Environmental Chemistry podcasts

Melissa and Jam trace the chemistry of refrigerants from early hazardous compounds to chlorofluorocarbons and their replacements. They explain why a substance that cools effectively can still create environmental problems, and discuss the tradeoffs among ozone protection, climate effects, flammability and regulation.

Hosted by Melissa, Jam

This bonus crossover from Inflection Point examines carbon-capture approaches, their history and the limits of their contribution to climate mitigation. The discussion includes ocean-based approaches and the chemical processes involved. It is the publisher’s syndicated episode in the Stereo Chemistry feed, rather than a separate new recording.

Nature journalists discuss a chemical route that converts PVC waste into motor lubricant and engineered yeast that produces a potential cancer drug.

Charlotte Gerischer and Melina von Wenczowski examine how detergents remove stains, how washing products developed and what their ingredients do. They discuss fragrance, surfactants and environmental consequences, with source references covering phosphate replacements, biodegradation and microplastic release during textile washing.

Hosted by Charlotte Gerischer, Melina von Wenczowski

Mariana Kneppers, Patrick Walter and Frankie Macpherson discuss a new molecular-simulation result combining quantum computing with conventional computational methods. They also investigate how an everyday laboratory item can contaminate microplastics measurements, illustrating the importance of tracing unexpected results back to experimental materials.

Hosted by Mariana Kneppers

Anja Røyne discusses nitrogen, fertilizer production and the environmental consequences of changing the nitrogen cycle. Conversation in Norwegian.

Martin Wagner examines microplastics and chemicals associated with plastics, including their effects on natural ecosystems and human health. The conversation connects environmental toxicology with international negotiations on a plastics treaty and considers how changes in plastic production and use could address pollution.

Hosted by Marty Martin, Cameron Ghalambor