Extra Credit: Mercury

Mercury is an element that is found in air, water and soil. It has several forms. Metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid. If heated, it is a colorless, odorless gas. It also combines with other elements to form powders or crystals. Mercury is in many products. Metallic mercury is used in glass thermometers, silver dental fillings, and button batteries. Mercury salts may be used in skin creams and ointments. It's also used in many industries.

Mercury in the air settles into water. It can pass through the food chain and build up in fish, shellfish, and animals that eat fish. The nervous system is sensitive to all forms of mercury. Exposure to high levels can damage the brain and kidneys. Pregnant women can pass the mercury in their bodies to their babies.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mercury.html

Mercury was known to ancient Chinese and Hindus before 2000 BC and was found in tubes in Egyptian tombs dated from 1500 BC. It was used to forma amalgams of other metals around 500 BC. The Greeks used mercury in ointments and the Romans used it, unfortunately for those using it, in cosmetics. Mercury is one of the elements which has an alchemical symbol, (alchemy is an ancient pursuit concerned with, for instance, the transformation of other metals into gold). Named after the planet "Mercury" (the origin of the symbol Hg is the Latin word "hydrargyrum" meaning "liquid silver").

Mercury can be used to make thermometers, barometers and other scientific instruments. Mercury conducts electricity and is used to make silent, position dependent switches. Mercury vapor is used in streetlights, fluorescent lamps and advertising signs.

Mercury easily forms alloys with other metals, such as gold, silver, zinc and cadmium. These alloys are called amalgams. Amalgams are used to help extract gold from its ores, create dental fillings (in the case of silver) and help extend the life of dry cell batteries (in the case of zinc and cadmium). Mercury forms useful compounds with other elements. Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) is a very poisonous salt and was once used to disinfect wounds. Mercurous chloride (Hg2Cl2), also called calomel, is an antiseptic used to kill bacteria. Mercuric sulfide (HgS) is used to make a red paint pigment called vermilion. Mercuric oxide (HgO) is used to make mercury batteries.

Mercury is poisonous and can enter the body through the respiratory tract, the digestive tract or directly through the skin. It accumulates in the body, eventually causing severe illness or death. Mercury in the elemental (gaseous) form targets the brain, kidney, and lung. Divalent mercury forms in the kidney and methyl mercury targets the brain, and the fetal brain.

http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele080.html

Most people are not exposed to inorganic mercury but rather absorb methylmercury through the consumption of fish and shellfish. Methylmercury is easily absorbed in the digestive tract, where it forms a complex with the amino acid cysteine. This new complex resembles a large neutral amino acid found in the body, methionine, and can more easily gain entry into cells. As with inorganic mercury, once in the bloodstream, methylmercury will accumulate in the brain and cause damage to the central nervous system. Methylmercury is naturally removed from the body over time. Eventually, this methylmercury-cysteine complex is transported to the liver where it is secreted into bile, after which enzymes break the complex down into its amino acid and methylmercury parts. Some of this methylmercury then comes in contact with the bacteria in the intestine and is broken down into inorganic mercury and carbon. The inorganic mercury is poorly absorbed in the digestive tract and 90 percent is excreted in the feces. The rest of the methylmercury that does not interact with bacteria is reabsorbed by the body and goes through the process again. It takes about 30 to 40 hours for methylmercury to be distributed to the tissues of the body (Clarkson & Magos, 2006). This cycle is the reason it takes so long to rid the body of mercury and how it can accumulate in the blood. It can take up to a year for mercury levels to drop significantly

http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/mercury/review4.php

Turpentine and Terpenoids

Terpenoids is a subclass of the prenyllipids (terpenes, preylquinones, and sterols), represent the oldest group of small molecular products synthesized by plants and are probably the most widespread the oldest group of small molecular products synthesized by plants and are probably the most widespread group of natural products.

Terpenoids can be described as modified terpenes, where methyl groups are moved or removed, or oxygen atoms added. Inversely, some authors use the term "terpenes" more broadly, to include the terpenoids

During the 19th century, chemical works on turpentine led to name "terpene" the hydrocarbons with the general formula C10H16 found in that complex plant product. These terpenes are frequently found in plant essential oils which contain the "Quinta essentia", the plant fragrance

They are universally present in small amounts in living organisms, where they play numerous vital roles in plant physiology as well as important functions in all cellular membranes. The various functions of terpene natural products in the natural world have been reviewed. On the other hand, they are also accumulated in many cases, and it is shown that the extraordinary variety they then display can be due to ecological factors playing an evolutionary role.

Terpenoids are extraordinarily diverse but they all originate through the condensation of the universal phosphorylated derivative of hemiterpene, isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) giving geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP).

Terpenes history spans various civilizations. As they are largely found in essential oils, they were used in the Ancient Egypt for various religions aims. Camphor was introduced in Europe from the East by the Arabs around the 11th century.

The process of obtaining plant essential oils by fatty extraction was known by the early Middle Ages. In the 12th century, Arnaud de Villanosa described distillation of oils from rosemary and sage. He made an "oleum mirabile" from oils of turpentine and rosemary. It is noticeable that some 60 oils were described in the Nuremberg edition of "Dispensatorium valerii cordi" written in 1592.

