Sodium Bicarbonate Therapy

Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is a white, odorless, crystalline powder which is used on an everyday basis in many households (1). The amphoteric and abrasive properties of the compound allow it to clean surfaces and deodorized effectively without being too chemically harmful. Some common household uses of sodium bicarbonate include fridge deodorizer, whitening toothpaste, and as a substitute other harsh chemical cleaning agents (2). It is also responsible for the rise in flour during baking because of the production of carbon dioxide (2).

(5)

 

Although many people know sodium bicarbonate as baking soda and about its regular uses, its medical uses are not as well known. Sodium bicarbonate is used as a treatment for metabolic or lactic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis is a condition which occurs when there is too much acid being produced by the body or when the kidneys are not effectively removing enough acid to keep the appropriate pH balance (3). Lactic acidosis, on the other hand, is when there is a buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream and is most often produced when oxygen levels drop (3). Treating metabolic acidosis with sodium bicarbonate has been a controversial area due to the belief that its treatment may be more harmful than beneficial. One of the main reasons to the controversy is that the removal or ventilation of the carbon dioxide produced needs to be removed in a more efficient manner (3). In addition, it is also believed that the sodium bicarbonate therapy is not controversial itself, but the controversy arises when the severity of the acidosis is not property diagnosed (3). Some aspects of the condition that should be evaluated more thoroughly in order to treat with bicarbonate acid are what are the exact effects of the condition and where it manifested from, is it severe enough to start bicarbonate therapy, how much is the exact calculated amount that should be given, and how much carbon dioxide should would be produced and would it be more beneficial than harmful (3)? After thorough evaluation it is okay to start sodium bicarbonate therapy, however the thought it that many health professionals overlook the evaluation and proceed to therapy (3).

An alternative to sodiumbicarbonate therapy may be with the use of THAM (tromethamine). The difference between these two is that sodium bicarbonate increases PCO₂ (partial pressure of carbon dioxide), whereas THAM may decrease it. Therefore, THAM may be more beneficial for patients with high levels of PCO₂ (4).

References:

1. SODIUM BICARBONATE - PubChem. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/516892?from=summary#section=Drug-Information
2. Myers, R. (2007). The 100 most important chemical compounds a reference guide. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press.
3. Sabatini, S., & Kurtzman, N. (2009). Bicarbonate Therapy in Severe Metabolic Acidosis. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 20(4), 692-695.
4. Boyd, J., & Walley, K. (2008). Is there a role for sodium bicarbonate in treating lactic acidosis from shock? Current Opinion in Critical Care, 14, 379-383.

Image Reference:

5.       [Print Photo, Sodium Bicarbonate]. Retrieved from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5XHYkUJ5gaXe8aoOcLqLcTxOtweV5-627zjYf14csgxpQ99rDRPo7QhXCayl_eX2aE6ykqNVZw8dZFxkJO0jxgRMVJPPjVCLm7JsTOUn1M8WS4pmHVsFdbjKMCRFgoJKr4myDPKsuMU/s1600/Baking+Soda+uses.jpg

 

Sodium Citrate

The three essentials and what they have in common. By Thomas Herd

You’ve just woken up and hopped in the shower and you think to yourself , “what keeps this shampoo thick?”. The answer is more than likely sodium citrate. The citrus taste in the powerade you downed after basketball or the morning after a long night also probably came for the additive sodium citrate. When you get home from school and take out some frozen food and cook it, the reason it’s still fresh has to do with the actions of preservatives, like sodium citrate(5). Shampoo, sports drinks, and ready to heat meals, what would we do without them.

Sodium citrate, referred to in the IUPAC convention as trisodium;2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate, is consumed by people everyday(7). This consumption is allowed because using all the current information sodium citrate is considered to be completely safe. It is not believed to a carcinogen. It is not believed to harm the environment. It is also not believed to be bio accumulative(8). However, just like anything else, if you have enough of it, it can kill you. The lethal dose that killed 50% of mice is 6mmol/kg and in rats is 5.5mmol/kg(5). However if you are taking sodium citrate pills for stomach relief there can be some serious side effects. These side effects range from swelling to seizures(1).

