Puricare Industrial Enterprises: Liver damage

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Wednesday, August 5, 2020

HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIRPORT NOISE AND POLLUTION – The European Commission, which governs the European Union (E.U.), considers living near an airport to be a risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke, as increased blood pressure from noise pollution can trigger these more serious maladies. The E.U. estimates that 20% of Europe’s population (about 80 million people) are exposed to airport noise levels it considers unhealthy and unacceptable. Airport noise can also have negative effects on children’s health and development. A 1980 study examining the impact of airport noise on children’s health found higher blood pressure in kids living near Los Angeles’ LAX airport than in those living farther away. A 1995 German study found a link between chronic noise exposure at Munich’s International Airport and elevated nervous system activity and cardiovascular levels in children living nearby. A 2005 study published in the prestigious British medical journal, The Lancet, found that kids living near airports in Britain, Holland, and Spain lagged behind their classmates in reading by two months for every five-decibel increase above average noise levels in their surroundings. The study also associated aircraft noise with lowered reading comprehension, even after socio-economic differences were considered. Living near an airport also means facing significant exposure to air pollution.

The Prime Minister Is Facing A Tory Revolt Over Third Runway Row

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Health Effects of Airport Noise and Pollution

By Larry West

Researchers have known for years that exposure to excessively loud noise can cause changes in blood pressure as well as changes in sleep and digestive patterns, all signs of stress on the human body.

The very word “noise” itself derives from the Latin word “noxia,” which means injury or hurt.

Airport Noise and Pollution Increase Risk for Illness

On a 1997 questionnaire distributed to two groups (one living near a major airport, and the other in a quiet neighborhood), two-thirds of those living near the airport indicated they were bothered by aircraft noise, and most said that it interfered with their daily activities.

The same two-thirds complained more than the other group of sleep difficulties, and also perceived themselves as being in poorer health.

Perhaps even more alarming, the European Commission, which governs the European Union (E.U.), considers living near an airport to be a risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke, as increased blood pressure from noise pollution can trigger these more serious maladies.

The E.U. estimates that 20% of Europe’s population (about 80 million people) are exposed to airport noise levels it considers unhealthy and unacceptable.

Airport Noise Affects Children

Airport noise can also have negative effects on children’s health and development.

A 1980 study examining the impact of airport noise on children’s health found higher blood pressure in kids living near Los Angeles’ LAX airport than in those living farther away.

A 1995 German study found a link between chronic noise exposure at Munich’s International Airport and elevated nervous system activity and cardiovascular levels in children living nearby.

A 2005 study published in the prestigious British medical journal, The Lancet, found that kids living near airports in Britain, Holland, and Spain lagged behind their classmates in reading by two months for every five-decibel increase above average noise levels in their surroundings.

The study also associated aircraft noise with lowered reading comprehension, even after socio-economic differences were considered.

Citizen Groups Concerned About Effects of Airport Noise and Pollution

Living near an airport also means facing significant exposure to air pollution.

Jack Saporito of the U.S. Citizens Aviation Watch Association (CAW), a coalition of concerned municipalities and advocacy groups, cites several studies linking pollutants common around airports (such as diesel exhaust, carbon monoxide and leaked chemicals) to cancer, asthma, liver damage, lung disease, lymphoma, myeloid leukemia, and even depression.

A recent study pinpointed ground taxiing by planes at busy airports as the source of large amounts of carbon monoxide, which in turn appears to increase the prevalence of asthma within 10 kilometers of the airport.

CAW is lobbying for the clean- up of jet engine exhaust as well as the scrapping or modification of airport expansion plans across the country.

Another group working on this issue is Chicago’s Alliance of Residents Concerning O’Hare, which lobbies and conducts extensive public education campaigns in an effort to cut noise and pollution and rein in expansion plans at the world’s busiest airport.

According to the group, five million area residents may be suffering adverse health effects as a result of O’Hare, only one of four major airports in the region.