Analyses of oils of turpentine were made in 1818 by JJ Houston de la Billardière. Dumas proposed in 1866 the name "terpene", derived from turpentine, instead of camphor for crystalline oxygenated substances extracted from essential oils. In 1887, Wallach O proposed that one isoprenic unit of 5 carbon atoms (C5H8) is always present in the molecule of terpenes (Justus Lieb Ann Chem 1887, 238, 78).

The structure of camphor was established by Bredt in 1893, that of pinene by Wagner in 1894 and that of citral by Tiemann in 1895. b-Carotene was isolated in 1837 by Wackenrodder from carrots, and its correct molecular form was determined in 1907 by Willstätter.

http://www.cyberlipid.org/simple/simp0004.htm

Terpene is any of a large and varied class of hydrocarbons, with the molecular formula (C5H8)n, that are produced by a wide variety of plants, such as conifers. Terpenes also are produced by some other living organisms, such as swallowtail butterflies, which emit terpenes from their osmeterium, and a fungus isolated from St. John's Wort. The term "terpene" at times is used broadly to also include the terpenoids, which are terpenes that have been chemically modified, such as through oxidation.

Terpenes are natural products derived from plants that have medicinal properties and biological activity. Terpenes may be found in cleaning products, rubefacients, aromatherapy, and various topical preparations. Terpenes may exist as hydrocarbons or have oxygen-containing compounds such as ketone or aldehyde groups (terpenoids).

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/818675-overview

Triclosan

Triclosan (2, 4, 4’ –trichloro-2’-hydroxydiphenyl ether) is a chlorinated aromatic compound. Its functional groups include both phenols and ethers. It is used as a synthetic antimicrobial agent. Triclosan was first registered as a pesticide in 1969. There are currently 20 antimicrobial registrations, which the EPA regulates under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). In commercial, institutional, and industrial equipment uses, triclosan is incorporated in conveyor belts, fire hoses, dye bath vats, or ice-making equipment as an antimicrobial pesticide. Triclosan can be directly applied to commercial HVAC coils, where it prevents microbial growth. As a material preservative, triclosan is used in many products including adhesives, fabrics, vinyl, plastics (toys, toothbrushes), polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, floor wax emulsions, textiles (footwear, clothing), caulking compounds, sealants, rubber, carpeting, and a wide variety of other products. There are also consumer uses of triclosan, such as its use in over-the-counter drugs (e.g., antimicrobial hand soaps and some toothpaste). These drugs are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Although the FDA uses are not regulated under pesticide law, EPA considered these exposures in the aggregate risk assessment. EPA used population-based biological monitoring data to assess the co-occurrence of uses to develop an aggregate exposure assessment. Triclosan isn't an essential ingredient in many products. While triclosan added to toothpaste has been shown to help prevent gingivitis, there's no evidence that antibacterial soaps and body washes containing triclosan provide any extra benefits, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/triclosan_fs.htm

In aquatic environments, triclosan is expected to attach to the surface of suspended solids and sediments and may bioaccumulate, potentially posing a concern for aquatic organisms. As well as having a chance to bioaccumulate in the sediments it also has a low chance of bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms which could eventually get higher and higher on the food chain and start effecting humans. Aerobic biodegradation is one of the major and most efficient biodegradation pathways. Although it has been found that the antimicrobial uses of triclosan are unlikely to contribute significant quantities of triclosan into household wastewater and eventually in surface water, it has been found in 36 U.S. streams.

EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) studies on the thyroid and estrogen effects led EPA to determine that more research on the potential health consequences of endocrine effects of triclosan is warranted. This research is underway and will help characterize the human relevance and potential risk of these effects observed in initial laboratory animal studies. Although there isn’t enough evidence to recommend avoiding use of products that contain triclosan there have been recent studies that have raised questions about whether triclosan might be hazardous to human health. Recent research has shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation in animals, might contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant germs, and might be harmful to the immune system.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/adult-health/expert-answers/triclosan/faq-20057861

Minnesota has taken serious steps in the use of triclosan and has become the first state to ban the use of triclosan. In 2017 Minnesota will not allow any retail consumer hygiene products to be sold if they contain triclosan. According to the FDA triclosan is no better at washing away the germs than just plain soap is, it is causing unneeded problems without any added benefits.

http://inhabitat.com/minnesota-is-the-first-state-to-ban-the-anti-bacterial-chemical-triclosan/

The Poison Squad: Harvey Wiley

In the 1880s, when Wiley began his 50-year crusade for pure foods, America's marketplace was flooded with poor, often harmful products. With almost no government controls, unscrupulous manufacturers tampered with products, substituting cheap ingredients for those represented on labels: Honey was diluted with glucose syrup; olive oil was made with cottonseed; and "soothing syrups" given to babies were laced with morphine. The country was ready for reform.

            Wiley became chief chemist in what is now the Department of Agriculture. His main task was to support the new agricultural industries, but he was also able to continue his private passion, developing tests for food purity. All through the 1880s and 1890s, pure-food bills were introduced into Congress--largely through his work--and all were killed. Powerful lobbies had established themselves.

http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WhatWeDo/History/CentennialofFDA/HarveyW.Wiley/

Harvey Wiley is known as the "father of the FDA. Wiley designed the table trials -- and convinced Congress to give him $5,000 to fund them." He was the leader of the Poison Squad, whose goal was to show the physical costs of food additives. Officially, the goal was to “investigate the character of food preservatives, coloring matters, and other substances added to foods, to determine their relation to digestion and to health, and to establish the principles which should guide their use."