Sodium citrate is made from the chemical processing of citric acid. When you mix sodium carbonate with citric acid a reaction occurs that causes a fizzing reaction. When the fizzing ends the solution is allowed to evaporate. What is left is sodium citrate(7).

You come across is everyday and it is neither bad for you, or necessarily good for you. It is simply a chemical making product making your everyday products possible.

References

(1) citric acid and sodium citrate health encyclopedia norris cotton center. Retrieved on Nov. 14, 2014 from                    http://cancer.dartmouth.edu/pf/health_encyclopedia/d03952a1

(2)Disappearing Milk and Perfectly Melting Cheese. Retrieved on Nov.14, 2014 from                       http://doctorbrookschemistry.net/disappearingmilk/

(3)GRAS substnaces (SCOGS database). Retrieved on Nov.14, 2014 from                                http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/SCOGS/ucm260742.htm

(4)Lofty,W et al (2006) Citric Acid Production by a Novel Aspergillus Niger Isolate: II. Optimization of Process          Parameters Through Statistical Experimental Designs; Biosource Technology 98.(2007) 3470-3477

(5)O'Neil, M.J., (Ed.). (2006). The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals (14th ed.).             NJ: Merck

(6)Osol, A. and J.E. Hoover, et al. (eds.). Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. 15th ed. Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack       Publishing Co., 1975., p. 802

(7)Sodium Citrate – PubChem. Retrieved on Nov.14, 2014 from                                               http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6224?from=summary#section=Physical-Description

(8)Sodium Citrate, Skin Deep Cosmetics Database Environemtal Working Group. Retrieved on Nov. 17, 2014      from http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/706027/SODIUM_CITRATE/

Caffeine

Caffeine

Yelizabeta Dmitriev

What is caffeine? Where does it come from? What does it do? Those are all question you may have asked yourself before; none of the answers are difficult to find although some are a bit surprising.

Caffeine is chemical found in over 60 different plants, including coffee beans, tealeaves, coco plants and kola nuts, and is most often extracted from the plants themselves.¹ While caffeine can be synthesized, scientists agree that it is simpler to extract caffeine from plants through decaffeination as plants create it far more efficiently then we could ever do in a laboratory.²

Caffeine is an adenosine receptor antagonist, which simple means it that is makes our neurons send out signals that increase blood flow and slowing dopamine absorption.⁴ Increased blood flow gives us the jolt we expect with caffeine, while dopamine, a neurotransmitter, stimulates happy feelings and it is what gives caffeine its addictive properties.⁴ Caffeine, in small dose, can have positive effects on our bodies. Such as relieving headache pain; an increased blood flow caused by caffeine can often help relive some of the pain of a vascular headache.⁴ Caffeine has also been used to stimulate hair growth in blading men thus it has been used as an additive in some shampoos.⁷ Caffeine is also being added to shampoos because it has been shown to counter the effects of excess testosterone, which is a known cause of male baldness.⁷ Another interesting use for caffeine is in the break down of cellulose. Caffeine has been infused into women’s stockings with the promise that it would smooth the dimple caused by cellulose. While this may seem far-fetched caffeine has actually been shown to stimulate the lipolysis process and reduce fat cells that dimple the in skin.⁸ Although caffeine has many positive effects on our bodies it can also cause us harm; apart from being addictive, caffeine in large does can cause serious health effects, such as insomnia, anxiety, nausea and many others.²

Figure 1: Caffeine Overdose Symptoms.
Source: Haggstrom M. Primary Symptoms of caffeine
 overdose. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine#mediaviewer/
File:Main_symptoms_of_Caffeine_overdose.svg (accessed
December 8, 2014). 

