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Natural or Man-made Chemicals?

Natural or Man-made Chemicals?. Adapted from a presentation by Penny Le Couteur, The Fraser Institute, Vancouver, Canada. “All substances are poisonous,. there is none which is not a poison; the right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy.”. Paracelsus circa 1538. The great myth.

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Natural or Man-made Chemicals?

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  1. Natural or Man-made Chemicals? Adapted from a presentation by Penny Le Couteur, The Fraser Institute, Vancouver, Canada

  2. “All substances are poisonous, there is none which is not a poison; the right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy.” Paracelsus circa 1538

  3. The great myth “Natural is good; man-made is bad”

  4. It may be natural but you’ll be just as dead!

  5. The seven most deadly chemical compounds LD50 = The lethal dose of a compound for 50% of animals exposed * Synthetic

  6. The best chemists can do

  7. Viktor YushchenkoPresident of the Ukraine July 2004 December 2004

  8. Muscarine - from mushrooms

  9. Bufotoxin – from the common toad

  10. The next ten …. (most deadly) * Synthetic

  11. Vitamin C Ascorbic acid

  12. Other variations of “natural is good; man-made is bad” • Synthetic chemicals were not around as man evolved so we haven’t had time to become • resistant to them as we have to naturally • occurring compounds. • Synthetic chemicals bioaccumulate in our • bodies.

  13. Chemicals in food:Advertisements from “organic food” stores “We read the labels so you don’t have to. We want you to concentrate on how good the food tastes and not worry about words that you can’t pronounce”

  14. Chemicals in food: Advertisements from “organic food” stores “We keep the chemicals out of your food”

  15. Chemicals in food: Advertisements from “organic food” stores “We think your food tastes better without the flavour of preservatives”

  16. Chemicals used to preserve food BHA= butylated hydroxyanisole BHT = butylated hydroxytoluene EDTA = ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

  17. Sodiumnitrite Risk: Cancer from nitrosamines Benefit: Prevents botulism in meats NO2- + HCl  HNO2 + Cl- HNO2 + (CH3)2NH  (CH3)2NNO + H2O

  18. Natural toxins in food

  19. Natural toxins in food–part 2

  20. Don’t worry, it’s organic • Organic farming is a multi-dollar industry that • relies on the public’s perception that organic • food is more healthy. • There is little evidence to suggest that organic • fruit and vegetables are any healthier than • conventional produce. • Some forms of organic farming may introduce • natural toxins into consumers’ food. • Chemistry World, June 2004

  21. Science writer John Emsley quotes • We come into this world with a wonderful built-in detoxifying system that protects us against thousands of natural toxins every day. • Cancer (from synthetic chemicals) is a risk, but the risk may be so low as to be worth ignoring.

  22. Cosmetics • Cinnamon • Citrus • Angelica • Almond extract • Clove • Bergamot • Cornstarch • Fennel • Geranium • Lavender • Lemon balm • Lime • Papaya • Peppermint • Rose • Thyme • Witch hazel • Wintergreen

  23. Should DDT be banned everywhere?

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