Hazards in our environment by Dr M Khalid Munir Hyderabad, India

Someone with diffuse and otherwise unexplained symptoms such as stomach upset, hair loss, and fainting spells or someone with heart disease may be concerned about how much mercury his or her body carries, since some studies link mercury to these problems. A change of diet can usually lower levels of mercury, if biomonitoring data indicates that an individual’s levels are high. Sample medical case

Lead Lead and lead compounds are used in storage batteries, ammunition, metal products (solder and pipes), roofing, gasoline, and devices to shield people from X-rays. Because of health concerns, lead had been BANNED from gasoline, ceramic products, paints for residential use, and solder used on food cans. Industrially, lead and lead-contaminated dusts are released into the environment from the burning of fossil fuels or waste. Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust from this type of paint are the primary sources of lead exposure in the home.

Cadmium In industry and consumer products, it is used for batteries, pigments, metal coatings, and plastics. Cadmium gets into the environment from the weathering of rocks and minerals that contain cadmium. Cadmium exposure can also occur from exposure to cigarette smoke.

Cadmium The kidney is a critical target for cadmium. Renal tubular damage and glomerular damage can be caused by high-dose chronic exposure Increased urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorus and decreased hydroxylation of vitamin D metabolites that accompany advanced tubular damage may result in overt, and often painful, osteomalacia or osteoporosis, typified by a condition known as “Itai-Itai disease” that afflicted women living in a cadmium-polluted region of Japan.

Antimony Acute inhalational exposure to antimony has been associated with irritation of the respiratory tract Antimony is used in storage batteries, solder, sheet and pipe metal, bearings, castings, and pewter. Antimony oxide is added to textiles and plastics to prevent them from catching fire. It is also used in paints; ceramics; fireworks; and in enamels for plastics, metal, and glass. Antimony gets into the environment from natural sources and from industry. Exposure to antimony can come from food, drinking water, or air. Inorganic antimony salts irritate the mucous membranes, skin, and eyes.

Hazardous chemicals in cosmetics, perfumes and soaps

Major toxic chemicals Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)/Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Mineral Oil Synthetic Fragrance Phthalates Imidazolidinyl Urea And DMDM Hydantoin Triclosan DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine) FD & C (Food Drugs and cosmetics) Color Pigments Propylene Glycol (PG), Ethylene glycol Isopropyl Alcohol

Major toxic chemicals These can cause: Premature aging Autism in children (a mental abnormality) Dermatitis Reduces immunity Asthma Headache GI disorders Hormonal disturbances

Major toxic chemicals These can cause: Premature aging Autism in children (a mental abnormality) Dermatitis Reduces immunity Asthma Headache GI disorders Hormonal disturbances

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)/Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) These are used as detergents and surfactants (an agent such as a detergent or a drug that reduces the surface tension of liquids so that the liquid spreads out, rather than collecting in droplets) and are found in soaps at car washes, cleaners for your garage floors and engine degreasers. Both SLS and SLES are utilized more extensively as one of the major ingredients in cosmetics, toothpaste, hair conditioners and about 90% of all shampoos. They cause allergies, GI disorders and also increase incidence of mouth ulcers

Mineral Oil Mineral oil is a frequent ingredient in commercial lotions, creams and baby care products. It is clear, liquid oil that has no scent and will not go bad. It is manufactured as a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil. Mineral oil is the surplus liquid and is a very copious product— therefore very cheap. This is a petroleum by-product that covers the skin just like wrapping it in plastic wrap. It clogs the pores, hindering the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting skin disorders and decelerates skin function and cell development

Synthetic Fragrance The chief motive for using synthetic fragrances is the price. Synthetic lemon “fragrance,” is approximately 50 times cheaper than true lemon oil. These are just some of the synthetic fragrances that you might find: Chronic Asthma, long term allergies, skin irritation, dermatitis, headaches

Synthetic Fragrance Amyl acetate (banana fragrance) Benzophenones 1 to 12 (rose fragrance) Lilac fragrance (anisyl acetate) Mango fragrance Melon fragrance Methyl acetate (apple fragrance) Methyl salicylate (wintergreen or birch fragrance) Plum fragrance Peach fragrance Phenethyl alcohol (rose fragrance) Strawberry fragrance Verataldehyde (vanilla fragrance)

Phthalates Known technically as dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of 1,2- benzenedicarboxylic acid. Here are a few personal care products that may contain phthalates and which kind: Powders- (DEP) Fragrances- (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DEP) Nail Polishes- (DBP) Hair Preparations- (BBP, DMP, DBP, DEP) Skin Creams- (DEP) Deodorants- (DBP, DEP) Aftershaves- (DEP)

Imidazolidinyl Urea And DMDM Hydantoin These two chemicals are just two of many preservatives that release formaldehyde. They are called formaldehyde-donors. It is a colorless liquid or gas with a pungent, distinctive smell. It is utilized in the manufacturing of synthetic resins that are used in adhesives for plywood, particle board, coatings for paper and textiles, in molded plastics and for sound insulation. It is extensively used in the textile and apparel industries Formaldehyde is used in nail treatments and polish, moisturizers, eye make-up, lip make-up, shaving products, shampoos and even a couple of baby shampoos.