 Wiley’s first target was borax. One of the most common food preservatives in 1902, it tightened up animal proteins, giving the impression of freshness; consequently, packers often used it to doctor decomposing meat. From October 1902 to July 1903, Wiley’s squad ate it with every meal.  Before long, the group determined that borax did, indeed, cause headaches, stomachaches, and other digestive pains…in addition to imparting an unpleasant flavor to food.

Wiley’s efforts eventually paid off. On 1906, Congress passed the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act – the first federal laws aimed at food regulation. In the process, Wiley also had to cede his bully pulpit to the biggest bully of them all: Teddy Roosevelt. Although the Pure Food and Drug Act was originally known as “the Wiley Act,” Roosevelt took full credit for its passage, leaving Wiley in the cold. Even so, Wiley’s power grew: the Bureau of Chemistry was charged with enforcing the new law. The Poison Squad closed up shop in 1907

http://www.esquire.com/blogs/food-for-men/poison-squad

            Wiley left his governmental post in 1912. Before he left the government, Wiley had been sought to set up and direct the Bureau of Foods, Sanitation, and Health for Good Housekeeping. The magazine, begun in 1885, had already created the Good Housekeeping Institute laboratories to ensure the reliability of its editorial pages. Once Wiley was on staff, with his own chemistry laboratories in Washington, D.C., where he could monitor government activities, he continued his fight for pure foods from the pages of the magazine. In his 19 years as director of the bureau at Good Housekeeping, he led the fight for tougher government inspection of meat; for pure butter unadulterated with water; and for whole wheat flour, which growers were mixing with other grains. The bureau analyzed food products and published the findings; its "Tested and Approved" seal became the coveted symbol of responsible industry, and the Good Housekeeping Seal remains the pre-eminent consumer emblem today.

Cardiomyopathy

One of the first reports on cobalt intoxication was in 1967, it was later called Quebec beer drinkers ‘cardiomyopathy. Doctors first believed that it was viral, but they could not isolate the virus. The presence of an anti-influenza a complement fixing antibody, was repeatedly found in the bodies of the men. They described that it was prevalent in men in their 40s to 60s who were heavy drinkers who died unexpectedly. It was then thought that the patients were suffering from beriberi heart disease, however a high cardiac output is expected in the acute stage of this heart disease. We do not think chronic beriberi heart disease, hypokinetic and unresponsive to thiamine, is a common entity; the presence of abnormal erythrocyte transketolase activity found in these patients may simply reflect recent nutritional deficiency secondary to heart failure.

            It turned out that the men had all drank beer made at the Dox brewery in Quebec City. The brewery had added cobalt to stabilize the beer’s foam. This company accounts for approximately 80% of the local market in Quebec. A beer of the same name is manufactured in Montreal and, as far as could be ascertained approximately the Quebec Dox brewery beer contained approximately 10 times more cobalt sulfate. This chemical had been added to come Canadian beers since July 1965 to improve the stability of the foam. The absence of satisfactory foam in spite of adequate carbon dioxide content has been a recent problem and is due to the washing of glasses in taverns with detergents and to insufficient rinsing with plain water. For this reason, in larger breweries, cobalt sulphate has been added only to draught beer. However, since the Quebec Dox brewery was a smaller brewery separate batches were not brewed for bottle and for draught beer, and cobalt sulphate was therefore added to all the beer processed in the brewery. Thus, causing the intake levels to be significantly higher than those in Montreal. The same problem occurred in Omaha, the syndrome in both Omaha and Quebec appeared a month after the addition of cobalt sulphate to beer and no new cases developed a month after this procedure was discontinued.

            Cobalt has been used extensively as an antianemic agent and it is remarkable that the patients in the Quebec cases were polycythemic. Also, in the Quebec cases thyroid lesions typical of the cobalt-induced goiters were described. It was found that other factors have increased these patients’ susceptibility to cobalt. The absorption of cobalt is known to be extremely variable: it is diminished after a meal, it varies with the quantity and the type of dietary protein, it varies with the pH of the stomach and upper duodenum, and it is increased if iron deficiency exists. Cobalt has been shown to have a biological action of great complexity. It has been used in vitro to stimulate certain enzymes systems and inhibit others. Webb have discovered that the inhibition of ketoacid oxidation is the point at which cobalt acts on cell metabolism, blocks the Krebs cycle and aerobic cellular respiration. The type of biological activity of cobalt is dependent on the concentration of the metal. It was found that in various species diffuse myocardial degeneration with interstitial edema as the result of cobalt. It would appear that cobalt was the essential factor in the production of the Quebec beer-drinkers’ cardiomyopathy.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1923410/pdf/canmedaj01236-0048.pdf

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/how-quebec-beer-and-tv-s-dr-house-solved-a-medical-mystery-1.2526403 

Radon

Radon is a chemical element with the symbol Rn and atomic number 86. Radon is radioactive, colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas. It was first discovered by English physicist Ernest Rutherford in 1899. Radon is chemically unreactive inert gas, reaction with other compounds is rare but it is not completely inert and forms stable molecules with highly electronegative materials.  The atomic radius is 1.34 angstroms and it is the heaviest known gas-radon is nine times denser than air. Radon is a single atom gas which makes it easy for it to penetrate many common materials like paper, leather, low density plastic, paints, building materials such as gypsum board (sheetrock), concrete block, and most insulations. Radon is also fairly soluble in water and organic solvents. Radon-222 and radon-220 are found in significant concentrations in the human environment, radon-222 most readily occurs in the environment.

