Environmental pollutants and their clinical significance

Environmental Pollutants and their clinical significanceDR ROHINI C SANE

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS

• Environmental pollutants are present in environment which produce abnormality in the metabolisms.

• Sources of pollutant—air, water, food

Artificial chemicals blood levels -lethal dose (per grams )leading to DEATH

Cyanide 1 mg

Methanol 80 mg

Ethanol 10 g

Morphine .005 mg

Lead 80 mg

Sources of pollutant—air, water, food

Types of chemical Toxicity

Chronic Toxicity

Comparison of Acute vs Chronic Toxicity

Cyanide poisoningOccurrence

• Working with KCN

• Inhalation of smoke liberated from polyurethane based furniture

• Ingestion of Amylogdaltin (present in kernels of fruits like Apricots )

Effects-

• Chelation of Ferric ions intracellular respiratory enzyme –Cytochrome Oxidase

• Suicidal

Mechanism of action

• Ferric of Hemoglobin + Cytochrome Oxidase –CN Cytochrome Oxidase –CN +CN –Ferric Hemoglobin

Meth Hemoglobin

• Cyanide + Thiosulphates - Thiocyanates EXCRETED

Treatment

• Intravenous injection of Sodium ,Sodium Thiosulphates

• Keratocyanar Chelates of Cyanide

Types of Cyanide poisoning

Methanol poisoning

Biochemical changes in Methanol Toxicity

Clinical Significance of Methanol Toxicity

Molecular Mechanism: Ethanol functions Antidote in Methanol toxicity by saturating alcohol dehydrogenase Preventing formation of of Lethal Formaldehyde & Formic Acid.

Ethanol Toxicity

Biochemistry of Ethanol poisoning

Ethanol is metabolized by two enzymes

1. Alcohol dehydrogenase ( Ethanol Acetaldehyde )

2. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (Acetaldehyde Acetic Acid )

Biochemistry of Ethanol poisoning

Ethanol affects Liver& induces liver diseases Including Hepatic Cirrhosis.

Pathogenesis of Ethanol Toxicity

Management of chronic Alcoholism involves Antabuse Disulfiram which inhibits Aldehyde dehydrogenase.Acetaldehyde accumulates in blood circulation inducing nausea ,vomiting & hatred for alcohol ingestion.

TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS

1. Corrosive & irritants

2. Heavy metal poisons

3. Pesticides & insecticides

4. Chemical carcinogens

5. Industrial hazards

6. Air pollutants

7. Toxic substances in food

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS -corrosive & irritants

Toxic effects of corrosive & irritants pollutants Destroy tissues Dehydration of tissuesProtein precipitationAcid hematein formation Circulatory collapse Death- ( 10-15ml –fatal)

Estimation of corrosive & irritants pollutants

Acids Alkalis

Examples Hydrochloric Acid, Nitric Acid Sodium Hydroxide , Ammonia

Estimation by titration of Gastric lavage containing corrosive titrated with

Barium Chloride ,Barium Nitrate Silver Nitrate –Brown Ppt of Silver Hydroxide

CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS

IRRITANT ENVIROMENTAL POLLUTANTS

Types of Irritant Environmental Pollutants

• Metallic—Zn ,Cu, Sb, As, Hg ,Al ,Pb

• Nonmetallic—P ,Cl, Br ,I

• Mechanical –powdered dust

Heavy Metals as Environmental Pollutants

Lead Toxicity

Lead Toxicity : Definition ,Blood levels , history , & ban use of leaded gasoline by UNEP

Sources for Lead Poisoning

Domestic Sources for Lead Poisoning USE OF LEAD FREE PETROL IS RECOMMENDED

Clinical manifestation of Lead poisoning

Clinical manifestation of Lead poisoning in children

Clinical manifestations of Lead Toxicity in adults a) Confusion b) Irritability c) Abdominal colic paind) Severe anemia **

Lead toxicity & Anemia

• **Steps of Heme synthesis catalyzed by Ferro chelatase and ALAdehydratase are inhibited by Lead leads to anemia .