Larry West

Environmental Journalist

Education

B.A., Journalism and Creative Writing, University of Washington

Introduction

Environmental journalist with 20+ years of experience

Winner, Edward J. Meeman Award for Environmental Reporting

Writer and editor for Go West Strategic Communications since 2002

Experience

Larry West is a former writer for ThoughtCo who contributed articles for five years. He is a principal and professional writer and editor for Go West Strategic Communications. He has written about environmental issues for leading newspapers, magazines, and online publications.

During his 20-year career in newspapers, Larry was part of an investigative team whose work was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He also received the Meeman Award for national environmental reporting from the Scripps Howard Foundation. Later, Larry served as press secretary and deputy chief of staff for a U.S. Representative and served as communications director for a U.S. Senator. He also managed public affairs for organizations including the Federal Aviation Administration, a global technology company, and one of the largest ports in the United States. In each of those positions, Larry was involved in environmental strategy, policy, and communications.

Education

Larry studied journalism and creative writing at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He also taught research and writing courses in continuing education programs at the University of Washington and the University of Alaska.

Awards and Publications

While working as a journalist for "The Seattle Times," Larry's work was awarded the Edward J. Meeman Award for Environmental Reporting by Scripps Howard, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

ThoughtCo and Dotdash

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.

For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.

https://www.thoughtco.com/health-effects-of-airport-noise-and-pollution-1204091

Sunday, December 15, 2019

ACETAMINOPHEN - Acetaminophen products for infants and children contained exactly the same concentration, instead of two different concentrations. Products labeled for infants include a dosing syringe; products for children contain a measuring cup. Markings on the syringes and cups match up to the doses recommended on the label. Many parents gave their children the wrong dose because they confused infants' acetaminophen and children's acetaminophen. Both liquids contained the same ingredient, but in different concentrations; the infant product was more concentrated. Also, measuring devices didn't always contain the same markings recommended on the product label. Acetaminophen is a very safe medicine when used in recommended doses to treat pain and fever. But too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage and even death.

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Acetaminophen

Easier Dosing

Rose Ann Gould Soloway

The Bottom Line

Acetaminophen is a very safe medicine when used in recommended doses to treat pain and fever.

But too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage and even death.

This has happened when parents didn't understand the concentration or measurements.

New formulations of acetaminophen for children make it easier to give the correct dose.

The Full Story

Beginning in the fall of 2011, acetaminophen products (such as Tylenol^®) for infants and children contained exactly the same concentration, instead of two different concentrations.

Products labeled for infants include a dosing syringe; products for children contain a measuring cup.

Markings on the syringes and cups match up to the doses recommended on the label.

These changes were made for several reasons.

Without meaning to, many parents gave their children the wrong dose because they confused infants' acetaminophen and children's acetaminophen.

Both liquids contained the same ingredient, but in different concentrations; the infant product was more concentrated.

Also, measuring devices didn't always contain the same markings recommended on the product label.

For example, "one teaspoon" is the same as "5 ml [milliliters]", but most people don't know that.

If the markings didn't match, parents would often use household spoons to measure the medicine – but household spoons are NOT the same as measuring spoons for medicines.

This confusion can be dangerous for children.

Acetaminophen is a very safe medicine when used in recommended doses to treat pain and fever. But too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage and even death.

This has happened when parents didn't understand the concentration or measurements. It was especially dangerous when children were treated with too much acetaminophen over a period of days.

It's important to read the label carefully when giving medicine, including liquid acetaminophen.

NEVER measure a dose without checking the label first. Use the right dose for your child's age and weight.

If you already have a bottle of infants' or children's acetaminophen, continue to use it according to label instructions, unless it is past its expiration date.

As the new packages become available, older ones will be removed from drugstore shelves.

This Really Happened

A mother gave her 2-year-old daughter her regular dose of acetaminophen, 1 teaspoon (5mL), but didn't realize that she was using a more concentrated version.

