Free Essay

Toxicity Paper

In:

Submitted By bogiefan54
Words 1033
Pages 5
Toxicity Paper

Chemicals that produce systemic toxicity do not always produce the same degree of toxicity in all organs. Instead, one or two organs are usually the target of most of the toxicity produced by the toxic chemical in question. These are the target organs for the toxicity for that chemical. The organ that is the target of toxicity most commonly involved in systemic effects is the central nervous system followed by skin, blood circulation system, liver, lungs and kidneys. Muscle and bones as well as the male and female reproductive systems often suffer debilitating impacts from many substances. Target organs can also refer to an organ is targeted to receive a therapeutic dose of irradiation. An example would be beaming gamma rays to the renal area of a kidney for the treatment of a tumor. Another example of a target organ is the thyroid gland, when the anterior pituitary gland secretes a thyroid stimulating hormone (Silbergeld, 2011). Target organ toxicity is when a toxins adverse effects or disease states manifest in specific organs in the body. The higher the cardiac output, the higher the exposure. Organs each have specialized tissues and cells with differentiated cellular processes and receptors while some toxicants and metabolites may have specific reactive pathways. As pointed out previously, toxicants do not always affect all organs to the same extent. There could be several sites of action and target organs for a particular toxicant. The same organ could be targeted by more than one toxicant. The target organ may not even be where the toxicant is stored. The degree of toxic concentrations in target organs is determined by the toxicokinetic processes (Silbergeld, 2011). One of the most important organs in the body is the liver. The liver plays a key role when it comes to detoxifying foreign substances or toxins. Through a series of chemical reactions the liver detoxifies harmful substances, especially from the gut. Converting fat soluble toxins into water soluble substances that can be excreted in the urine or the bile is the role of various enzyme activities in the liver, depending on what the particular characteristics of the end product is. Many of the toxic chemicals entering the body are fat-soluble and can only be dissolved in fatty or oily solutions and not in water. Because of this, it is hard for the body to excrete. Fat tissues and cell membranes, being composed of fatty acids and proteins are susceptible to fat soluble chemicals. Toxins may be stored in these fatty tissues of the body for years before being released during times of exercise, stress or fasting. The liver removes many unwanted microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites from the blood and keeps them from building up in the blood and invading deeper parts of the body ("Tuberose.com ", n.d.). There are many ways to become afflicted with chronic disease of the liver. One of these is autoimmune hepatitis, a liver disease found more commonly in women. It is usually caused by an abnormality of the immune system. Progressive inflammation and destruction of liver cells are caused by autoimmune hepatitis’ abnormal immune activity. This usually leads to cirrhosis of the liver. If an infant is born without bile ducts or born lacking vital enzymes for controlling sugars causing the liver to accumulate an excess of sugars, this condition can also lead to cirrhosis. Lee (2014), “On rare occasions, the absence of a specific enzyme can cause cirrhosis and scarring of the lung” (What are the common causes of cirrhosis?). Unusual reactions to some drugs, chronic heart and prolonged exposure to toxins are less common causes of cirrhosis. Certain parts of the world such as Northern Africa a common cause of liver disease and cirrhosis is when the liver becomes infected with a parasite (Lee, 2014). Exposure to sulfur dioxide occurs from breathing it in the air. It affects the lungs and at high levels may result in burning of the nose and throat, breathing difficulties, and severe airway obstructions. Burning of the nose and throat, breathing difficulties, and severe airway obstructions occurred in miners who breathed sulfur dioxide released as a result of an explosion in a copper mine. Asthmatics have also been shown to be sensitive to the respiratory effects of low concentrations of sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide is toxic to plants by being absorbed through the stomata into the mesophyll of the leaves. When a tolerable concentration is exceeded the cells become inactive, drying up, and then dying ("Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry", 1999).
Pulmonary diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma have been associated with exposure to asbestos. The lung is the primary target organ for asbestos toxicity, altering the immune system at occupationally relevant concentrations (Rosenthal, 1999). Some of the toxic effects of asbestos on plants are changes in the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoid, total free sugar, starch, and protein. Also an increase in efflux of electrolytes, lipid peroxidation, cellular hydrogen peroxide, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activity was found. Trivedi (2004), "Contrary to effect on these parameters, a dose- and time-dependent increase in efflux of electrolytes, lipid peroxidation, cellular hydrogen peroxide, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activity was found” (Asbestos toxicity in plants).
Exposure to gasoline, which is a toxic substance, can affect your health. Toxic effects can include burns, vomiting and diarrhea. In very large amounts, drowsiness or death can all be caused by drinking gasoline. Gasoline affects plant when poured directly onto plants because it has compounds that produce carbon monoxide and other gases that harm plants. In addition to this, it pollutes the environment making plant growth difficult.