                Radon has been used in some spas for presumed medical effects. It is also used to initiate and influence chemical reactions and as a surface label in the study of surface reaction. Radon is obtained by pumping the gases off of a solution of radium salt, sparking the gas mixture to combine the hydrogen and oxygen, removing the water and carbon dioxide by adsorption, and freezing out the radon. It is usually found in igneous rock and soil, but in some cases, well water may also be a source of radon.

                The primary routes of potential human exposure to radon are inhalation and ingestion. Radon in the ground, groundwater, or building materials enters working and living spaces and disintegrates into its decay products. Although high concentrations of radon in groundwater may contribute to radon exposure through ingestion, the inhalation of radon released from water is usually more important.

                If your home has high concentrations of radon there are ways to reduce it to acceptable levels. Most radon problems can be fixed by a do-it-yourselfer for less than $500. If you want or require the assistance of a professional you may wish to look at the list of certified radon mitigators for your state.

http://www.radon.com/radon/radon_facts.html

Radon is a cancer-causing gas. Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That's because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. It can get into any type of building — homes, offices, and schools — and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time. If your home does test positive for high levels of radon do not worry, you can fix the problem. Radon reduction systems work and they are not too costly. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html

Carrageenan

Carrageenan is a common food additive that is extracted from red seaweed, Chondrus Crispus, which is popularly known as Irish moss. It holds no nutritional value but is still used in many foods as a thickener and emulsifier to improve the texture of ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, soy milk, and other processed foods. There have shown to be animal studies that have linked degraded forms of it (the type not used in food) to ulcerations and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Even more recently studies have shown that undegraded carrageenan (the type used in foods) with malignancies and other stomach problems. The difference between degraded and undegraded forms of carrageenan is in their molecular structure and their molecular weight, undegraded having the higher of the two.

                Dr. Tobacman has published 18 peer-reviewed studied that address the biological effects of carrageenan and is positive that it is harmful to human health. She found that when we consume it in processed foods, we ingest enough to cause inflammation in our bodies, because all forms of carrageenan cause inflammation. We know that chronic inflammation is a root cause of many serious diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases, and cancer. In the past carrageenan has been used in studies to cause inflammation in tissues in order to test the anti-inflammatory properties of drugs. When lab mice are exposed to low concentrations of carrageenan for 18 days, they develop profound glucose intolerance and impaired insulin action, which can both lead to diabetes. In 2012 she presented this information to the National Organic Standards Board. Their decision is unknown as to if they listened to Dr. Tobacman’s presentation and took it off the organic foods list or not.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA401181/Is-Carrageenan-Safe.html

                Want to know how to cut carrageenan out of your diet? Scan the label to see if it is listed as an ingredient, if it is not on the list it is not in the food since it must legally appear on food labels. Although organic foods do not allow GMO’s, chemical pesticides, and toxic synthetic additives, the program does allow carrageenan so check organic foods as well as non-organic ones. The U.S Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Standards Board isn’t set to vote on removing it from organics for three more years. To get carrageenan removed from the foods, sign the Carrageenan Petition to the FDA to let the federal agency know you don’t want this ingredient in the food chain. I myself have signed this petition now that I know what carrageenan is and that it has a negative effect on humans and should not be being consumed by them. The Cornucopia Institute created a Buying Guide to help you shop carrageenan-free products. Vallaeys says the good news is companies like Stonyfield Farm, So Delicious, Eden Foods, and Oregon Ice Cream are voluntarily working to reformulate carrageenan-free products. I also think that eliminating carrageenan from the human diet will help save the coral reefs from less human disturvbance that is being caused by gathering the carrageenan to use in many foods.

http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/carrageenan-natural-ingredient-you-should-ban-your-diet

TMN Cancer Rating System

            Cancer is when cells or a tumor have departed far from what is recognized as normal with respect to structure, growth, and replication. A tumor is a mass of cells whose growth is atypical when compared to normal surrounding tissue structure, tumors may be benign or malignant. A benign tumor is a noncancerous growth that remains confined to the growth site, it may grow in size over time but does not invade into surrounding tissues. A malignant tumor is cancerous that could spread from its primary growth site to potentially distant sites by its ability to metastasize. There are various stages of cancer, these stages describe the extent or severity of a person’s cancer. It is beneficial to know what stage the patient is in to help the doctors select a treatment plan and to assess the patients’ prognosis. There are various staging systems that are used depending on the type of cancer a person has.

“Principles and Practices of Toxicology in Public Health” by Ira S. Richards and Marie Bourgeois. Pg 191

            In this blog I will be discussing the TNM staging system, it is based on the size and/or extent of the primary tumor (T), the amount of spread to nearby lymph nodes (N), and the presence of metastasis (M) or secondary tumors formed by the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body. A number is added to each letter to indicate the size and/or extent of the primary tumor and the degree of cancer spread. 