Diagnosis of Lead poisoning

Laboratory Diagnosis of Lead poisoning

Plasma lead levels >25 microgram /dl in adults & > 10 microgram /dl in children are suggestiveof lead toxicity .

Laboratory Diagnosis of Lead poisoning

Radiological Diagnosis of Lead poisoning

X ray for diagnosis of lead poisoning

Lead toxicity during Pregnancy

OHHLPPP

Management of Lead poisoning

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS -Metal poisons- Lead

sources –paint flakes ,toys ,battery repair, exhaust of vehicle ,cigarette smoke, lead pipes –water poisoning ,news paper ink ,Lead chromate, adulterate in

curcumin

Symptoms –cerebral palsy, learning disability, behavioral problem, hyper excitability ,convulsions , manic behavior ,blue line along gums

Serum Lead levels >10 micrograms ( abdominal colic ,loss of appetite ,anemia ,Serum Lead levels >25 micrograms ( premature birth )

Biochemical changes -Decreased heme synthesis( decreased ALA synthase ,ALA dehydratase ,Globin synthesis )decreased life span less than 120 daysbasophilic stripping ,agglutination of ribosomes

Preventive measures –removal of Lead pipelines ,adequate Fe & Calcium intake , petrol Lead free

Laboratory Biochemical Tests for lead poisoning –Atomic Absorption, Spectrophotometer: Physiological Urinary lead levels < 50 Micrograms /day,

Physiological Serum lead levels < 10micrograms /dl

ENVIRONMETAL POLLUTANTS -metal poisons- Mercury

Type OF Mercury Sources Toxicity

1 Elemental Thermometers ,Sphyngometers, Dental Amalgam

Pulmonary Edema ,Encephalopathy, Gingivitis, Tremors ,Psychological changesOral lesions, Salivation ,Erythrism-Triad

2 Inorganic Tropical medicines -CALOMEL Psychosis ,Timidity,MERCURY LENTIS( brown band around the lenses)

3 Organic Methyl Mercury , Paints, Fungicides ,Cosmetics

Mina Mata Disease ( Bay of JAPAN)-incorporated into CNS ATAXIA

History of Mercury poisoning - Mina Mata disease–Mina Mata city from Japan

1953-1960

History of Mercury poisoning - Mina Mata city &disease

History of Mercury poisoningMina Mata disease occurred first in Mina Mata city from Japan 1953-1960 Consuming fish containing Methyl Mercury.

ENVIROMENTAL POLLUTANTS -metal poisons- Mercury

Symptoms of Mina Mata disease (Mercury poisoning)–Ataxia ,visual field ,sensory neuropathy ,joint deformities ,loss of balance ,tremors ,hearing loss spasticity

Biochemical aspects of Mina Mata Disease

Symptoms of Mina Mata disease(Mercury poisoning)

Symptoms of Mercury poisoning

Symptoms of Mercury poisoning

Effects of Mercury Poisoning during Pregnancy

Effects of Mercury Poisoning during Pregnancy

ENVIROMENTAL POLLUTANTS -Metal poisons- Mercury

• Metal poisons- Mercury

Treatment for Mercury poisoning

• Di Mercaptol derivatives

• D –Penicillamine

• Selenium

• N- Acetyl Cysteine

Status Mercury levels in Blood

Normal < 1 microgram /dl

Toxicity >2.5 microgram /dl

Fatal 15 microgram /dl

MINAMATA MARKED 60TH ANNIVERSARY

ENVIRONMETAL POLLUTANTS -Metal poisons-

Metal Source Toxic Effects

Tin Canned food Tin coated vessels

Anemia, growth retardation

Aluminum Aluminum foil-packing material, cooking vessels, cosmetics ,insulating material

Alzheimer's Disease

Arsenic Fruit spray pesticides ,rat poisons

S-S enzyme inhibitor, intravascular hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, blood vessel dilatation, cardiac muscles get affected