Imidazolidinyl Urea And DMDM Hydantoin Vairous names: Paraformaldehyde Benzylhemiformal 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol 5-bromo-5-nitro-1, 3-dioxane Diazolidinyl urea Quaternium-15 DMDM Hydantoin Sodium hydroxymethyl Glycinate Methenamine

Triclosan Antibacterial chemical - included in detergents dish washing fluids, soaps, deodorants, cosmetics, lotions, creams and toothpaste. The EPA, USA registers it as a pesticide Prolonged exposure to antibacterials causes emergence of ‘superbugs’ that it cannot kill.

DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine) DEA may react with other ingredients in the cosmetic recipe to form a particularly potent carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). NDEA is promptly absorbed via the skin and has been connected with stomach, esophagus, liver, and bladder cancers. Formation of N-Nitrosodiethanolamine from Diethanolamine in Lake Water and Sewage has been demonstrated

FD & C (Food Drugs and cosmetics) Color Pigments Most of these chemicals are suspected carcinogens. Hair dye- After applying the product and then thoroughly washing hands with soap and water, the hands still retained from 26 mcg to nearly 80 mcg of lead per hand

Propylene Glycol (PG), Ethylene glycol Ethylene glycol is also a component in photographic developing solutions, hydraulic brake fluids and in inks used in stamp pads, ball point pens and print shops. In other words, it is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of make-up, hair products, lotions, after-shaves, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpastes. American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends a maximum level of 127 milligrams of ethylene glycol per cubic meter of air (127 mg/m3) for a 15-minute exposure.

Isopropyl Alcohol One of the foremost defenders your body has against viruses, bacteria, fungus, and other perpetrators, is the natural acid mantle your skin possesses. Isopropyl alcohol is a solvent and denaturant (substance that changes another substance's natural qualities), and has an uncanny ability to completely strip the natural acid mantle of your skin, leaving you more vulnerable to the aforementioned issues.

Isopropyl Alcohol Isopropyl alcohol is added to various hair color rinses, body creams, hand lotions, after shave lotions, fragrances and many other cosmetics. Isopropyl alcohol’s primary function is to increase absorption of other ingredients in such cosmetics as body, face, and hand lotions, yet only serves to rob your skin of its natural pH and acid mantle. In exposure studies with rats, inhalation had the capacity to paralyze the respiratory system, cause broncho-constriction, hypotension, and in some cases, fatalities.

Chemicals which lead to infertility and miscarriage in pregnancy

Bisphenol A (BPA) –plastics and resins Chlorinated hydrocarbons – dioxins, furans, PCBs Chemicals which lead to - Developmental defects in newborns Altered puberty onset

Organochlorine pesticides –DDT/DDE, linuron Pesticides –herbicides,rodenticides,fumigants Cigarette smoking-passive and active Chemicals which lead to - Developmental defects in newborns Altered puberty onset

Food products causing infection Salad dressings Condiments such as mustard and mayonnaise Chopped garlic-in-oil, garlic-flavored oil Butter (whipped, not whipped, salted, unsalted) Margarine Cheeses Filled bakery products (crème vs. cream) Vegetable-stuffed breads, such as focaccio

Food contamination Fruits and vegetables to be washed properly due to pesticide contamination

Food adultration Govt of Gujarat’s initiative Adulteration in milk, edible oils, ghee, iodized salt, sweets, sherbet, silver foil on sweets and colour mixing in spices can be detected easily with the kit

Food adultration Rasoi Kasauti (Hindi) This book provides information and comes with a kit to identify common adulterants that generally make their way into the food people routinely consume. Dr Brijmohan Sharma Society of Pollution and Environmental Conservation Scientists, Dehra Dun

Biomonitoring Biomonitoring of an individual person is the detection of toxic substances in body. It is difficult and expensive ( about Rs ) for 1 person. Collective biomonitoring and periodic lab tests for a group of individuals more that 50 is both feasible and cost effective.

Computer games Heightened aggression has been shown in individuals who have played video games. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis, and other muscle disorders have been reported by gamers. Computer games have been shown to contribute to social isolation.

Computer games Games have the ability to lower a person’s intelligence level. Games cause lack of development due to lack of social interaction with other people. Possible transference of aggression brought on by games to the real world ( killing of dozens of people by 'healthy, civilized' teenagers not criminals.

Television A 1982 report by the National Institute of Mental Health confirmed an earlier study done by the Surgeon General and concluded that "Violent programs on television lead to aggressive behaviour by children and teenagers who watch those programs." Children's TV shows contain about 20 violent acts each hour.

Television From the National Institute on Media and the Family: By the time an average child (one who watches two to four hours of television daily) leaves elementary school, he or she will have witnessed 8,000 murders and over 100,000 other acts of violence The American Psychological Association passed a resolution in February 1985 warning the public of the potential dangers of children watching violent television programs.

Television The Research Showed children who watch a lot of violence on television are: More likely to become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others. More fearful of the world around them. More likely to behave in aggressive ways toward others.

Television More likely to act out the violence they see on TV in playing. More likely to commit violent acts. Less bothered by violence in general. More likely to eventually commit crimes.

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