            If there is an X placed next to any of the letters it means that the primary tumor/regional lymph nodes/distant metastasis cannot be evaluated. If a 0 id placed next to the T it means that there is no evidence of a primary tumor, if it is placed next to the N there is no lymph node involvement, and if it is placed next to the M there is no distant metastasis. If a 1, 2, 3, or 4 is placed next the the T it represents the size and extent of the primary tumor. If a 1, 2, or 3 is placed next to the N, it represents the degree of regional lymph node involvement. If a 1 is placed next to the M, it means that distant metastasis is present. If  “is” is placed next to T, it means that there is carcinoma in situ, or that abnormal cells are present but have not spread to neighboring tissue and is not labeled as cancer but it could become cancer.

            To determine what stage of cancer you are in there are various types of tests that are used depending on what kind of cancer you have. Physical exams are when the doctor examines the body by looking, feeling, and listening for anything unusual. The results of this exam may show the location and size of tumor(s) and the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes or any other tissues/organs. Imaging studies produce pictures of areas inside the body. Examples of this method are: x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, which show the location of cancer, the size of the tumor, and whether the cancer has spread. Laboratory tests and surgical reports are also used to help determine the stage of cancer.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/staging

Return On Investment

1. What would your future self recommend you do differently? 

I think that my future self would recommend that I start to eat healthier and stop eating so many desserts because diabetes runs on my dads side of the family. My future self would also recommend that I have more fun and take more risks in life.

2. What advice would the person you become, 5-10 years in the future, give you today?

My future self would advise that I go out more and have fun and to not stress about my grades so much. It would also tell myself to go hang out with people more so I have more long lasting relationships in the future. Get to know my teammates more while I’m still in college because college flies by fast.

3. What would present you advise past-you to do?

I would have advised myself to not jump into a relationship so fast and so serious my freshman year. Also, to possibly choose a college that was closer to home, not necessarily in Minnesota but states that are closer to it, since it took a long time for me to stop being homesick my freshman year. I would also advise myself to pick the Environment Health Science major my freshman year since I changed my major four times in college and now I possibly won’t be able to graduate on time.

4. Would it be similar to future you advising today you?

No, my advice to my past self is very different than my advice to my current self because I have changed a lot in my three years at college so the advice is very different. Although there is a common aspect in that I would tell myself in both future and past to have more fun and to not worry about my grades as much.

5. How much have you invested in your future self so far?

I have invested a lot in my future self, by going to college I have opened up numerous amounts of opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. By being a college athlete I have kept my body in good shape which has increased the health of my future self, as well as causing future problems since the toll of volleyball adds up after playing it since 4^th grade. I wouldn’t be surprised if in the future I had to get shoulder surgery as well as knee surgery because of volleyball.

6. How much more are you willing to invest?

I am willing to start to decrease the amount of sugar I put in my body to decrease the chances of me getting diabetes in the future. I am willing to invest more time to get the job that I want in my future.

7. Will you be leading a life that is far more fun than it is today?

This question for me is a very difficult one because college is supposed to be one of the more fun times in your life but I believe that I will have more fun in the future than I am having now. Because I will have started my life and have a real career, hopefully, and I am so excited to get married eventually and buy a house and start a family. I know that with each of these things it brings new problems and stresses but I believe that the time that I have invested in each of those things will make the payoff so much better. 

Biotransformations

I had never heard of biotransformations before so I really had to do some research for this blog. From eoearth.org the definition of biotransformation is, the process whereby a substance is changed from one chemical to another (transformed) by a chemical reaction within the body. Biotransformation is vital to survival because it transforms absorbed nutrients (food, oxygen) into substances required for normal body functions.

The biotransformation process is not perfect. When biotransformation results in metabolites of lower toxicity, the process is known as detoxification. In many cases, however, the metabolites are more toxic than the parent substance. This is known as bioactivation. Occasionally, biotransformation can produce an unusually reactive metabolite that may interact with cellular macromolecules (e.g., DNA). This can lead to very serious health effects, for example, cancer or birth defects. An example is the biotransformation of vinyl chloride to vinyl chloride epoxide, which covalently binds to DNA and RNA, a step leading to cancer of the liver.

http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150674/

Biotransformation is essential to convert lipophilic chemicals to water-soluble and readily excretable metabolites. Formally, biotransformation reactions are classified into phase I and phase II reactions. Phase I reactions represent the introduction of functional groups, whereas phase II reactions are conjugations of such functional groups with endogenous, polar products. Biotransformation also plays an essential role in the toxicity of many chemicals due to the metabolic formation of toxic metabolites. These may be classified as stable but toxic products, reactive electrophiles, radicals, and reactive oxygen metabolites. The interaction of toxic products formed by biotransformation reactions with cellular macromolecules initiates the sequences resulting in cellular damage, cell death and toxicity.

http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-7643-8336-7_3

Biotransformation also serves as an important defense mechanism in that foreign compounds or, toxic xenobiotics, and body wastes are converted into less harmful substances and substances that can be excreted from the body. The liver is the main site of biotransformation. All xenobiotics taken up from the intestine are transported to the liver by a single blood vessel (vena porta). If taken up in small quantities a foreign substance may be completely metabolized in the liver before reaching the general circulation and other organs (first pass effect). Inhaled xenobiotics are distributed via the general circulation to the liver. In that case only a fraction of the dose is metabolized in the liver before reaching other organs. Liver cells contain several enzymes that oxidize xenobiotics. This oxidation generally activates the compound—it becomes more reactive than the parent molecule. In most cases the oxidized metabolite is further metabolized by other enzymes in a second phase. These enzymes conjugate the metabolite with an endogenous substrate, so that the molecule becomes larger and more polar. This facilitates excretion.