Cadmium Liver damage ,Renal dysfunction ,Zn dependent enzyme inhibitor

Repeated use of Tin Can is a source of Tin Toxicity

Uses / Sources of Aluminum responsible for its Toxicity

Aluminum toxicity : Anemia , osteomalacia , Alzheimer’s disease

USE OF ALUMINUM FOIL TO WRAP FOOD SHOULD BE MINIMIZED

USE OF ALUMINUM UTENSIL /COOKWARES SHOULD BE MINIMIZED

Clinical Manifestation of Aluminum Toxicity

Aluminum toxicity is strongly associated with Alzheimer’s Disease

Aluminum toxicity is strongly associated with Alzheimer’s Disease

Aluminum can change the alpha helices of Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP )Into beta pleated sheets ( insoluble form of APP ).Deposition of insoluble Tau proteins leads to loss of functions of microtubules in Alzheimer’s Disease. This is similar to prion action.

Aluminum toxicity is strongly associated with Alzheimer’s Disease

Aluminum salts in vaccines

Aluminum salts in vaccines as an adjuvant

Cadmium Toxicity Itai itai / Ouch disease was reported in Japan

Cadmium Toxicity :Itai itai / Ouch disease was reported in Japan

Biochemistry of Cadmium Toxicity

Cadmium replaces Zinc & therefore adversely affects several Zinc dependent biochemical reactions .

Cadmium toxicity leads to anemia, osteomalacia , bone marrow disorders & kidney damage .

Acute vs Chronic Cadmium Toxicity

Symptoms of Arsenic Toxicity

Symptoms of Arsenic Toxicity

Laboratory diagnosis of Arsenic Toxicity

Pesticides as organic pollutants

Definition : Pesticides is a broad term used for insecticides ,herbicides ,fungicides and rodenticides .

Positive aspects of use of pesticides

• Controlling malaria ,Typhus

• Boosting food production

Adverse effects from use of pesticides

• Health complications

• damage to aquatic life

Classification of Pesticides

Chlorinated hydrocarbons

Aldrin,

Endrin

Dieldin

DDT

Organophophates

Malathion

Diazinon

Carbamates

Baygon

Cabaryl

(servin )

Chlorophenoxy

2,4 Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS - PESTISIDES & INSECTICIDES

DDT –Dichoro Diphenyl Trichloroethane

• Paul Mullar -1948 –Noble prize –“pesticide effect on potato beetle”

• North America penguin eggs thickness of egg shell decreased

Biochemical properties of DDT as pesticide (agriculture pesticide )

a) Fat soluble

b) No excretion

c) Deposition in adipose tissue

Cyclodienes (cyclic halogenated hydrocarbon )—fruit spray for Apple

Cyclodienes cause defective spermatogenesis infertility

Alrin and Dialdrin are fat soluble & their effects on human are similar

DDT –Dichoro Diphenyl Trichloroethane

DDT as pesticide (agriculture pesticide )

Negative /adverse effects of DDT –Dichoro Diphenyl Trichloroethane

Negative /adverse effects of DDT –Dichoro Diphenyl Trichloroethane

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS - PESTISIDES & INSECTICIDES

PESTISIDES & INSECTICIDES :ORGANO-PHOSPHOROUS COMPOUNDS

ORP (ORGANOPHOPHOROUS )—inhibition of Acetyl Choline Esterase by phosphorylation –Nerve impulse propagation inhibited insects get paralyzed

ORC ( ORGANOCARBAMATE )—Malathion

Entry into body respiratory tract /skin –Microsomal enzymes are inhibited and Epoxides formation Neurotoxic Effects Coma

Antidotes for ORP /ORC Atropin Sulphate ,Diacetyl Monoxime

OCCUPATIONAL & INDUSTRIAL HAZARDS

• CHLOROFLUOROMETHANE ( CF₂Cl₂ /CFCl₃ )Freon –used in refrigeratorsphoto dissociation of Chloride /Fluoride destruction of Ozone layer