References
Silbergeld, E. (2011). ILO encyclopedia of occupational health and safety. Retrieved from http://www.ilo.org/oshenc/part-iv/toxicology/mechanisms-of-toxicity/item/75
Tuberose.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://tuberose.com/Liver_Detoxification.html
Lee, D. (2014). MedicineNet.com. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/cirrhosis/page3.htm
Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. (1999). Retrieved from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=252&tid=46
Rosenthal, G.J. (1999). US national library of medicine national institutes of health. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10372416

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Toxicity Paper

...Toxicity Paper ENV/410 Toxicity Paper Chemicals that produce systemic toxicity do not always produce the same degree of toxicity in all organs. Instead, one or two organs are usually the target of most of the toxicity produced by the toxic chemical in question. These are the target organs for the toxicity for that chemical. The organ that is the target of toxicity most commonly involved in systemic effects is the central nervous system followed by skin, blood circulation system, liver, lungs and kidneys. Muscle and bones as well as the male and female reproductive systems often suffer debilitating impacts from many substances. Target organs can also refer to an organ is targeted to receive a therapeutic dose of irradiation. An example would be beaming gamma rays to the renal area of a kidney for the treatment of a tumor. Another example of a target organ is the thyroid gland, when the anterior pituitary gland secretes a thyroid stimulating hormone (Silbergeld, 2011). Target organ toxicity is when a toxins adverse effects or disease states manifest in specific organs in the body. The higher the cardiac output, the higher the exposure. Organs each have specialized tissues and cells with differentiated cellular processes and receptors while some toxicants and metabolites may have specific reactive pathways. As pointed out previously, toxicants do not always affect all organs to the same extent. There could be several sites of action and target organs for a particular...

Words: 1037 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Toxicology

...Toxicology Student’s Name Affiliation Date 1. Snakebites are often treated by administering specific “anti-venom”. Explain how “anti-venom” may work. Snakes are cold blooded animals that are found in tropical and subtropical countries. Snakes have some glands in their mouth that produce very poisonous substance and its even worst through their bites. The seriousness or extend of the poison depends on various factors. One is the body tissue where the venom is injected. It’s more serious when the poison is injected directly to the blood vessels meaning it spreads very quickly through blood transmission in the rest of the body. The extent of the poison also depends on the part of the body where the snake bites. Snake bites that occur on parts of the body with a lot of adipose tissue are less poisonous than in the parts with less adipose tissue. This is because these tissues are low in blood supply hence they end up delaying transmission or the spread of poison to the rest of the body (Timbrell, 2009) Specific anti-venom is used in treating snake bite since the severity of the poison depends on the snake type and other factors. Since the venom is injected in the blood the anti-venom should also be administered to the blood In order to neutralize the poison. This means that it might have some side effects if not well used since its injected directly to the blood. The anti-venom neutralizes the poisonous venom injected...

Words: 715 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Electrochemistry and Equilibrium

...Application Assignment #3 – Equilibrium and Electrochemistry According to Chemicool chelation is the “formation or presence of bonds between two or more separate binding sites within the same ligand and a single central atom” (chemicool). Chelation therapy is a process in which reduction of toxic effects of metals within the human body take place. The agents often bind to the toxic ions and form structures that are then easily excreted. Most agents are made up of atoms like Sulphur, Nitrogen and Oxygen functioning as ligand atoms. As metals release toxic substances into the human body the need for an agent to try and reduce the toxicity for our well being is necessary. Most of the heavy are toxic such as lead, copper and zinc which accumulate in the human body. The process of chelation causes a chemical reaction involving a shift of equilibrium to remove the metals before the organs get permanently damaged. The shift in equilibrium occurs because when the agent is introduced to the body to try and reduce the effects, with the body being the system it tries to re-establish equilibrium by shifting from left to right. Barium sulphate is usually made by a combination of a solution of the ions and salts of barium and sulphate. Barium being a heavy metal is highly toxic. In colour it is a white solid with a crystal structure. The reason that Barium sulphate salt is used is that the ions of Barium are opaque to x-rays and can absorb the rays much better than other compounds. Without...