Enzymes that metabolize xenobiotics are also present in other organs such as the lungs and kidneys. In these organs they may play specific and qualitatively important roles in the metabolism of certain xenobiotics. Metabolites formed in one organ may be further metabolized in a second organ. Bacteria in the intestine may also participate in biotransformation. Metabolites of xenobiotics can be excreted by the kidneys or via the bile. They can also be exhaled via the lungs, or bound to endogenous molecules in the body.

http://ilocis.org/documents/chpt33e.htm

Meth Houses

Making or even smoking meth leaves behind many chemicals that saturates walls, ceilings, floors and carpets with meth as well as mercury, lead, iodine, lithium and poisonous solvents. For each pound of drug, meth "cookers" dump, flush or leave behind 5 to 6 pounds of poisonous waste. Exposure to even small amounts of these poisons can damage humans’ nervous systems, liver and blood production mechanisms. Small children suffer the most. Exposure to women while pregnant can trigger birth defects and developmental problems in babies in the womb.

Meth labs are found in houses, commercial buildings, cabins, mobile homes, RVs, caves, abandoned mines and federal and state forests and parks. The stuff is so easy to make and the ingredients are so cheap and common that some users just make their own at home in two-liter pop bottles or a picnic cooler. Meth labs are easy to conceal. Usually they go undiscovered until a landlord finds a mess when tenants depart or a neighbor phones police to report someone’s weird behavior. The cost of testing, decontaminating and re-testing a house for meth: $16,000.

When starch is sprayed on a contaminated surface, it will turn purple-red. Starch turns color in the presence of iodine, used in cooking meth. It can work, but it’s not reliable or sensitive, so if you don’t see purple, you can’t conclude that a house is clean. In fact, most meth-contaminated homes have no odor or visual clues.

Manufacturing methamphetamine creates more contamination than smoking, but repeated smoking will push levels in a home over state limits to levels that make a structure dangerous to inhabitants. In a 2008 study, “Methamphetamine contamination on environmental surfaces caused by simulated smoking of methamphetamine” (published in the Journal of Chemical Health and Safety), Martyny’s laboratory simulated “six or seven smokes, maybe a little bit more, and it (the result) was well over the limits.”

http://realestate.msn.com/how-to-avoid-buying-a-meth-house?page=2

Plenty of labs have been discovered in expensive homes in “nice” neighborhoods. “We have processed meth labs in the homes of two different dentists, a public accountant and an international banker who had a legitimate income of seven figures,” Connell says. He recently tested and found meth in a “beautiful,” 4,500-square-foot, million-dollar house in downtown Denver.

In 2009, the Drug Enforcement Administration reported clandestine meth labs in 46 states. (Click your state on this DEA map.) Certain areas become hot spots. Lately, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri are a center for labs. One reason: Midwest farmers use tons of anhydrous-ammonia fertilizer on crops. It’s a “precursor” (ingredient) for meth and is stored in big tanks in and around farms. Thieves help themselves and a manufacturing industry grows up around the supply. Even in strict states like Missouri, where meth labs number in the tens of thousands, sellers aren't required to determine whether a home is contaminated before selling it, said Timothy Sigmund, chair of the property law committee of the Missouri Bar Association. Sellers may also be allowed to conceal a home's meth lab past if the house has gone through decontamination.

Some signs of homes that could be a possible previous meth lab are: homes that have been foreclosed, single family homes rather than apartments, a house with a history of police visits. It is also a good idea to talk with the surrounding neighbors about the homes history, call the police for any arrests or drug busts, or even call the health department.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/02/12/real_estate/meth-lab-house/

Epigenetics

““Epigenetics” refers to covalent modification of DNA, protein, or RNA, resulting in changes to the function and/or regulation of these molecules, without altering their primary sequences.”  The Greek prefix “epi” means “on top of” or “above”, so epigenetics literally means regulation above the level of genetic mechanisms. In some cases, epigenetic modifications are passed on to future generations, but in other instances they are dynamic and change in response to environmental stimuli. Nearly every aspect of biology is influenced by epigenetics, making it one of the most important fields in science.

The importance of nature versus nurture has long been disputed. It cannot be denied that environment greatly influences how a child grows and develops, nor can it be denied that our DNA is the blueprint that makes us who we are. Epigenetics merges these two seemingly contradictory lines of thought to explain how environmental factors cause physical modifications to DNA and its associated structures, which result in altered functions.