• POLYCHLOROPHENYLmimic T3 ,T4 Thyroid hormones causing behavioral changes

• PVC PIPESVinyl Phenol Water Pollution –Decreased Fertility

• METHANOL Alcohol addiction cause BLINDNESS

• Methanol + Alcohol Dehydrogenase Formaldehyde (HCHO)+Formic acid (HCOOH)

• Treatment for Methanol toxicity : USE OF Ethanol Decreased Formaldehyde levels

CHLOROFLUOROMETHANE

POLYCHLOROPHENYL

PVC pipes – a cause of water pollution

What does a word AIR POLLUTION mean?

Causes and effects of Air pollutions

AIR POLLUTANTS –TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICLES (TPS )

New Delhi –forth most polluted city in the worldMumbai, Calcutta ,Kanpur, Nagpur, Ahmadabad are polluted by TPS

% OF GAS IN NORMAL ATMOSPHERE AIR

Nitrogen 78.09

Oxygen 20.94

Carbon Dioxide 0.03

Water Vapor/Other Gases

Natural and Man-made sources of Air Pollutants

AIR POLLUTANTS

• CONTAMINANTS : a chemical other than routinely accepted in composition of clean air ( N₂, O₂ , CO ₂ ,H₂O)

• POLLUTANTS:A contaminant that occurs in atmosphere in sufficiently high concentration to cause adverse effects

Sources Of Air Pollutants

(A) Biological contaminants

(B) Artificial contaminants

Natural and Man made sources of Air Pollution

Primary and secondary Air pollutants

Primary and secondary Air pollutants

Six common Air pollutants

POLLUTANTS SOURCES SIDE EFFECTS

Ozone Petrochemical smog ,welding Irritates pharynx & trachea

Carbon Monoxide Automobile exhaust ,industrial fumes

Visual threshold decreased

Lead Automobile exhaust ,industrial fumes

Velocity of nerve conduction decreases

SO₂ Formation of H₂SO₄, food poisoning

Chronic bronchitis

HCHO Fertilizers ,dyes , explosive rubber products

Cancers in animals

Halides Papers ,textile Pulmonary edema

Natural Sources Of Air pollutants

BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS

Bacteria

Bacterial spores

Insects

Debris

Fungi

Viruses

Natural Sources Of Air pollutants

SOURCES

Volcanic Eruption

Forest Fire

Dust Storms

Air born Particles

Suspended Particles

Dust, soot ( 1-10 Micrometer In Diameter )

Artificial Sources of Air Pollutants

Artificial Sources of Air Pollutants

Carbon dioxide ,Carbon Monoxide ,oxides of Nitrogen ,oxide of Sulphur ,

lead derived from

(a)Emission from automobiles ,industry , power plants

(b)Burning of coal or diesel or oils SO₂ Respiratory /Cardiac diseases

Smog = smoke + fog +air +chemicals

Chemical reducing smog = smog + SO2 + oxidizing organic compounds

Smog without SO₂ & with Nitric Oxide (NO) ,Ozone Organic Peroxides ,Hydrocarbons

Source of smog : combustion of coal & oils

Human mortality α air pollution

Carbon Dioxide as an air pollutant • Carbon Dioxide :Constitutes 0.03% of atmospheric gases ,and plays a

significant role in controlling the climate .

• Role of Carbon Dioxide : trapping the heat radiation from the earth surface. Without the presence of CO₂ the earth would be as cold as the moon .

• Human body gets adopted to prolonged exposure to higher concentration of Carbon Dioxide (even up to 1% ) with minor alteration in electrolyte balance.

Greenhouse effect

• Carbon Dioxide referred as a Greenhouse gas.

• Greenhouse effect refers to an elevation in Carbon Dioxide near earth’s surface that traps sunlight and increases atmospheric temperature.

