Our new coworker has been hanging out a lot with another coworker who is known as a liar, drama generator and just generally selfish and hurtful person. Because he is initially quite charming, she has no idea of his "other side." Do I tell her what everyone else knows or is that just talking trash and I should let her draw her own conclusions?
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posted by abirdinthehand
on Mar 22, 2013 -
28 answers
I'm trying to figure out what to do about an acquaintance now, who used to be a good friend, but is now just manipulative, lying, and spiteful.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 9, 2013 -
23 answers
The workers renovating the unoccupied twin (semi-attached) house adjoining ours have been using various solvents of unknown origin. Whatever they are, the smell is terrible. I peeked through the windows of the house and it looks like they might be sealing the floors with polyeurothane. They're not ventilating the house and they close all the windows at night. Due to health concerns we have left the house and are staying at a hotel for the night. I would like to know what risks, if any, there exist from these kinds of fumes, what I can do to resolve this, and whether it's at all possible to get some kind of compensation from the house's owner.
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posted by Deathalicious
on Dec 4, 2012 -
35 answers
What is the mechanism by which calories gained from eating unnatural foods, i.e. foods full of chemicals and preservatives, changes a person's appetite or metabolism, leading to weight gain?
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posted by davisnot
on Jun 11, 2012 -
14 answers
I'm an depressed employee in what I think could be defined as a toxic work environment. Another opportunity is popping up elsewhere - why does it feel so hard to jump ship?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 8, 2012 -
23 answers
I shouldn't have eaten it filter: I ate a couple of handfuls of raw soybeans. Afterwards, I googled for things to do with raw soybeans. That's when I learned that you really should not eat raw soybeans. Am I in any danger?
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posted by Cat Pie Hurts
on Feb 24, 2012 -
7 answers
Rookie Mistakes with New Cookware Filter: I was so excited to use my shiny new enamel Le Creuset oven pan that I forgot to wash it before using it to roast some vegetables. Aside from probably getting some warehouse dust in my food, is this in any way dangerous / unsafe?
posted by a small part of the world
on Feb 21, 2012 -
11 answers
With all the rain we have had lately, there are a lot of mushrooms growing in the woods. I started reading about mushroom hunting and some mycologists claim that Chicken Mushrooms are reasonably safe to pick & eat. I recalled that there was an oak tree nearby that had been felled by Hurricane Irene, so I walk out to it and look. Sure enough, what I am fairly certain is a
Laetiporus Sulphureus growing from the snapped trunk.
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posted by smoothvirus
on Sep 28, 2011 -
32 answers
Help, I need tips or advice on ways to prepare myself to be around a toxic person at an upcoming family gathering.
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 18, 2011 -
49 answers
I'm under the impression that I have some sort of clinical, WAY beyond rational fear of being poisoned. My food, my drinks- even the air itself seems to be conspiring to kill me day in and day out. It's begun to interfere with my normal daily life. Is there anything I can do to overcome this? Anything to keep me from staying up half the night on account of panic attacks?
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posted by Krazor
on Feb 26, 2011 -
13 answers
Phthalates, VOCs, BPA in plastic and cans, the list goes on. I changed my habits in an attempt to avoid all those things. Now it's high amounts of BPA that rub off of sales receipts. Any advice that could help me chill out? I'm exhausted.
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posted by allisonrae
on Jan 1, 2011 -
17 answers
My house has lead paint. Today most of the windows were replaced, and the people who installed them were supposed to vacuum up the lead paint chips. I don't think they did. What should I do?
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posted by Chicken Boolean
on Nov 23, 2010 -
18 answers
As part of my job, I interview lots of engineering candidates (but the field doesn't really matter). One of my concerns is hiring manipulative personalities (blaming, perpetual victim, passive/aggressive, covert-aggressive, untreated personality disorders, etc). What are the best things to ask to spot trouble ahead of time?
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posted by ssqq
on Oct 21, 2010 -
38 answers
what makes a workplace good / healthy for staff? In response to this
question and numerous others on the green, plus my own experiences of being relentlessly treated badly by those above, below and around me in organisations; I am curious what are the elements that make a good workplace? What are some examples of such workplaces that I could do my own research on?
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posted by MT
on Oct 18, 2010 -
15 answers
I'm starting a new job and my previous job has a terrible, toxic work environment. I tried to avoid getting infected, but it has effected me and I need help re-programming myself to be a happy, healthy, positive, collaborative co-worker.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 18, 2010 -
9 answers
If you have ever been involved with someone who turned out to be dangerous, what were the things you realize in hindsight were warning signs?
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posted by tel3path
on Sep 18, 2010 -
65 answers
Having an outdoor wedding in Bay City Michigan the end of June and I am wondering if anyone knows of an effective and safe way to eliminate mosquitoes from the area for several hours? I really want to be sure no pets, people or the environment itself are toxic, I just want the nasty blood suckers to leave myself and the guests alone!
posted by gypseefire
on Mar 30, 2010 -
8 answers
I'm in a crappy work situation and I know that the ultimate solution involves leaving my job, but how can I cope with this particular situation in the meantime?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 28, 2009 -
9 answers
The salon next door is leaking fumes into my projection booth. Am I going to die?
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posted by bjork24
on May 6, 2009 -
3 answers
I made (delicious!) mashed sweet potatoes in a conventional stove-top pot, covered the pot with Reynolds aluminum foil, then put it in a still warm but off-position oven (simply to save stove-top and counter space for the moment while wanting it to stay at room-temperature). Retrieving the pot a few hours later, I found that the inner surface of the foil had turned a light brown. It was also moist from the condensation, but had remained clean, unoiled, unburnt. I've cooked quite a bit and never seen this. What could be causing such discoloration, and is it a worrying symptom (of, say, toxins in the foil)?
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posted by taramosalata
on Dec 14, 2008 -
6 answers
Why does this stereo mini to RCA adapter have a obscure image icon that indicates hazardous waste?
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posted by silsurf
on Nov 17, 2008 -
6 answers
Help me find a research-based list of substances and /or ingredients that are or could be harmful to children in amounts normally found in households.
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posted by paselkin
on Jul 14, 2008 -
4 answers
Can you help me find this vaguely-described song featuring/based on a cover of Britney Spear's
Toxic?
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posted by chudmonkey
on Jul 2, 2008 -
6 answers
Looking for a historical example of someone trying to build up an immunity to mercury poisoning (and obviously failing dismally).
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posted by monkeyforest
on Jan 15, 2007 -
3 answers
Is it unhealthy to ingest/breath laser printer toner? Just wondering how much could affect someone's health.
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posted by svdodge
on May 5, 2006 -
7 answers
How unhealthy is it (in terms of residual toxins, etc.) to have an exterminator come around? And are there any realistic alternatives? (more inside)
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posted by bingo
on Sep 5, 2004 -
6 answers