There are two myths that are a constant irritation in the fight against pseudoscience. One is the equating of the term 鈥渃hemical鈥� with 鈥渢oxin,鈥� the other is the suggestion that 鈥渘atural鈥� substances are superior to 鈥渟ynthetics.鈥� Everything in the world is of course made of chemicals. Whether we are talking about water or nerve gas, we are talking about chemicals. Whether or not a chemical is 鈥渢oxic鈥� depends on its molecular structure and on the extent and type of exposure. It does not depend on whether that chemical was made by a chemist in the lab or by 鈥淢other Nature鈥� in a bush. The only way to determine toxicity, whether that chemical is naturally occurring or synthetic, is by studying it appropriately. One more thing. Toxicity is in no way related to the complexity of a chemical鈥檚 scientific name or to whether that name is easy or hard to pronounce.
Here is an interesting perspective on these issues by chemistry teacher Enrico Uva, in a piece entitled, ,聽as featured on his 听飞别产蝉颈迟别.
