Hidden Toxins and Harmful Chemicals UNIT 1: Environmental Health

What is a toxin? Definition: Toxin: One of a number of poisons produced by certain plants, animals, and bacteria. Etymology: The word "toxin" comes from the Greek "toxikon“ (arrow poison) and was introduced to medicine by Berlin physician Ludwig Brieger in 1888 as a name for poisons made by infectious agents. 1

What are some examples Toxins?

What is a toxic Chemical? Examples? Toxic Chemical: Substances that can cause poisoning, severe illness, birth defects, disease, or death when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed by living organisms. An airborne mass of gases, vapors, fumes, or aerosols of toxic materials. 2

How Do People get Exposed to Toxins and chemicals? ( what ways can harmful agents enter our bodies?) How Frequently? 1) Inhalation/Breathing 2) Dermal (skin) 3) Ingestion (by drinking or food)

Chemical Disaster in Bhopal,India

Chemical Disaster in Bhopal,India What happened in Bhopal? Summary: On the night of Dec. 2nd and 3rd, 1984, a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India, began leaking 27 tons of the deadly gas methyl isocyanate. None of the six safety systems designed to contain such a leak were operational, allowing the gas to spread throughout the city of Bhopal. Half a million people were exposed to the gas and 20,000 have died to date as a result of their exposure. More than 120,000 people still suffer from ailments caused by the accident and the subsequent pollution at the plant site. These ailments include blindness, extreme difficulty in breathing, and gynecological disorders. The site has never been properly cleaned up and it continues to poison the residents of Bhopal. 3

What about our small exposure to toxins and chemicals everyday?

Nail Polish Nail polishes may look harmless, but veiled beneath those attractive colors is a toxic chemical known as DBP, a member of the phthalate family. DBP has been shown to cause birth defects in mice. This substance has already been banned in Europe and some of the cosmetic companies within the U.S. are taking steps to remove this potentially dangerous chemical. 4

Hair Dye Dark hair dyes Studies by the World Health Organization have shown that chemicals found in hair dyes increase the risk of cancer. 5 The most recent studies show that use of dark hair dyes, but not light ones, may increase risk of developing a certain type of lymphoma. * *These new findings are currently being published in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) monograph volume 99.

Misleading Advertisements

Rio Hair Relaxer Dangerous Cosmetics CBS News Correspondent Roberta Baskin Reports A late night infomercial sold hundred of thousands of hair straighteners that claimed to be "all natural and chemical free" and so safe the shows hosts ate some! The product was "Rio" hair relaxer. Bobbie Timberlake used it for several months. Her hair started coming out in clumps and within three weeks she was bald. All over the country, Rio girls were losing their hair. 6

Magazines: Ingredient Check: 1. nAod2QN7FQhttp:// nAod2QN7FQ 2.

Sources Sources: 1 "Toxin Definition." Medical Dictionary Definitions. 02 Mar WebMD. 8 Mar "Pesticides: Glossary." US Environmetal Protection Agency. 06 June EPA. 8 Mar Lapierre, Dominique and Javier Moro. Five Past Midnight in Bhopal. The Bhopal Medical Institute Leong. Kristie M.D.. "Are They on Your Bathroom Shelf Right Now?," Associated Content: Health and Wellness 29 Jan Mar Laurance. Jeremy. "Hair Dyes Found To Increase Cancer Risk," Environmental Research Foundation 27 Mar Mar Baskin. Roberta. "Dangerous Cosmetics," CBS News CBS Worldwide Inc. 8 Mar 2009