Caffeine is such a versatile compound in our day-to-day lives that it is important to know where it is and what it purpose is. Enjoying a cup of coffee wont hurt anyone, but like every chemical, it is best enjoyed in moderation.   

References  1 Medicine in my Home: Caffeine and Your Body. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/UCM200805.pdf (accessed October 24, 2014)
2 Caffeine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine (accessed October 24, 2014)
3 Adenosine Receptors. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adenosine_receptor (accessed October 24, 2014)
 4Brain, Marshall, Charles W. Bryant and Matt Cunningham.  "How Caffeine Works"  01 April 2000.  HowStuffWorks.com. http://science.howstuffworks.com/caffeine.htm   (accessed October 24, 2014.)
5 Caffeine. In Merck index 13th edition. O’Neil M. Smith A. Heckelman P. Obenchain J. Ganllipeau J.; Arecca M. Merck research laboratories division of Merck & CO., INC. Whitehouse Station: New Jersey USA, 2001; pp 275
6 Caffeine. In Encyclopaedia of Clinical Toxicology; Rossoff I.; The Parthenon Publishing Group: New York, USA, 2002; pp 176-180
7 Fischer TW.; Hipler UC.; Elsner P.; Effect of caffeine and testosterone on the proliferation of human hair follicles in vitro, 2007. Pubmed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17214716 (accessed October 24, 2014)
 8 Nuno H. C. S. Silva; Inês Drumond; Isabel F. Almeida; Paulo Costa, Catarina F. Rosado; Carlos Pascoal Neto; Carmen S. R. Freire; Armando J. D. Silvestre. Topical caffeine delivery using biocellulose membranes: a potential innovative system for cellulite treatment. Springer Link, 2013 http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10570-013-0114-1#page-1 (accessed October 28, 2014) 
9 Laurie Barclay, MD. A Scientific solution to Unsightly Cellulite. Life Extension Magazine, 2008. http://www.lef.org/magazine/2008/8/a-scientific-solution-to-unsightly-cellulite/page-01  (accessed October 28, 2014)

Propylene Glycol-A wonder chemical

Ever wonder what’s in those smoke machines you see at concerts or in the electronic cigarettes (e-cigarette) that are extremely popular these days. What is responsible for the “smoke” or “fog” is a chemical called propylene glycol (1).  Inside the e-cigarette or fog machine, propylene glycol is heated and forced into the atmosphere under pressure to create a “fog” or “haze” (2). It is a very impressive chemical reaction that results in something as simple as smoke. Propylene glycol at room temperature is found in a liquid state and has a very sweet taste (3). Since it is in a liquid state propylene glycol is usually mixed with distilled water inside the machines because they mix well together (3).  

Along with its ability to create “fog” propylene glycol is used in several other places because of its unique properties to attract and retain moisture by absorbing it from the nearby air(4). It is also used as a preservative in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals mainly to retain moisture (5). Propylene glycol is also a part of the mixture in antifreeze, (5) who knew. It’s simply amazing how one chemical can have so many applications. This is where questions start to arise, how toxic is propylene glycol? Is it a danger to our health?

Just by looking at how people are exposed to propylene glycol via several routes one might think that eating so much of a chemical would be a bad thing. However, propylene glycol has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is generally recognized as safe (1). The lethal dose for humans is estimated at 15g/Kg (5). If somebody weighed 130 pounds they would need to consume about 885 grams of propylene glycol. That is quite a number. However, this would have to be over a short period of time as propylene glycol is quickly metabolized in the body into lactic and pyurvic acid and is filtered by the cleansing organs known as the kidney’s and excreted through urine (5). On the other hand, if someone really wanted to overdose on propylene glycol they would experience convulsions, cardiorespiratory arrest, coma, and haemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) (6). Let me tell you that none of these are pleasant.  Another common side effect of propylene glycol is skin irritation. Some individuals could be allergic and if they are exposed to it through products, such as cosmetics then they could experience mild irritation like a rash (4). The message to take from all of this is that you should never play with chemicals no matter how safe they are considered to be. Besides, trying to avoid propylene glycol is next to impossible. Do not worry it is a safe chemical and we need it for the many products we use today. So, the next time you’re hanging with your friends and you see an e-cigarette or fog machine you can say that you know the chemistry behind it. 

