Hydrogen Peroxide, are you Friendly? - Austin Van Dam

Hydrogen Peroxide, are you Friendly?

Austin Van Dam

(4)

The friendliness of hydrogen peroxide depends highly on what concentration we are interacting with. Do you know the saying, “I can only handle that person in small doses”? Well, same thing goes for hydrogen peroxide because at high concentrations (above 10%) it can be corrosive to people’s eyes, mucous membranes, and skin (1). Now, if high doses of hydrogen peroxide are somehow ingested or inhaled, it may also cause “seizures, cerebral infarction, or cerebral embolism” (1). Despite having extremely negative results when we are exposed to high concentrations of this chemical, hydrogen peroxide is quite useful in our society. When hydrogen peroxide is broken down it releases a lonely atom called nascent oxygen, and we use this type of oxygen to destroy bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms (2). This characteristic of hydrogen peroxide puts the chemical to good use in the pulp and paper industry by using it to bleach the materials (2). Furs, textiles, feathers, and hair are all other examples of things that are also bleached by hydrogen peroxide (2).

                When it comes to exposing hydrogen peroxide to us human beings, it may be somewhat friendly since it is a chemical that destroys bacteria but, we can only handle it in small doses. Solutions with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide concentration are used as over-the-counter topical antiseptics (1). These bottles that contain this specific solution are commonly applied to cuts or any type of open wound in order to sterilize and potentially speed up the healing process. But, is hydrogen peroxide just pretending to be nice, even at small doses? Even though this product is commonly used as an antiseptic, there are very few studies that have shown hydrogen peroxide’s true efficiency in healing and removing bacteria (3). After reviewing the few studies conducted, hydrogen peroxide does not hinder the healing process but does not reduce the amount of bacteria in a wound either (3). The solution is better off to be used to loosen up dirt and dead skin in a wound (3). So is hydrogen peroxide, even at low doses, a true friend?        

References: 

(1)  Agency of Toxic Substances & Diseases Registry. Hydrogen Peroxide,   2014. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MMG/MMG.asp?id=304&tid=55   (accessed   November 5th, 2014)   

(2)  Chemical Compounds. Schlager, N.; Weisblatt, J.; Newton, E. D., Eds…;   Thomson   Gale: Farmington Hills, MI, 2006; pp. 365-366.

(3) Drosou, A.; Falabella, A.; Kirsner, S. R. Antiseptics on Wounds: An Area of   Controversy. Medscape.   http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/456300_3 (accessed   November 5th, 2014)
(4) Picture taken by Austin Van Dam, November 29, 2014.

    

Phthalates - Sarah Huxtable

Phthalates 
Don't Put It In Your Mouth 5
^click me :)

Are you aware of what is in your shampoo, cosmetics, water bottles, clothing, furniture, and younger siblings baby toys? ⁴ Now you can find out exactly what could be    causing serious health concerns! Phthalates. 

Phthalates are chemical compounds, commonly known as plasticizers that are added to products to make them last longer and more flexible.¹ Phthalates are dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (phthalic acid)¹, sounds scary doesn't it? Well it is. 

Hormones are very important in regulating the human body, this is known as the endocrine system.⁶ Phthalates, have been found in studies to be an endocrine disruptor.³ This is dangerous to us because this can also lead to reproductive and developmental problems.¹ Lower sperm count in males, reduced fertility in females, and tissue level changes to testes are a few of these health concerns.³ Dermal absorption and inhalation are the main exposure routes, and children are at highest level of risk.² 

There is some good news and regulations that have been put in place so that children toys cannot have higher that 0.1% concentration levels of specific phthalates.⁷ Although this is a step in the right direction, this only includes toys that are intended to be put in their mouth.⁷ All other toys do not have to follow these regulations, and phthalates can begin their destruction. 

References

1. Cadogan, D. F. & Howick, C. J. 2000. Plasticizers. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology.
2. Dart, R. C. (2004). Phthalate and Phthalate Esters. Medical toxicology (3rd ed). (pp.1376-1386). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 

3. Heudorf, U., Mersch-Sundermann, V., & Angerer, J. (2007). Phthalates: toxicology and exposure. International journal of hygiene and environmental health, 210(5),623-634. 

4. Marsee, K., Woodruff, T. J., Axelrad, D. A., Calafat, A. M., & Swan, S. H. (2006). Estimated daily phthalate exposures in a population of mothers of male infants exhibiting reduced anogenital distance. Environmental health perspectives, 114(6), 805 

5. RetroWinnipeg. (2007, June 23). Don't Put It In Your Mouth (Full Version, 1993) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AuLkMBAFZg 

6. Taylor, T. (n.d.). Endocrine System. Retrieved November 28, 2014, from http://www.innerbody.com/image/endoov.html.

7. US Food and Drug Administration. (2012). Guidance for industry limiting the use of certain phthalates as excipients in CDER-regulated products. Silver Spring (MD): The Administration, 2012.

8. Wilson, A. S. (1996). Plasticisers: Selection, Applications and Implications (Vol. 88). iSmithers Rapra Publishing.

Sorbitan Oleate's Diverse Uses!

Sorbitan oleate is a chemical that is found in many everyday products that we use, such as body washes, air fresheners, makeups, and lotions, just to name a few. This chemical has been found to have a low toxicity level to its use if it is used in adequate amounts.(1) Of course, any chemical that is used in excess or large amounts can be deemed of as being hazardous to our bodies. Many experiments were done on rats, and the effects that were found were surprising to scientists. Both male and female rats were found to have liver enlargements, however only the female rats were prone to increased kidney weight. (2) This conclusive evidence was then predicted to have some sort of association to cell mutation. A common example of cell mutation can be associated with cancer. The picture shown here shows a product that uses sorbitan oleate, even though it is deemed as being all natural and organic! (4) Sorbitan oleate is found as a yellow, oily liquid.(1) The natural ingredient that sorbitan oleate comes from is actually sorbitol, which is found in many berries and fruits.(2) Hydrogenation is just one of the chemical processes that changes sorbitol to sorbitan oleate.(3) Even various organic companies, such as one called Bubble and Bee organic products, was slammed for using sorbitan oleate as a main ingredient in many of their products. Even though sorbitol is a natural ingredient, sorbitan oleate isn’t because it is chemically modified in order to be used in various products, such as the eye shadow in your makeup box or the body wash in your shower. (2) Studies on sorbitan oleate are constantly occurring and changing, which can lead to new discoveries that can be made to such a chemical that is found in a wide range of products all of us use on a daily basis! 

                                                                                                         (4)

                                            

References 

1. Sorbitan Monooleate MSDS (May 21, 2013). MSDS. Retrieved October 18, 2014 from

            http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927282

2. PEG-6 Sorbitan Oleate (2013). Cosmetics Info. Retrieved October 19, 2014, from

            http://cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/peg-6-sorbitan-oleate

            3. Xu, W, Wang, D, Mu, X.G, Yong, Q.H (2003). Efficient Esterification of Sorbitan Oleate     by       Lipase in a Solvent-Free System. JAOCS, Vol. 80, no. 7, 647-651.

Image Reference

4. n.d. (2012). Picture of Sorbitan Oleate. Received October 20, 2014 from

http://img.alibaba.com/photo/340838955/CAS_9005_70_3_Polysorbate_85_Tween_85_Polyoxyethylene_sorbitan_tristearate_Emulsifier.jpg