Criminal

Black and white illustration of a glass cup full of milk.

The Poison Squad

Episode #364

2026-05-08 05:00:00

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In 1902, twelve young men volunteered for a government experiment. They agreed to eat food laced with chemicals like formaldehyde, borax, and salicylic acid every day, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They were called The Poison Squad.

Deborah Blum’s book is The Poison Squad.

Episode transcript will be posted here as soon as it is available.