Recent news reports have spurred concern that just touching fentanyl can be dangerous. Let's take a look at the chemistry behind this claim. Comedian Bill Maher recently attacked the fat-acceptance movement as a danger to public health, sparking ferocious criticism on social media. Sadly, few people recognized the most important point about Maher's commentary: he was right.

Show notes

Join ACSH directors of bio-sciences and chemistry Cameron English and  Dr. Josh Bloom as they break down these stories on episode 18 of the  Science Dispatch podcast:

A recent story about the bizarre symptoms of policemen, who were  exposed to street fentanyl, turned out to be anxiety attacks – not fentanyl poisoning. What happened? Yes, it's time for another Dreaded Chemistry Lesson From Hell!

Comedian Bill Maher is in trouble after attacking the fat-acceptance movement on his show recently. Not only was the segment hilarious, but it highlighted an important fact many people would rather not discuss: social-justice activists are rewriting science to protect their ideological commitments.