Causes of Greenhouse effect:

• deforestation

• Burning of coal and oils

Prevention of greenhouse effect can be achieved by plantation.

Carbon monoxide as an air pollutant

Source of Carbon monoxide

a) in complete combustion of fuels or carbon containing compounds

b) Burning of coal in factories

c) Emission from Automobile ,rail engines and aircrafts

Biochemical changes in human body in Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin which drastically reduces oxygen supplementation to tissues.

Toxic effects of Carbon monoxide as an air pollutant

Toxic effects of carbon monoxide at 1 ppm concentration of Carbon monoxide

a) Mental disturbance

b) Visual perception

Toxic effects of carbon monoxide above 1 ppm concentration of Carbon monoxide

i. Headache

ii. Dizziness

iii. coma

Toxic effects of carbon monoxide at 750 ppm concentration of Carbon monoxide

Death

Sulfur Dioxide as an Air pollutant

Sulfur Dioxide is the most dangerous pollutant gas to human body.

Sources of Sulfur Dioxide : burning of coal and oil

Toxic Effects of Sulfur Dioxide as a Air pollutant on human body

a) Affects Respiratory system ( lung tissue may get damage due to acidic p H

b) Irritation of respiratory tract ( Dipalmityl Lecithin –lung surfactant phospholipid from alveoli )

c) Breathing difficulties

Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfur trioxide in the presence of atmospheric water vapor becomes sulphrous and sulphuric acid respectively.

Acid rain : atmospheric SO₂ when dissolved rain water becomes very acidic (acid rain )damaging soil ,plants and vegetables. Exposures of plants to SO₂ destroys leaves.

Nitrogen Dioxide as a air pollutant

Nitrogen Dioxide like Carbon Monoxide combines with hemoglobin and reduces supply of oxygen to tissue in human body .

Smog as an air pollutant

• Smog is the poisonous mixture of smoke ,fog ,air and chemicals .

• Chemically reducing smog : derived from combustion of coal and oil contains Sulphur dioxide (SO₂ ) Sulphur trioxide (SO₃),mixed with soot

• Chemically oxidizing smog : with NO₂, Osazone, organic peroxides and hydrocarbons without Sulphur dioxide (SO₂ )

INDUSTRIAL SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION

INDUSTRIAL SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTIONAcid rain : atmospheric SO₂ when dissolved in rain water becomes very acidic (acid rain )damaging soil ,plants and vegetables..

INDUSTRIAL SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION

Greenhouse effect refers to an elevation in Carbon Dioxide near earth’s surface that traps sunlight and increases atmospheric temperature.

INDUSTRIAL SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION

Chemically reducing smog : derived from combustion of coal and oil contains Sulphur dioxide (SO₂ ) Sulphur trioxide (SO₃),mixed with soot

Industrial pollutants

Industrial pollutants

• Acid fumes

• Ammonia

• Cyanides

• Isocyanates

• Phosphogens

• Pthalic unhydride

• NO₂

• SO₂

Toxic Effects of Industrial PollutantsIRRITANTS

• Mucous membrane irritation

• Bronchitis

• Cough

• Conjunctival irritation

• Dyspnea

INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION

• 1952- London Fog (severe cold & dense fog for 5days )claimed 4000 lives )

• 1984- Bhopal Gas Tragedy (Methyl Isocyanates ) thousand Of deaths Cardio Vascular Diseases)

• Stationary sources SO₂ from automobiles Acid Rain

Toxic Effects of Industrial Pollution

a) irritation of eyes ,nose ,throat ,

b) Chronic Respiratory Symptoms ,Bronchitis

c) Heart diseases

Ozone layer • Ozone layer is formed from atmospheric oxygen during high energy

radiations of electrical discharge.

• Existence of Ozone Layer : 13-15 km above surface of the earth

• Positive aspects of Ozone Layer : absorbs harmful ultra violet radiations of the sun which otherwise cause skin diseases and genetic mutations ( leading to cancer ) besides increasing the temperature of earth ( Global warming ).