Photo reference:

Nevit, D. (2008). Dry-Ice-09560.jpg. [Photograph] Retrieved December 2, 2014, from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dry-ice-09560.jpg

Williams, J. (2014). Vaping an Electronic Cigarette [Online Image] retrieved December 8, 2014, from http://www.ecigclick.co.uk/?s=electronic+cigarette

References

1.       Bright, D. A. (2007). Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines for Propylene Glycol: Environmental and Human Health - Discussion Document (PN 1394). Winnipeg, MB, CAN: Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. Retrieved from http://www.ebrary.com

2.         Helmenstine, M. A. (2014). Atomized Glycol Fog: Smoke Machine Chemistry. Retrieved December 2, 2014, from http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingswork/a/smokemachines_3.htm

3.       CSID:13835224, http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.13835224.html (accessed 21:12, Oct 12, 2014)

4.       Propylene Glycol (n.d.) In Wikipedia Retrieved October 12 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propylene_glycol#Production

5.       Vulava, V. M. (2005). Propylene glycol. In P. Wexler (Ed.), Encyclopedia of toxicology (second edition) (pp. 544-547). New York: Elsevier. http://library.mtroyal.ca:2055/http://library.mtroyal.ca:2055/10.1016/B0-12-369400-0/00806-1

6.       World Health Organization. (1995).  Basic Analytical Toxicology  Retrieved October 21, 2014 , from http://www.who.int/ipcs/publications/training_poisons/basic_analytical_tox/en/

That Toxic Chemical Is So Cute, Where Did You Get It?!

⁵

Did you know there is a chemical found in our clothing that is both toxic to fish and wildlife when it enters the water system and poses risks to our health? Neither did I! Nonylphenol ethoxylate is a chemical used during the production of textiles, as well as cosmetics, paints and coatings, prewash spotters, metalworking fluids and more¹. Greenpeace did a study in investigating the presence of NPE chemicals within products of popular fashion brands. Levi’s, Zara and Jack and Jones are a few clothing companies who were found to have the highest concentration of  NPE in their clothing². Why is this so alarming? Let’s first start with a basic question of what exactly NPEs are.

It is a man-made substance formulated by reacting two chemicals called nonylphenol and ethylene oxide¹. While NPEs do not pose much harm themselves, when the chemical breaks down, it releases the nonylphenol which is extremely toxic. The issue is that it sticks around for a long time and harms fish and wildlife³. In addition, nonylphenol is known as a cancer-causing chemical, causes irritation to our lungs, digestive system, skin and eyes, and disrupts the harmony of our hormones. ³

The main purpose of using NPEs is the fact that they are a surfactant, meaning they allow substances that don’t naturally mix well (like oil and water) to be able to disperse evenly within a liquid⁴. Therefore, during the textile process, it is most commonly used during the dying process allowing chemicals to mix well together and create perfect solutions for dyeing. While it is possible to wash out 99% of NPEs out of our clothing, the chemical then breaks down into the water system and continues its toxic cycle in harming fish and wildlife. While there are substitues¹, NPEs are the cheapest surfactant to use, meaning companies will most likely continue to use them. It’s important to be aware and investigate just exactly what you’re purchasing when buying that cute top or jeans during your next retail therapy experience.

References

1. Chemical Compliance Team. Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPE) in Imported Textiles. [Online] (2013), 1, Environment Agency. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/

attachment_data/file/296853/13_04_29_Rpt__NPE_textiles_summary_report_LIT_7721__5b9cd4.

pdf (accessed December 3, 2014).

