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Elements: Oxygen and Oxidation

Oxygen is the 'element of life' but it also makes the air that we breathe very dangerous and costly to operate in.

The 'element of life' also makes the air that we breathe a perilous and costly atmosphere to operate in. Prof Andrea Sella of University College London provides presenter Justin Rowlatt with a characteristically striking argument for why oxygen is so 'incredibly dangerous'.

Pawanexh Kohli, in charge of India’s national cold chain strategy, explains why the oxygen needs of fresh vegetables and fresh meat are very different. Physics polymath Baldev Raj unpicks the mystery of Delhi’s 1,600-year-old iron pillar, and explains just how damaging rust and corrosion can be. And, former 'smoke-jumper' Frankie Romero explains the mesmerising attraction of wildfires, and why stamping them out isn’t always a good idea.

(Photo: Wildfire in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

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18 minutes

Last on

Wed 29 Jul 2015 16:05GMT

Broadcasts

  • Wed 29 Jul 2015 07:32GMT
  • Wed 29 Jul 2015 16:05GMT

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