The more concentrated version contained 500 mg instead of 160 mg in each teaspoon. The child received more than three times her usual dose.

The poison specialist calculated the amount of acetaminophen given compared to the child's body weight.

Fortunately, this overdose was not dangerous. The poison specialist recommended waiting for 8 hours before giving the next dose, instead of 4-6 hours.

That would give the excess acetaminophen time to be metabolized.

If you have a question about the right drug or right dose for your child, ask your health care provider. If you think you've given (or taken) too much acetaminophen, use the webPOISONCONTROL^® online tool for guidance or call Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222. webPOISONCONTROL and the poison specialists are available 24 hours a day to tell you exactly what you should do.

Rose Ann Gould Soloway, RN, BSN, MSEd, DABAT emerita
Clinical Toxicologist

https://www.poison.org/articles/2011-oct/simpler-acetaminophen-dosing-for-kids

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

CYANIDE POISONING - How Cyanide Works and How Poisoning Is Treated - Sodium cyanide (NaCN), potassium cyanide (KCN), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and cyanogen chloride (CNCl) are lethal, but thousands of compounds called nitriles contain the cyanide group yet aren't as toxic. In fact, you can find cyanide in nitriles used as pharmaceuticals, such as citalopram (celexa) and cimetidine (Tagamet).

Cyanide Poisoning

You would have to eat a lot of apples with their seeds
at one time to suffer cyanide poisoning.

How Does Cyanide Kill?

Chemistry of Cyanide Poisoning

How Cyanide Works and How Poisoning Is Treated

by Anne Marie Helmenstine, P.h.D.

Murder mysteries and spy novels often feature cyanide as a fast-acting poison, but you can be exposed to this toxin from everyday chemicals and even common foods.

Have you ever wondered how cyanide poisons and kills people, how much it takes before it's toxic, and whether there is a cure?

Here's what you need to know.

WHAT IS CYANIDE?

The term "cyanide" refers to any chemical containing a carbon-nitrogen (CN) bond.

Many substances contain cyanide, but not all of them are deadly poisons.

Sodium cyanide (NaCN), potassium cyanide (KCN), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and cyanogen chloride (CNCl) are lethal, but thousands of compounds called nitriles contain the cyanide group yet aren't as toxic.

In fact, you can find cyanide in nitriles used as pharmaceuticals, such as citalopram (celexa) and cimetidine (Tagamet).

Nitriles aren't as dangerous because they don't readily release the CN^- ion, which is the group that acts as a metabolic poison.

HOW CYANIDE POISONS

In a nutshell, cyanide prevents cells from using oxygen to make energy molecules.

The cyanide ion, CN^-, binds to the iron atom in cytochrome C oxidase in the mitochondria of cells.

It acts as an irreversible enzyme inhibitor, preventing cytochrome C oxidase from doing its job, which is to transport electrons to oxygen in the electron transport chain of aerobic cellular respiration.

Without the ability to use oxygen, mitochondria can't produce the energy carrier adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Tissues that require this form of energy, such as heart muscle cells and nerve cells, quickly expend all their energy and start to die.

When a large enough number of critical cells die, you die.

EXPOSURE TO CYANIDE

Cyanide can be used as a poison or chemical warfare agent, but most people are exposed to it unintentionally.

Some ways to be exposed to cyanide include:

· eating cassava, lima beans, yucca, bamboo shoots, sorghum, or almonds

· eating apple seeds, cherry stones, apricot pits, or peach pits

· smoking cigarettes

· burning plastic

· burning coal

· inhaling smoke from a house fire

· ingesting acetonitrile-based products are used to remove artificial nails

· drinking water, eating food, touching soil, or inhaling air that has been contaminated

· exposure to rodenticide or other cyanide-containing pesticide

Cyanide in fruits and vegetables is in the form of cyanogenic glycosides (cyanoglycosides).

Sugars attach to these compounds through the process of glycosylation, forming free hydrogen cyanide.

