The incredible ""glowing"" history of the ""Devil's element ""phosphorus
Discovered by alchemists, prescribed by apothecaries, exploited by ninth-century industrialists, and abused by twentieth-century combatants, the chemical element phosphorus has fascinated us for more than three centuries. It may even be the cause of will-o'-the wisps and spontaneous human combustion Now John Emsley has written an enthralling account of this eerily luminescent element. Shining with wonderful nuggets-from murders-by-phosphorus to a match factory strike; from the firebombing of Hamburg to the deadly...

This is the first book for general readers that offers clear guidance through the chemical minefields that can be present in food. While most people are sensitive to one or more chemicals in their diet, such as MSG, alcohol or caffeine, our bodies can usually tolerate modest amounts of these offending substances. If we know which chemicals give us a problem, we can usually avoid unpleasant bouts of nausea, headache, and diarrhea. This book helps identify the substances that can provoke a toxic response--ranging from benzoates to serotonin, sorbates, and tyramines--and explains why food...

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The incredible ""glowing"" history of the ""Devil's element ""phosphorus
Discovered by alchemists, prescribed by apothecaries, exploited by ninth-century industrialists, and abused by twentieth-century combatants, the chemical element phosphorus has fascinated us for more than three centuries. It may even be the cause of will-o'-the wisps and spontaneous human combustion Now John Emsley has written an enthralling account of this eerily luminescent element. Shining with wonderful nuggets-from murders-by-phosphorus to a match factory strike; from the firebombing of Hamburg to the deadly...