How quickly will I know whether or not I have food poisoning? [more inside]
posted by crapples on Oct 2, 2009 - 17 answers

This morning we saw a sign at Grand Canyon about a female condor that died from zinc poisoning following the ingestion of too many coins (presumably, it had been looking for sources of calcium in order to produce harder eggshells). Dad immediately declared that the given cause of death is untrue, since zinc in coins is inert. Prove him wrong, hive mind! [more inside]
posted by halogen on Jun 9, 2009 - 15 answers

[MythFilter]: Grandmothers always say never buy a dented can from the supermarket. Is there any truth to this today? [more inside]
posted by Funmonkey1 on Apr 16, 2009 - 34 answers

I ate some cheddar cheese with a pink bacterial plaque growing on it, could this be something that'll make me sick? [more inside]
posted by CTORourke on Mar 23, 2009 - 18 answers

The other day I accidentally stepped on a package of CFL lightbulbs, buried under a pile of clothing. When I looked at the package I saw that one of the light bulbs was broken, and noticed a small amount of powder escape while I was trying to dispose of it. Later I scoured the room but I couldn't see the powder anymore or find it on any of my clothing. I read online that if you get mercury on your clothing you're supposed to throw it out...but there was so much clothing on the floor that it would be a huge loss for me to throw all of it out, and I'm not sure where, or what amount, of mercury might have gotten on it. [more inside]
posted by unicazurn on Feb 5, 2009 - 18 answers

Aw crap, I left some salmon out overnight. Is it still safe to eat? [more inside]
posted by nímwunnan on Sep 12, 2008 - 34 answers

My baby recently tested quite high (but not at an emergency level) for lead. He had two tests in a row, so we're pretty sure they're correct. We've got all kinds of information on eliminating lead and we're doing everything we can, but we'd like to make a plan about assessing his progress and considering more serious steps like moving if it's not great. Does anyone know how fast one can expect blood levels to drop after removing the source of exposure?
posted by lgyre on Sep 3, 2008 - 13 answers

Can you get skin poisoning from a usually good lotion that's 'gone bad'? [more inside]
posted by skyper on Jul 5, 2008 - 11 answers

Can-I-Eat-This-filter: Is this jar of Muffaletta olive salad mix safe to eat? [more inside]
posted by melorama on May 11, 2008 - 24 answers

Calling all science types: Help me get a more sophisticated grasp of the "LD50" concept used to test the toxicity of substances. [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on Aug 8, 2007 - 17 answers

Bad memory makes me feel stupid. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 28, 2007 - 25 answers

Will catching NYC mice make my cats sick/dead? [more inside]
posted by unknowncommand on Sep 12, 2006 - 2 answers

I just ate some supposedly sealed processed cheese spread that I now have reason to believe has been open indefinitely. As in, quite possibly since leaving the packing place. What's the likely fallout? [more inside]
posted by weston on Feb 2, 2006 - 16 answers

Does natural gas alone kill? I need someone to explain how natural gas becomes carbon monoxide and why my pet is dead. [more inside]
posted by lunalaguna on Nov 16, 2005 - 25 answers

My friend's (strictly indoor) cat recently died of poisoning. Potential causes? [more inside]
posted by unknowncommand on Oct 31, 2005 - 14 answers

GasLeakFilter:
This evening, I installed the 1963 Kenmore Griddletop I'd purchased a few weeks ago into my kitchen. At the re-sell shop where it was purchased, I was shownthat all the burners worked, that there were no leaks (some sort of geiger counter). At any rate, I suddenly have a weird sort of sore throat, and I'm wondering if the damn thing isn't leaking. So: first, how do I determine if it's leaking, and two, what are the signs of low-level natural gas poisoning?
(I *did* shut off the gas valve and have range hood fan going, just in case)
posted by notsnot on Dec 13, 2004 - 14 answers