• Depletion of Ozone Layer : by Nitrogen oxide ( released from engines of aeroplanes ) and chloro fluorocarbons ( used in refrigerators and air conditioners )

Ground level Ozone

Ozone layer Ozone layer is formed from atmospheric oxygen during high energy radiations of electrical discharge.

Depletion of Ozone Layer : by Nitrogen oxide ( released from engines of aeroplanes ) and chloro fluorocarbons ( used in refrigerators and air conditioners )

Suspended particulate matter

• Suspended particulate matter : dust and soot in the atmosphere.

• Suspended particulate matter adds to the contamination of air .

• Size of Suspended particulate matter = 1to 10 microns in diameter.

• Sources of Suspended particulate matter :

a) Grinding

b) Spraying

c) Erosion

d) Smoking

The dust particles carry micro-organisms and infective agents to spread diseases.

Passive Cigarette Smoking

• The particulate load in household is directly proportional to the number of cigarette smokers living at home.

• Increased prevalence of respiratory illness & reduced levels of pulmonary function measurements have been found in children of smoking parents.

Cancer risk is higher in non- smokers who live under the same roof with smokers.

Harmful effects of Air pollution on the Human body

Health hazards from ozoneand

particulate pollution

Preventive measures to reduce

of Air pollution :Go Green & Grow Green

Water pollution

• Water is the most predominant constituent of living matter. The very existence of life is impossible without water.

• Water pollution occurs due to waste disposal from industries, agriculture

and municipalities.

Water pollutants

Water pollutants

a) Organic

b) Inorganic

c) Sediments

d) Radioactive

e) thermal

Water Pollution

Organic Water pollutants

organic water pollutants

a) Water –borne disease agents

b) Oxygen demanding wastes

c) Organic chemicals

Water borne diseases & their agents

Several pathogenic organisms find their entry into water and cause diseases.

Water borne disease include

a) Typhoid

b) Paratyphoid

c) Cholera

d) Amoebiasis

e) Giardiasis

f) Infectious hepatitis

Oxygen demanding wastes as water pollutants

• Sewage and waste from industries and agriculture provide good nutrients for algae.

• As algae grow utilizing the wastes ,oxygen depletion occurs .This phenomenon of water deoxygenation is technically referred to as EUTROPHICATION .

• As a consequence of eutrophication ,fish and other aquatic animals die due to lack of oxygen causing foul smell.

Organic chemicals as water pollutants

Organic chemicals as water pollutants

a) Pesticides

b) Detergents

c) Paints

d) Plastics

e) Pharmaceuticals

f) Food additives

g) Other Synthetic compounds

Noise pollution

• Noise : Unwanted sound is noise which is a major urban environment pollutants .

• Human can tolerate noise up to 100 decibels

• Speaking : 60 decibels

• Telephone : 70 decibels

• Motor cycle : 110 decibels

• Rockets : 150 decibels

Effects of Noise pollution

Effects of Noise pollution

a) Headache

b) Increased blood pressure

c) Irritability

d) Confusion

e) Neuromuscular damage

f) Depression

g) Loss of hearing

h) Disturbed vision & digestion

Classification of Toxic substances in food

1.Present in plants

2.Contamination on cultivation

3.Contamination post harvest period

4.Chemical contamination during food processing & storage

5. Food adulterants

6.Toxins entering in cooking

Natural Toxins Present in plantsToxin Food stuff Toxic effect

1.Protease inhibitors( Trypsin inhibitor )-can be destroyed by cooking

Soybean, corn ,tubers (potato )

Defective absorption & digestive of Amino acids

2. Goitrogens ( Thio oxozolidone )Thio cyanates IsothiocyanatesPolyphenolic glycosides

Cabbage ,Turnips (Thioglycosides ),Radish, Musturd ,skin of Ground nuts,Rape seed oil (Thiocyanates), Almonds (Polyphenolic glycosides)