Words: 982 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Lack Water

...effects from working with a particular material it is necessary to understand difference between "toxicity" and "hazard". 1. TOXICITY is the ability of a substance to produce an unwanted effect when the chemical has reached a sufficient concentration at a certain site in the body. The more toxic a material is, the smaller the amount of it necessary to be absorbed before harmful effects are caused. The lower the toxicity, the greater the quantity of it necessary to be absorbed. The toxicity of a chemical is generally measured by experiments on animals (quite often rats). If it is measured in terms of the amounts of material necessary to cause death in 50% of the test animals. These values are called LD50 (lethal dose) or LC50 (lethal concentration), and are usually given in weight of material per kg of body weight or airborne concentration of material per set time period respectively. 2. HAZARD is the probability that this concentration in the body will occur. Toxicity is an inherent property of the material. A material may be very toxic, but not hazardous, if it is handled properly and is not absorbed into the body. On the other hand, a material may have a very low toxicity, but be very hazardous. Example: 1. An open container of an acid is much more hazardous than a closed container of the same material. 2. Two liquids may possess the same degree of toxicity but present different degrees of hazard:- One material may be non-irritating to the eyes and nose...

Words: 2380 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Toxicology

...burned in residential backyard burn barrels in rural areas, are never accounted for. To the residential homeowner burning trash has been for centuries the means of disposing refuse in areas that do not have organized garbage collection. As the modern industrial chemical production continues to increase, making products that make everyday life in the modern world more accessible, burning that waste stream at low temperatures products highly toxic compounds releasing not only in the air via smoke but also in ash runoff, and smoke fume condensation on possible food sources. Countless toxicological studies have been conducted on dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs). That information will be leveraged here to compliment the toxicity and pollutant effects of these chemicals, yet the emphasis is not political, environmental, nor humanitarian. It is about highlighting the non-industrial emissions, choices in some cases, and for others the realization, that these toxic chemicals are a result of disposing product we receive from the modern industrialized world. Dioxins, furans and PCBs are unwanted by-products of burning of household trash, oil heating, burning wood stoves, and diesel exhaust smoke, and certain industrial processes. The EPA, now considers non-industrial burning of household wastes in burn barrels to be the largest emissions source of dioxins, furans and PCBs (Dow Chemical, 2014). Dioxins, furans, and PCBs, are all considered toxic to...

Words: 1525 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Case Study: Lyler Furniture

...Case Study: Lyler Furniture BUS/372 March 14, 2011 Case Study: Lyler Furniture On a daily basis, many companies share similar issues concerning waste removal, working conditions and health hazards to employees. Small companies in a city area release toxic chemicals into the environment with little concern that their small contribution will have any effect at all and never consider the bigger picture. Lyler Furiture is such a company plagued with best practice issues and violations of EPA regulations. With careful analysis of operational practices, investigations will provide structure corrections and deployment of best practices of plant operation. No company is above the law and understanding the operational process of Lyler Furniture will allow proper analysis to implementing environmental policies. Lyler Furniture operational workflow is sequential as many other manufacturing facilities. Materials are delivered in the loading bay, stored in the materials room until requested. Manufacturing department appropriates needed material from the material rooms for construction, and then the finishing room completes the manufacturing process with stains, paints, and finishes. After which, orders are processed in the office and finished products are loaded on delivering vehicles in the loading bay to complete consumers’ orders. During the operational process, numerous Environmental Protection Association (EPA) violations and poor work were discovered...

Words: 1353 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Eggplant Leaves to Floor Wax Intro

...Introduction: One of the many problems of any home or infrastructure is keeping the shininess and the cleanliness of the floor and only thing that make this possible is the product called Floor wax it is applied on floor surfaces to make it scuff-resistant, water-resistant, slip resistant and glossy. It provides a thin, protective and hard surface layer when applied to flooring. In this modern age, floor polishes is made from synthetic materials and with the advancement of synthetics so does floor wax, each passing day over half a million people are using floor wax even as we speak someone is using it! But of all the useful traits that floor wax gives us at our floors there are always disadvantages to it and the first disadvantage is our environment, since floor wax is made out of highly synthetic materials its is non-biodegradable. The second is that floor wax contains toxic substances that can either cause severe damage to humans and animal life if came in contact. Third is prolong exposure of its unpleasant smell can cause different problems throughout the body. Fourth is that it can cause damage to the plants since floor wax contains volatile substances that can block plants from doing photosynthesis Despite the recent efforts by various organizations efforts to educate the public about the toxic dangers of floor wax no one seems to believe them due to the effectiveness of the modern floor wax but still its harming our environment. Our research aims to put these problems...

