It is more than 8 years since my last post!

My theory about models

I have had so many requests from my legions of fans to post more blogs. No really, there are a surprising number of people out there that read and re read my pastes... I mean posts ... and check in to see if I have added anything new.

So today's, and possibly this year's, new post should satisfy those fans. Basically it is this link about scientific theories.


Yep, this is another placeholder in case I need to move someone on from their argument by distraction. You know the one where they write, "it is only a theory". Amazingly, people still try to slip that one into an argument. They are often the same people who distract with, "it is only a model", without understanding that their lives would soon come to an end without models.

Stop Pretending That You Understand Evolution

All I wanted to do with this post was link to an article, but having written this title I am looking at it with admiration and fantasising about a blog with this title full of articles tearing apart the ridiculous Dunning-Kruger types who create evolutionary stories to justify whatever they like. I come across at least one example per day, where the proponent uses a confected evolutionary explanation to fit their own ideology and not only are they not scrutinsed or questioned sceptically but they are applauded.

To rectify such arrogance requires deconstructing their argument/story and providing a detailed explanation, with references, about how evolution has been found to work through 100 years of observation and experimentation - within 24 hours of being written so as not to be left unread. Then you have to deal with the denial and the further comments made from ignorance that follow.

So Here Is The Link

Having worked with Marlene Zuk many years ago I was drawn to read her book. This article gives a pretty good indication of the nature of the contents and I share the critique that it is sometimes trying to crack a nut with a sledgehammer. And here is an example of a paleofantasist with a poor grasp of the mechanics of natural selection and the details of human evolution.