Many industrial processes involve compounds that contain cyanide or can react with water or air to produce it.

Paper, textile, photochemical, plastics, mining, and metallurgy industries all may deal with cyanide.

Some people report an odor of bitter almonds associated with cyanide, but not all toxic compounds produce the scent and not all people can smell it.

Cyanide gas is less dense than air, so it will rise.

SYMPTOMS OF CYANIDE POISONING

Inhaling a high dose of cyanide gas rapidly causes unconsciousness and often death.

Lower doses may be survivable, especially if immediate aid is provided.

The symptoms of cyanide poisoning are similar to those displayed by other conditions or exposure to any of a number of chemicals, so don't assume cyanide is the cause.

Do remove yourself from the cause of exposure and seek immediate medical attention!

Immediate Symptoms

· headache

· dizziness

· weakness

· confusion

· fatigue

· lack of coordination

Symptoms from Larger Doses or Longer Exposure

· low blood pressure

· unconsciousness

· convulsions

· slow heart rate

· lung damage

· respiratory failure

· coma

Death from poisoning usually results from respiratory failure or heart failure.

A person exposed to cyanide may have cherry-red skin from high oxygen levels or a dark or blue coloring, from Prussian blue (iron binding to the cyanide ion).

Also, skin and body fluids may give off an odor of almonds.

HOW MUCH CYANIDE IS LETHAL?

How much cyanide is too much depends on the route of exposure, the dose, and duration of exposure.

Inhaled cyanide presents a greater risk than ingested cyanide.

Skin contact is not as much of a concern (unless it has been mixed with DMSO), except touching the compound could lead to accidentally swallowing some of it.

As a rough estimate, since lethal dose depends on the exact compound and several other factors, about half a gram of ingested cyanide will kill a 160-lb adult.

Unconsciousness, followed by death, could occur within several seconds of inhaling a high dose of cyanide, but lower doses and ingested cyanide may allow a few hours to a couple of days for treatment.

Emergency medical attention is critical.

IS THERE A TREATMENT FOR CYANIDE POISONING?

Because it's a relatively common toxin in the environment, the body can detoxify a small amount of cyanide.

For example, you can eat the seeds of an apple or withstand cyanide from cigarette smoke without dying.

When cyanide is used as a poison or a chemical weapon, treatment depends on the dose.

A high dose of inhaled cyanide is lethal too quickly for any treatment to take effect.

Initial first aid for inhaled cyanide is getting the victim to fresh air.

Ingested cyanide or lower doses of inhaled cyanide may be countered by administering antidotes that detoxify cyanide or bind to it.

For example, natural vitamin B12, hydroxocobalamin, reacts with cyanide to form cyanocobalamin, which is excreted in urine.

Inhalation of amyl nitrite may aid breathing in victims of cyanide and also carbon monoxide poisoning, although few first aid kits contain these ampules anymore.

Depending on the conditions, complete recovery may be possible, although paralysis, liver damage, kidney damage, and hypothyroidism are possible.

ANNE MARIE HELMENSTINE, PH.D. is an author and consultant with a broad scientific and medical background.

EXPERIENCE

Anne has taught chemistry, biology, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate level. In her doctoral work, Anne developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests. She has worked abstracting/indexing diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy. She presently works as a freelance writer and scientific consultant. She enjoys adapting lab-based science projects so that they can be performed safely at home.

EDUCATION

Dr. Helmenstine has bachelor of arts degrees in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College in Nebraska and a doctorate of philosophy in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Chemistry is part of everyone's life, from cooking and cleaning to the latest computer chip technology and vaccine development. It doesn't have to be intimidating and it doesn't have to be hard to understand.

You can read more about Anne's current and past work on her Google Profile: Anne Helmenstine. Find Anne's printable periodic tables and science projects at Science Notes.

https://www.thoughtco.com/overview-of-cyanide-poison-609287

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