Words: 324 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Material Safety Data Sheet of Citric Acid

...(LD50): Acute: 5040 mg/kg [Mouse]. 3000 mg/kg [Rat]. Section 3: Hazards Identification Potential Acute Health Effects: Hazardous in case of eye contact (irritant), of inhalation (lung irritant). Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant, sensitizer), of ingestion. The amount of tissue damage depends on length of contact. Eye contact can result in corneal damage or blindness. Skin contact can produce inflammation and blistering. Severe over-exposure can produce lung damage, choking, unconsciousness or death. Potential Chronic Health Effects: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (sensitizer). CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available. The substance may be toxic to teeth. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the...

Words: 1802 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Compentency Goal#1

...A child’s growth and development is continually shaped and influenced by their environment. One of the easiest ways to develop and preserve a safe and healthy environment for children is to abide by state licensing standards. These licensing standards are there to ensure that child care environments are safe and healthy for young children. Not only is the physical environment included in licensing, but teacher qualifications and the quality of educational programs are also included and equally important. I believe that teachers and caregivers with a solid background in childhood development, effective communication skills, and the ability to create developmentally appropriate learning experiences are much more beneficial to a young child’s education than someone without one or all of these qualities. Teachers also need to be educated on the different developmental stages of children to be able to eliminate any potential safety hazards. In my preschool classroom, I check for sharp objects or corners, broken toys, and toxic cleaning materials that may be left at a child’s reach. A safe environment provides children with the ability to explore and learn through play. A child care facility should take building security very seriously. Our building have a keypad installed for parents and employers to enter an exit the building. This is effective in controlling unauthorized entrance of strangers or unwelcome visitors. Surveillance cameras are also installed to monitor who is either...

Words: 545 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Chemical Toxicity Paper

...Michael Donma Chem/Tox Research/Term Paper Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) Table of Contents Executive Summary………………………………………………………………3 Chemical Name…………………………………………………………………….3 Physical Properties……………………………………………………………….4 Common Uses……………………………………………………………………….5 Exposure Limits…………………………………………………………………….6 Toxicokinetics……………………………………………………………………….6 Acute Effects…………………………………………………………………………7 Chronic Effects………………………………………………………………………8 Personal Protective Equipment……………………………………………..9 Industrial Hygiene sampling………………………………………………..10 Reference……………………………………………………………………………11 Safety Data Sheet ……..……………………………………………………….13 Chemical Name and Executive Summary The chemical I chose to write my paper about is Polychlorinated biphenyl or PCB. Polychlorinated biphenyls were manufactured from 1929 until it was banned in 1979. PCB’s were used in hundreds of things because of their non-flammability, chemical stability, high boiling point, and electrical insulating characteristics. PCB’s range in form from light oil to a heavy wax. The largest producer of PCB was the Monsanto Corporation who marketed it under the trade name, Aroclor. For years and years PCB was thought as a chemical who had unlimited advantages to human life and no negative consequences. It was used any way possible and was discharged just the same way. Many people simply discarded it into rivers, waterways, and landfills. It wasn’t until 1960s when the world began to question the health consequences...

Words: 1366 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Memo of Advice

...Memo of Advice Dear Andrew, Regarding your dilemma concerning paying the $1,000.00 fine or defending the charge in court, I believe that you will be better off paying the fine, as opposed to the high likelihood that if you go to court, you may be fined an even greater amount – a fine not exceeding $5,000.00. The situation is currently not in your favor and it would be difficult to swing the jury to your side. On the 1st December 2010, you collected and drove a truckload of contaminated soil from Melville and parked it there overnight. Although you intended to drive it away to a remote waste dump the next day, you were in breach of section three of the Contamination Avoidance Act due to the fact that the toxic waste was in the vicinity of the Swan River. A municipal inspector discovered your breach of the law and made a report to the Police, which subsequently led to charges being brought upon you. The facts of the case in dispute are namely whether or not leaving the toxic waste near the river overnight is considered storing, and whether you were really in breach of the Act. The fact that you were carrying toxic waste that might cause harm to the surroundings or compromise water resources is indisputable. Even more so because the offence was committed near the Swan River, to make matters worse, you did not own a permit for it as well. Since this issue took place in Welshpool, which is in Western Australia, the Contamination Avoidance Act applies. In addition, since this...