The big difference between genetic and epigenetic regulation is that epigenetic mechanisms do not involve a change to the DNA sequence, whereas genetic mechanisms involve the primary DNA sequence and changes or mutations to this sequence.  Epigenetic regulation involves the modification of DNA and the proteins associated with DNA, which results in changes to the conformation of DNA and accessibility of other factors to DNA, without a change to the sequence of the DNA. As more factors influencing heredity are discovered, today’s scientists are using epigenetics to decipher the roles of DNA, RNA, proteins, and environment in inheritance. The future of epigenetics will reveal the complexities of cellular differentiation, embryology, the regulation of gene expression, aging, cancer, and other diseases.

http://www.zymoresearch.com/learning-center/epigenetics/what-is-epigenetics

The most widely known epigenetic modification is DNA methylation, which is a chemical process that adds a methyl group to DNA. It is highly specific and always happens in a region in which a cytosine nucleotide is located next to a guanine nucleotide that is linked by a phosphate; this is called a CpG site (Egger et al., 2004; Jones & Baylin, 2002; Robertson, 2002). CpG sites are methylated by one of three enzymes called DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) (Egger et al., 2004; Robertson, 2002). Inserting methyl groups changes the appearance and structure of DNA, modifying a gene's interactions with the machinery within a cell's nucleus that is needed for transcription. DNA methylation is used in some genes to differentiate which gene copy is inherited from the father and which gene copy is inherited from the mother, a phenomenon known as imprinting.

The first human disease to be linked to epigenetics was cancer in 1983. Researchers found that diseased tissue from patients with colorectal cancer had less DNA methylation than normal tissue from the same patients (Feinberg & Vogelstein, 1983). Because methylated genes are typically turned off, loss of DNA methylation can cause abnormally high gene activation by altering the arrangement of chromatin. On the other hand, too much methylation can undo the work of protective tumor suppressor genes. CpG islands become excessively methylated in cancer cells, thereby causing genes that should not be silenced to turn off. This abnormality is the trademark epigenetic change that occurs in tumors and happens early in the development of cancer (Egger et al., 2004; Robertson, 2002; Jones & Baylin, 2002).

http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/epigenetic-influences-and-disease-895

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is also called "environmental illness" or "sick building syndrome." According to WebMD, it refers to a variety of non-specific symptoms reported by some people after possible exposure to chemical, biologic, or physical agents. The symptoms people report are wide-ranging. They include headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, congestion, itching, sneezing, sore throat, chest pain, changes in heart rhythm, breathing problems, muscle pain or stiffness, skin rash, diarrhea, bloating, gas, confusion, trouble concentrating, memory problems, and mood changes. The triggering chemicals include multiple substances such as pesticides, solvents, perfumes, new carpets, automotive exhaust and tobacco smoke. A large proportion of people with chemical sensitivities also report multiple intolerance's to common foods. A lot of these exposures can occur at work, which could cause a high exposure if an accident should occur.

There are no diagnostic tests to determine if you have multiple chemical sensitivity, and there is no proven cure or treatments currently in existence. Some medical professionals are prescribing antidepressants, medicine for anxiety or sleep, and other medications to treat specific symptoms such as headaches. There is not much that doctors can do for a patient with MCS, so it relies partially on the person to put it in their own hands and see which foods or chemicals make their symptoms worse and try to avoid them or minimize exposure if at all possible.

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/multiple-chemical-sensitivity

There was a population-based study done in Southeastern United States on the prevalence of multiple chemical sensitivities, the results of this study showed that 12.6% of the sample reported a hypersensitivity to chemical substances. A similar study done by California Department of Health Services found that 15.9% of the sample reported a hypersensitivity to chemical substances.  Although hypersensitivity is more common in women, it is experienced by both men and women of a variety of ages and educational levels.  Women between the ages of 30 and 50 are especially at risk for developing multiple chemical sensitivity, but the reason why is not clear. According to a report in 1981 by the National Academy of Sciences, it said that 15% of the American population could have a heightened sensitivity to chemicals. People who responded to having a hypersensitivity to chemicals and asthma was at 30.2%. Almost 68% of the respondents reported that the hypersensitivity first emerged before reaching the age of 36.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1448331/

In a study done to see the perceived treatment efficacy for conventional and alternative therapies reported by persons with multiple chemical sensitivity, the three most highly rated treatments were creating a chemical-free living space, chemical avoidance, and prayer. Some treatments examined included environmental medicine techniques, holistic therapies, individual nutritional supplements, detoxification techniques, body therapies, Eastern-origin techniques, newer therapies, prescription items, and others. Both creating a chemical-free living space and chemical avoidance were rated by 95% of respondents as helpful. Results for most therapies were mixed. Participants had consulted a mean of 12 health care providers and spent over one-third, $35,000, of their annual income on health care costs. Although practitioners of environmental medicine have a systematic approach for working with MCS, there is no common MCS treatment protocol that is widely accepted across medical disciplines. Since this condition affects 15% of the American population you would think that there would be a more successful treatment by now. It has been found that chemical avoidance measures were highly effective, whereas prescription drugs were rated the least effective of all treatments.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1241653/

EPA

For this blog I chose to write about the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The main mission of the EPA is to protect the environment and human health.  Although the title of this organization may make it sound like they would handle all environmental concerns of the United States, it does not. Some issues are primary concerns of other federal, tribal, state, or local agencies. ”Many environmental programs have been delegated to the states and they have primary responsibility for them. Often, it is most appropriate to contact your local city, county, or state environmental agency (or health department) rather than EPA.”  http://publicaccess.supportportal.com/link/portal/23002/23012/Article/15450/Does-EPA-handle-all-environmental-concerns

The EPA was created on December 2^nd 1970. The first Earth Day brought the idea of environmentalism to the front of the public’s mind and contributed to the creation of the EPA. 1970 was a year of tremendous environmental action by President Nixon and Congress. The main branch is located in Washington DC.