Prevent uptake and utilization of Iodine by Thyroid gland

3.Cyanogenic glycosides Hydrocyanic acid (hydrolysis )

Cereals ,legumes ,Tubers (Cassava/Topica )

Fatty degeneration of Liver & Kidney

4. Pressor Amines (Histamines/Tyramine/Serotonin )

Banana ,Cheese Hypertension Endomyocardial fibriosis

Natural toxins in food stuffs & Lathyrism

• Lathyrism : Kesari dal ( Lathysus sativus ) is grown in some parts of Madhya Pradesh ,Bihar, Uttar Pradesh & has protein content .

• Excessive consumption of Kesari dal ( Lathysus sativus ) causes paralysis of lower limps referred as Lathyrism. Exagerrated knee jerks and scissor gait spastic paralysis may be observed .

• Kesari dal contains BOAA ( BetaOxalylAminoAlanine ) which is a neurotoxin.

• BOAA ( beta oxalylaminoalanine ) damages upper motor neurons & inhibits the enzyme Lysyl oxidase ( reduces Collagen cross linking )

• Cooking of kesari dal 2-3 times & supernatant water will eliminate BOAA .

Toxic pollutants of food stuffs - Cultivation

• Pesticides & other unnatural chemicals used during cultivation do find entry into the food stuffs.

• Most of these chemicals can be removed by peeling the outer layers of vegetables & fruits ,besides repeated washings .

Natural toxins in food stuffs &Biogenic amines

• Biogenic amines (Histamine Tyramine ,Serotinin & Epinephrine ) are present in Banana & cheese.

• Biogenic amines are degraded by Mono amino oxidase in normal metabolism.

• Patients under MAO inhibitor ( iproniazid – causes mood elevation) treatment , these food stuff may cause hypertension

Natural toxins in food stuffs &Agglutinins

• Agglutinins are present in Beans & Legumes .

• Ingestion of uncooked broad beans ( Vicia Flava ) leads to Favism(hemolytic anemia due to agglutination of RBC by Agglutinin.

Toxic pollutants of food stuffs – Processing

Food additives are used in preservation & enhancing flavors

NOT ALL FOOD ADDITIVES ARE SAFE.

• Aniline dyes are used as coloring agents & are carcinogenic.

• Sweetening agent cyclamates may cause bladder cancer. (Alarm for Diabetic patients )

Toxic pollutants of food stuffs – Processing

• Mineral oils /Petroleum solvents are used for extraction of oils from seeds. These solvent residue /remnants may remain in processed oil after extraction.

• Mineral oils are hepatotoxic & carcinogenic in nature.

Adulterants /contamination during food processing

• Mustard oil may be adulterated with Argemone oil .• Argemone oil is from a wild plant Argemone Mexicana .• Argemone seeds are similar to Mustard seeds and oil from both seeds

have similar consistency .Hence adulteration is easy. • Argemone oil contains Sanguinarine ( an alkaloid ). • Sanguinarine from Argemone oil induces Epidemic dropsySymptoms of Epidemic dropsy a) Vomitingb) Diarrheac) congestive cardiac failure d) edema

Toxic pollutants of food stuff – Storage

Food contamination with fungus on storage

Food source Fungus Type Toxin Toxic effects

1.Ground nutCoconut Rice

Aspergillus Flavus Aflatoxin Hepatoxic carcinogenic

2.Wheat BajraRye

Ergot (Clavicep Purpura )

ErgotoxinErgometrinErgotamine

Ergotism( vascular contraction ,burning sensation of eyes /legs ,cramps ,Gangrene

3. Rice Penicillium Nephro toxins /Hepatotoxic

Kidney & Liver damage

Pollutants /Toxins entering during food preparation

• Aginomoto ( Mono Sodium Glutamate –MSG )- is a common food additive ( Chinese recipes /Maggy masala ? )

• It produces transient symptoms like numbness ,weakness and palpitation.

• It may deteriorate mental alertness in children.