Post to be referred to as needed

DDT MSDS

Here for all you msds fans


Sigma - C8894 www.sigma-aldrich.com Page 1 of 5
SIGMA-ALDRICH
SAFETY DATA SHEET
according to Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006
Version 3.1 Revision Date 08.04.2011
Print Date 31.08.2011
1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE SUBSTANCE/MIXTURE AND OF THE COMPANY/UNDERTAKING
Product name : 4,4′-DDT
Product Number : C8894
Brand : Sigma
Company : Sigma-Aldrich Pty. Ltd.
12 Anella Avenue
CASTLE HILL NSW 2154
AUSTRALIA
Telephone : +61 2 9841 0555 (1800 800 097)
Fax : +61 2 9841 0500 (1800 800 096)
Emergency Phone # : +44 (0)8701 906777 (1800 448 465)
2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Classified as hazardous according to criteria of NOHSC. - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE.
DANGEROUS GOODS.
Risk advice to man and the environment
Toxic if swallowed. Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed. Limited
evidence of a carcinogenic effect. Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.
3. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Formula : C14H9Cl5
Molecular Weight : 354.49 g/mol
CAS-No. EC-No. Index-No. Classification Concentration
1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane
50-29-3 200-024-3 602-045-00-7 T, N, Carc.Cat.3, R25 - R40
- R48/25 - R50/53
-
4. FIRST AID MEASURES
General advice
Consult a physician. Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
If inhaled
If breathed in, move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact
Wash off with soap and plenty of water. Take victim immediately to hospital. Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact
Flush eyes with water as a precaution.
If swallowed
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with water. Consult a physician.
Sigma - C8894 www.sigma-aldrich.com Page 2 of 5
5. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES
Suitable extinguishing media
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special protective equipment for fire-fighters
Wear self contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting if necessary.
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Personal precautions
Wear respiratory protection. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate
ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust.
Environmental precautions
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the
environment must be avoided.
Methods for cleaning up
Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers
for disposal.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling
Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols.
Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed. Normal measures for preventive fire
protection.
Storage
Store in cool place. Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Recommended storage temperature: 2 - 8 °C
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
Components with workplace control parameters
Components CAS-No. Value Control
parameters
Update Basis
1,1,1-Trichloro-
2,2-bis(4-
chlorophenyl)eth
ane
50-29-3 TWA
1 mg/m3 2008-08-20
Australia. Adopted National
Exposure Standards for
Atmospheric Contaminants
in the Occupational
Environment
Remarks National Commission documentation available for these values
Personal protective equipment
Respiratory protection
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a full-face particle respirator
type N100 (US) or type P3 (EN 143) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. If the
respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. Use respirators and
components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN
(EU).
Hand protection
Handle with gloves. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without
touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after
use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands. The selected
protective gloves have to satisfy the specifications of EU Directive 89/686/EEC and the standard EN 374
derived from it.
Sigma - C8894 www.sigma-aldrich.com Page 3 of 5
Eye protection
Face shield and safety glasses Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate
government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin and body protection
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to
the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Hygiene measures
Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the
product.
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance
Form solid
Safety data
pH no data available
Melting point 107.0 - 109.0 °C
Boiling point 260.0 °C
Flash point 72.0 - 77.0 °C
Ignition temperature no data available
Lower explosion limit no data available
Upper explosion limit no data available
Vapour pressure 0.0000021 hPa at 20.0 °C
Density 0.99 g/cm3
Water solubility no data available
Partition coefficient:
n-octanol/water
log Pow: 6.91
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Storage stability
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Materials to avoid
Oxidizing agents, Iron and iron salts.
Hazardous decomposition products
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions. - Carbon oxides, Hydrogen chloride gas
Other decomposition products - no data available
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Acute toxicity
LD50 Oral - rat - 87.0 mg/kg
LD50 Dermal - rabbit - 300.0 mg/kg
Remarks: Behavioral:Tremor. Behavioral:Muscle weakness. Behavioral:Ataxia.
Irritation and corrosion
no data available
no data available
Sigma - C8894 www.sigma-aldrich.com Page 4 of 5
Sensitisation
no data available
Chronic exposure
Limited evidence of carcinogenicity in animal studies
IARC: 2B - Group 2B: Possibly carcinogenic to humans (1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis(4-
chlorophenyl)ethane)
no data available
no data available
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure
CNS stimulation.
Potential Health Effects
Inhalation Toxic if inhaled. May cause respiratory tract irritation.
Skin Toxic if absorbed through skin. May cause skin irritation.
Eyes May cause eye irritation.
Ingestion Toxic if swallowed.
Target Organs Liver, Pancreas.,
Additional Information
RTECS: KJ3325000
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Elimination information (persistence and degradability)
Bioaccumulation Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) - 20 d
Bioconcentration factor (BCF): 46,670
Ecotoxicity effects
Toxicity to fish LC50 - Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow) - 0.01 mg/l - 96.0 h
LC50 - Lepomis macrochirus (Bluegill) - 0.01 mg/l - 96.0 h
LC50 - Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) - 0.003400 mg/l - 96.0 h
LOEC - Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) - 150 mg/l - 3.0 d
NOEC - Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) - 113 mg/l - 3.0 d
Toxicity to daphnia
and other aquatic
invertebrates.
Immobilization EC50 - Daphnia magna (Water flea) - 0.00108 mg/l - 48 h
Toxicity to algae LC100 - Scenedesmus quadricauda (Green algae) - > 20 mg/l - 7 d
Further information on ecology
Very toxic to aquatic life.
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Sigma - C8894 www.sigma-aldrich.com Page 5 of 5
Product
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional
waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and
burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber.
Contaminated packaging
Dispose of as unused product.
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
ADR/RID
UN number: 2811 Class: 6.1 Packing group: III
Proper shipping name: TOXIC SOLID, ORGANIC, N.O.S. (1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane)
IMDG
UN number: 2811 Class: 6.1 Packing group: III EMS-No: F-A, S-A
Proper shipping name: TOXIC SOLID, ORGANIC, N.O.S. (1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane)
Marine pollutant: No
IATA
UN number: 2811 Class: 6.1 Packing group: III
Proper shipping name: Toxic solid, organic, n.o.s. (1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane)
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
Labelling according to EC Directives
EC Label
Hazard symbols
T Toxic
N Dangerous for the environment
R-phrase(s)
R25 Toxic if swallowed.
R40 Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
R48/25 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed.
R50/53 Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment.
S-phrase(s)
S22 Do not breathe dust.
S36/37 Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves.
S45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the
label where possible).
S60 This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
S61 Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions/ Safety data sheets.
16. OTHER INFORMATION
Further information
Copyright 2011 Sigma-Aldrich Co. License granted to make unlimited paper copies for internal use only.
The above information is believed to be correct but does not purport to be all inclusive and shall be used
only as a guide. The information in this document is based on the present state of our knowledge and is
applicable to the product with regard to appropriate safety precautions. It does not represent any guarantee
of the properties of the product. Sigma-Aldrich Co., shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from
handling or from contact with the above product. See reverse side of invoice or packing slip for additional
terms and conditions of sale.

Intro!

When your hear or read something and you are compelled to say, "Gee. Aye.".