2. Greenpeace Finds Toxic Chemicals on Leading Clothing Brands in China. [Online] (2012). China Economic Review, ShinoMedia. http://library.mtroyal.ca:2081/docview/1178808863?pq-%20%20%20%20%20%20origsite=summon (Accessed December 3, 2014).

3. Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (2011). http://www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia

/Nonylphenol+and+Nonylphenol+Ethoxylates (Accessed December 3, 2014).

4. Nonylphenol (NP) and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs) Action Plan. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2010). http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/RIN2070-ZA09_NP-NPEs%20Action%20Plan_Final_2010-08-09.pdf (Accessed December 3, 2014).

5. Nike and Adidas Take a Green Step: Water-less Dyeing Technology The New Global Textile Trend. [Online Image]. Consumer Instinct. (2012). http://www.consumerinstinct.com/nike-and-adidas-take-a-green-step-water-less-dyeing-technology-the-new-global-textile-trend/ (Accessed December 3, 2014)

Acetone

Acetone

by: Khi Sam

Have you ever looked at nail polish removers and seen the word acetone on it? What is acetone? Well it is a chemical that can be found both in nature and created in a laboratory. It is used in a laboratory to produce other chemicals. Used in products like coatings, inks and lacquers for furniture and automotive finishes (2). Finally it is used as a solvent which is why it works wonders for being in a nail polish remover (1).

Acetone can be found both in nature and in a laboratory. In a laboratory there are several ways it can be created. One way is through a process called cumene peroxidation, in this process cumene is oxidized to hydroperoxide and then split in two to get acetone and a phenol (4). The next method is called Isopropanol dehydrogenation, Isopropanol is acetone with an extra hydrogen in it. Therefore it we take the hydrogen away it becomes acetone (4). In nature it can be found in metabolic processes like a forest fire and volcanic eruptions (2). The interesting thing about acetone is that it can be found naturally in animals simply through metabolizing the fats found in their bodies. The produced acetone is then used to break down other carbohydrates and fats to get energy for the bodies. This means that everyone has some acetone in their body by natural means (4). 

Now the most important question is, is acetone dangerous for humans? Well like previously said acetone is found naturally in animals including humans. The body creates and then excretes it out. The first method for excreting acetone is by just breathing it out, this will get almost all the acetone in the body out. The remaining acetone is then excreted out through the urine (4). This means that acetone is generally safe for human use but it does have side effects if not used correctly. If a person becomes overexposed to the chemical it can also have health effects because acetone is a volatile and flammable chemical (3).

Health effects from acetone overexposure:

-Irritation in throats, nose, lungs and eyes if exposed through the air (4). 

-Irritation in skin if exposed to skin and may lead to skin cell damage (4).

-If exposed at even high concentration may lead to headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion and unconsciousness (4).

-Direct exposure to wounds may cause vomiting of blood and unconsciousness (4).

Acetone is a generally safe chemical to use but like all chemicals it should be used responsibly.   

References:

(1) Coetzee, J. F., and Chang, T. H. (1986) Recommended methods for the purification of solvents

and tests for impurities acetone. Pure & Appl. Chem., Vol. 58, pp. 1535-1540. http://pac.iupac.org/

publications/pac/pdf/1986/pdf/5811x1535.pdf.

(2) Government of Canada, Environment Canada, Health Canada. (2014) Screening Assessment

of Acetone. Retrieved November 12, 2014 from, http://www.ec.gc.ca/ese-ees/default.asp?

lang=En&n=CB62CB1D-1#toc09.

(3) O’Neil, M. J., et al. (2006) The Merck Index (Fourteenth edition). An encyclopedia of chemicals,

drugs, and biologicals. Pp. 61. NJ. Merck Research Laboratories.

(4) U.S. Departement of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Agency for Toxic

Substances and Disease Registry. (1994) Toxicological Profile for Acetone. Retrieved November 12,

2014 from, http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp21.pdf.