The Food Chain

The fertiliser that blew up Beirut

09 Sep 2020

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Following the Beirut explosion, we’re exploring the chemical that caused the blast - ammonium nitrate. It’s something many of us will have come across before, it’s in some of our antibiotics and used to feed yeast but it’s most commonly sold as a fertiliser. Graihagh Jackson examines how this substance has changed the world - feeding millions on the one hand, and fuelling warfare, pollution and biodiversity loss on the other.If you would like to get in touch, please email [email protected](Picture: Ammonium nitrate on petri dish. Credit: Getty Images/BBC)

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The Food Chain

The fertiliser that blew up Beirut

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other episodes from The Food Chain

Can I save the family restaurant?

The business of food tours

The craft of the cocktail

How to meal prep like a pro

Rethinking the potato

The food writers

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