Words: 955 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Toxins

...THE RESEARCH QUESTION The study should be based on finding out the effects of toxins on living organism. This research will try to find out the positive and negative effects of enzyme toxin in plants and animals. The excessive use of toxins can be harmful to the environment while the use of controlled amounts of this same enzyme can be useful to the environment. Toxins are said to be any poisonous substances that are produced in the living cells. Organic chemist Ludwig Brieger is said to be the first chemist to use the word toxins in the 19th century. Small molecules, proteins and peptides are all said to be toxins. These organisms are capable of causing diseases on the contact with any contact or absorption by body issues. Toxins greatly vary in the degree of severity from the minors such as bee stings to majors such as botulinum toxins Toxins are also constituents that are made by plants and are harmful to humans. But some toxins can be used in small doses and help in medication but become poisonous when used in large amounts DESCRIPTION OF IDENTIFIED PERSPECTIVE (natural sciences) In the natural science subjects such as biology and chemistry, toxins are well described and experimented on by scientists. In chemistry toxins are said to be chemical agent depending on their method of production. On the other hand, toxins that disturb organisms may be said to be biologically produced. Toxins can be either biologically or chemically produced depending on the mode of production...

Words: 1581 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

A Mixture of Tibanglan or Tubli (Derris Elliptica )and Nami or Intoxicating Yam (Dioscorea Hispida) as an Alternative Rodenticide

...A Mixture of Tibanglan or Tubli (Derris Elliptica )and Nami or Intoxicating Yam (Dioscorea Hispida) as an alternative Rodenticide An Investigatory Project Presented to: Department of Education As an Entry to the: 2014-2015 INTEL Philippines Science Fair Crislyn Keith P. Torrefiel (Proponent) Mrs. Irene M. Cruz Research Adviser J.P. Rizal St. Bagong Silangan Quezon City Bagong Silangan High School ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This investigatory project would never been accomplished without the effort, assistance and financial support of the people who willingly helped the researcher. In due recognition of all those who contributed to the success of this study, the researcher extend her utmost gratitude ad heartfelt appreciation of the following: Mrs. Angelita Regis, Principal IV of Bagong Silangan High School Sir. Edwin Abengoza, Head Teacher III of Science Department Mrs. Irene M. Cruz, my Science teacher, who motivated and guided me on making such project, My family, who gave me assistance and financial support. ABSTRACT Rats and mice are house pests that carry germs-causing diseases. To eliminate them many resort to buying some expensive commercial rodenticide. Dispensing this commercial rodenticides is synthetically prepared. This commercial and synthetic rodenticides are also harmful to our environment. To solve this problem, the researcher had thought of innovations in controlling these house pests safely & effectively. This study was conducted...

Words: 6092 - Pages: 25

Free Essay

Chalk Out of Eggshell

...CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION A.BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Chalk used in our classroom comes in slender sticks approximately. Lesson are often presented to entire classes on chalk board using sticks of chalks because this method has proven cheap and easy. Many people say that the egg are many uses like compost for naturally fertilized soil because eggshell is quickly decomposed in the compost pile and add valueable calcium and other minerals to the soil in the process. It can be use as a non toxic material for garden purposes and you can make powder the eggshell to less bitterness of coffee. We the researcher as prove the study in natural materials produced a non toxic substances product that can be utilized in every day life without harmful effect ouer body. B. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Commercialized of local product are increasing and prices is almost the big aspect to be considered. The government don’t have enough support and this things bring difficulties in schooling to the stundent in the school. C. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY A conducted study as a remedy for the common problem in making of marketable and durable chalk without spending much and gain more profits. We study and opens another way to save and make more chalk for our business affairs and also make some raw materials that we thought to be transformed into a much improved and...

Words: 275 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Dovjjvevjehvvwiwgfuywgfudgwdu

...Explain the legal requirements and regulations for ensuring the health, safety and security of those employed in business? There are number of legislations and regulations that make sure the working environment is safe place to work.  Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is to make that all employers provide healthy and safe workplace, this is for their employees but also for other people visiting the workplace.  It also requires that the business does not give out any toxic substances into the public and general atmosphere.  It requires employees to take reasonable precautions for the safety of others within the workplace as themselves.  The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 would have an impact on a business and as this would force them to make sure that the building that they are working at meets the standards of Health and Safety. This would include things like fire exits to make sure that the working environment is safe but also things like no smoking and smoking areas to make sure that the working environment is healthy.  According to this Act the business is impacted as it needs to sort their cleaning products such as bleach or other products away from day to day work and this type of products were kept in a locked room to make sure that employees or people visiting the building would not be able to have access to them. Also their waste is collected and handled by a specialist company to make sure that all the toxics would be controlled by a specialist company...

Words: 331 - Pages: 2