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/12/gallery-why-nixon-created-the-epa/67351/

EPA was created for the purpose of making sure all Americans are protected from risks to their health and the environment where they live and work. To accomplish this, the EPA develops and enforces regulations to environmental laws that Congress writes. They also set national standards that states enforce with their own regulations. The EPA gives grants to state environmental programs, non-profits, educational institutions, that use the money for different projects. The overall purpose of these projects is to protect the environment and human health. Almost half of the EPA’s budget is used for giving grants. The EPA not only gives out grants for other companies to do projects, but they also have many laboratories of their own across the United States that are used to identify and try and solve environmental problems. To attain a solution to many problems faster the EPA shares information with other countries, private sector organizations, and academic institutions. Another instance of sharing information is shown in the EPA’s sponsor partnerships that are used to help address even more environmental issues. “There are more than 13,000 firms and other organizations participating in EPA Partnership Programs.” http://www.epa.gov/partners/   It is not only the EPA and their partners responsibility to know and alleviate environmental issues, but it also the general public’s responsibility. This is why the EPA teaches people about the environment and things that they can do to help, even down to the basics of reducing energy use and reusing or recycling materials before you end up throwing them away. To make information accessible to the public, the EPA publishes information on their website about current environmental issues and what they are doing to fix or prevent the problem. The website also lists ways that you can volunteer to help save the environment.  

http://www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/our-mission-and-what-we-do

Some current issues on the EPA’s home page are the Clean Power Plan, Proposed Clean Water Rule and Sustainability. The Clean Power Plan proposes to cut carbon pollution from existing power plants, the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. The Proposed Clean Water Rule will clarify the protections that are under the Clean Water Act for streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation’s water resource. The EPA has made great strides in the last five years for progress towards sustainability by providing communities with affordable housing, efficient transportation and economic growth. The EPA deals with many environmental issues and will continue to solve and prevent many issues in the future. 

Aloha Hawaii!

Greetings everyone!

This year for volleyball we were lucky enough to get to go to Hawaii for our first preseason tournament. I am so grateful for this amazing experience and opportunity. The journey there was a long one and it just so happened that on every flight, there and back, the person in front of me decided to put their seat back all the way. This would be fine if I wasn't 6' 2" and the flight was only an hour, but each flight was four hours or longer. When we arrived our host had supplied leis for everyone on the team, beautiful purple orchids strung together.  

We then went to Nuuanu Pali lookout. It was breathtaking, partly because it there was severe wind which made it hard to breathe but mostly because the view was gorgeous. Many of the girls could not control their unruly hair that was being blown in the wind which led to some interesting pictures. After a drive we arrived at the gym to practice which sounded impossible at this moment since I was extremely jet-lagged because of the 6 hour time difference. Our host supplied fresh pineapple, bananas, and this Hawaiian juice for practice that was all refreshing.

The day that we were scheduled to go snorkeling had finally arrived. This is what I was most excited for on the trip since I had never been before. I had bought an underwater disposable camera to take lots of cool pictures of the different creatures. We departed for Hanauma Bay and got our snorkel and fins and got in the water. As soon as I put the snorkel and goggles on I took a deep breath in from my nose and realized with a shock that this was not possible anymore. It was difficult for me to remember to breathe through my nose in the beginning but I soon got the hang of things. The coral reefs were amazing; I had never seen anything like it in person before. Before we got in the water we watched an instructional video about the animals that live in the reef and which ones we should stay away from, they stressed the importance of not getting close to the eels that live in the reefs. As I was swimming along and taking pictures the current got strong and pushed me on top of the reef, the water was very shallow which made it difficult to swim and then it happened. I saw a long skinny fish under me and realized it wasn’t a fish but an eel. I started to kick away as fast as I could and get away from the reef, but during my escape I lost the fin on my left foot. I didn’t look back for it and kept going because of the eel. I caught up to my teammate Shelby and told her what happened and she soon helped me find my missing fin. I would recommend snorkeling to everyone but to always be cautious of the creatures around you.

The next day we got to go to Pearl Harbor Memorial. It was a very somber environment and an interesting experience. I really liked the design of the memorial; I thought it was a great way to honor what had happened there. If you are unfamiliar with the design, they created a white curved structure on top of the ship Arizona that had been sunk during the ambush. The most impactful thing to see at the memorial was the list of all the names of the men that had lost their lives that day.

On the volleyball side of the trip we got to play San Diego State, Arizona State, and Hawaii. The match against Hawaii was definitely my favorite even though we lost. The environment in the gym was very comforting even though the entire gym was filled with their fans. Their fans were great and would cheer for both teams because they just loved good volleyball. I had never experienced this before and appreciated that the audience did this.

We finished 1-2 for the tournament; even though we should have won the tournament our team still learned a lot and will continue to grow as the year goes on. I want to thank everyone involved in our trip to Hawaii, I had a great time! Mahalo!