This is the last episode of Critical Science.

It's not goodbye. It's more like, "until we meet again."

Thank you for listening! Thank you for watching! It's been a lot of fun. I learned a lot, and I hope you have, too. I also hope you had some fun along the way. This actually ran a LOT longer than I ever expected.

I appreciate everyone's support!

I fully anticipate creating a new podcast series at some point. I've got some ideas, some things are more concrete than others.

Be excellent to each other, and I'll see you all again real soon.

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Summary

In this episode, Dr. Lyle Burgoon discusses a study published in JAMA Network Open that claims a link between prenatal exposure to certain chemicals and metabolic syndrome risk in children. He analyzes the study using the seven tips he discussed in a previous episode and highlights several flaws and limitations in the study design. Dr. Burgoon emphasizes the importance of being skeptical and checking biases when evaluating scientific studies. He criticizes the media, particularly CNN, for sensationalizing and misrepresenting the study's findings, causing unnecessary fear and confusion among the public.

Takeaways

Be skeptical and evaluate scientific studies based on their scientific merits, regardless of who funded them.

Consider the study design and sample size when assessing the reliability and generalizability of the findings.

Recognize the limitations and uncertainties in observational studies and the inability to establish causation.

Check biases and avoid confirmation bias when interpreting scientific studies.

Be critical of media reporting on scientific studies and consider waiting for scientific consensus before drawing conclusions.

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I get asked now and then if I have tips to help people spot poorly done science, bad science, or what I prefer to call pseudoscience.

Here are 7 tips!

If you want to see the infographic, visit our Critical Science website (https://critscipod.com/episode-25-7-tips-for-assessing-science/).

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Summary

In this episode, Dr. Lyle discusses benzoyl peroxide and the recent concerns raised by Valashur about the presence of benzene in benzoyl peroxide products. He explains that Valashur has a history of testing products for impurities and notifying the FDA. However, the benzene was only found in products that were exposed to high heat for extended periods, which is not how they are supposed to be stored. Dr. Lyle emphasizes that one molecule of benzene is not toxic and that there are thresholds for toxicity. He also highlights the importance of educating the public about the science and not relying on activist talking points.

Takeaways

Benzene was found in benzoyl peroxide products that were exposed to high heat for extended periods, which is not how they are supposed to be stored.

One molecule of benzene is not toxic, and there are thresholds for toxicity.

It is important to educate the public about the science and not rely on activist talking points.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for storing and using benzoyl peroxide products.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to benzoyl peroxide

00:30 Valashur's testing and FDA involvement

01:24 Benzene presence in benzoyl peroxide

03:23 No safe level of benzene exposure

04:06 Toxicity of one molecule of benzene

05:05 Thresholds for toxicity

06:04 Long history of benzoyl peroxide use

06:29 Detection of impurities over time

07:56 Educating the public about thresholds

08:25 Activist talking points

09:23 DNA repair mechanisms

10:24 Xeroderma pigmentosa and DNA damage

11:24 Homeostasis and cell signaling

12:22 Dose-response curves

13:20 Oncotic necrosis and cell death

14:48 Relevance of Valashur's study

19:00 Following manufacturer's instructions

19:53 Take-home messages

References:

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP13984

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Summary

In this episode of the Critical Science podcast, Dr. Lyle Burgoon discusses the topic of drug testing, with a focus on methamphetamine testing. He explains the different forms of methamphetamine and how they affect the brain. Dr. Burgoon highlights the presence of levomethamphetamine in over-the-counter products and the potential for false positive methamphetamine tests. He emphasizes the importance of accurately listing all medications, including over-the-counter drugs, when undergoing drug testing. Dr. Burgoon also explores the probability of drug use based on positive test results and the challenges of interpreting drug tests. He concludes by emphasizing the need for due diligence and additional confirmatory tests in the drug testing process.

Takeaways

Methamphetamine has two forms: levo and dextro, with only the dextro form having psychoactive effects on the brain.

Over-the-counter products containing levomethamphetamine can lead to false positive methamphetamine tests.

Positive drug tests do not necessarily indicate drug abuse, as there is a high probability of non-users testing positive.

Confirmatory tests, such as enantiomer-specific tests, are necessary to accurately determine the presence of methamphetamine.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Drug Testing

00:28 Different Forms of Methamphetamine

01:53 How Methamphetamine Affects the Brain

03:10 Levomethamphetamine in Over-the-Counter Products

04:07 Ramifications of Positive Methamphetamine Tests

05:59 Forgetting to List Over-the-Counter Drugs

06:26 Drug Testing in Various Settings

07:24 Probability of Drug Use Based on Positive Test

08:20 Bayes' Rule and Prevalence of Drug Users

09:46 Probability of Positive Test for Non-Users

12:37 Performance Characteristics of Drug Tests

13:34 Low Probability of Drug Use Given Positive Test

16:37 High Probability of Non-Users Testing Positive

18:10 Challenges of Drug Testing and Confirmatory Tests

20:27 Enantiomer Specific Test for Methamphetamine

23:21 Additional Steps in Drug Testing Process

25:31 Importance of Due Diligence in Drug Testing

26:01 Positive Test Does Not Indicate Drug Abuse

26:58 Orthogonal Assay for More Accurate Results

27:25 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

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Happy New Year! New Year, New You, right? Well, it wasn't quite in the new year, but the American Academy of Pediatrics may have re-made themselves into a Merchant of Fear. In December 2023, the AAP released a statement that although GMOs themselves are fine, glyphosate (which is commonly associated with GMO crops) is not okay for children. In fact, the AAP says that glyphosate "Recent studies show that glyphosate is present in many foods, especially ultra-processed foods (more information, below). It also shows up in 80% of urine samples taken from people in the U.S.—including kids as young as 6 years. This suggests that most children and adults are consuming foods that may increase their chances of developing cancer."

So this creates a confusing dynamic: do I trust the US EPA and the US FDA, or do I trust the AAP? The US Government and the AAP can't both be right. The US Government says that glyphosate does not cause cancer. Yet the AAP says glyphosate may increase the chances of children developing cancer. Who's right here?

The science is clear -- the US Government is right, and the AAP is pushing a chemophobic agenda. Find out more in today's podcast!

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Thanks for your patience while I was away on travel. I spent a couple of weeks in Korea presenting at 2 conferences, including 1 Keynote Address. And somehow one of my kids speaks better Korean than me!?! (It's not hard to speak better Korean than me). Anywho, big few weeks in the toxicology world. The European Commission granted another 10 year approval to glyphosate! I did not have that on my bingo card! The Biden-Harris Administration is looking to replace all of the lead service lines -- that's simply fantastic news!

Now, on to more our topic of the day -- phosphatidylethanol or PETH (see why we just call it PETH; I trip over that word and I have a biochemistry background, which means I am trained to say big words like that). Anywho, today's topic is this: PETH and its use in Family Law cases. I've seen it mostly when a parent, in a co-parenting situation, has temporary custody of a child and is not allowed to drink in the presence of the child. I'm going to talk today about why PETH is not the right biomarker to use in these cases.

And I want to give a shout-out to the Toxicology Education Foundation (TEF; toxedfoundation.org). Fully disclosure: I'm on the Board and I am the Secretary. Part of the TEF's mission is to educate the public about toxicology in our daily lives. We want to raise the level of scientific literacy in our country. But we can't do it without your help. Please consider donating to TEF -- small dollar donations are always welcome.

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