Making Sense of Chemical Stories

A briefing document for the lifestyle sector on misconceptions about chemicals

In Making Sense of Chemical Stories, chemical scientists identify and address six of the most prevalent misconceptions about chemicals in lifestyle commentary.

This is the first time that chemists have directly addressed the lifestyle sector. The briefing is not a “here’s the science” bit; rather, it is intended to open a conversation that promotes a stronger connection between lifestyle commentary and chemical realities.

To download a copy of the report please click here (pdf).

Hard copies of the briefing document are now available; order a copy here. For further information please contact .

If you need help with making sense of a chemical story, call
020 7478 4380

For more information about contributors please click here.

Coming soon: examples of how to evaluate claims about chemicals and their risks.

Detox

In January 2006, Sense About Science released a statement on ‘detox’ products along with a series of comments from scientists. Read the press release here. See some of the resulting press coverage here.

Last updated: June 09 2006

Sense About Science is an independent charitable trust promoting good science and evidence in public debates. We do this by promoting respect for evidence and by urging scientists to engage actively with a wide range of groups, particularly when debates are controversial or difficult. We work with scientists to respond to inaccuracies in public claims about science, medicine, and technology; promote the benefits of scientific research to the public; help those who need expert help contact scientists about issues of importance; brief non-specialists on scientific developments and practices. Sense About Science is governed by a Board of Trustees and run by a small office staff. We are supported by an Advisory Council and some 1,000 scientists and other specialists, ranging from Nobel Laureates to postdoctoral fellows, who are signed up to our database, Evidence Base. We also work with younger scientists in our VoYS (Voice of Young Science) programme, which you can read more about here.