INTERPRETING TOXICITY INFORMATION
As you complete this Assignment, answer the following questions IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Keep answers brief and concise. (Note: You do not need to use all of the space provided for each question)
Use the resources provided in this Assignment, the posted slides for Lecture 22 on Environmental Health Hazards; also refer to your Textbook (Chapter 19 in Withgott et al. 2013).
1. Review the posted Powerpoint slides for Lecture 22 and Chapter 19 (pages 614-615) in your Textbook.
(a) Distinguish between LD50 and ED50 (in your own words):
– LD50
– ED50
(b) Give one advantage for using animals as test organisms (instead of human subjects)
(c) Give one disadvantage for using animals as test organisms (instead of human subjects)
2. Go to the website – http://www.business.u-net.com/~freya/risk/ld_frame.html and answer the following questions:
(a) Using the Oral LD50 values, rank the 6 ‘comparison chemicals’ (shown in bold print) from the least toxic to the most toxic:
(b) From the Oral LD50 values, which herbicide (normal non-bold print) is most toxic?
(c) From the Oral LD50 values, which herbicide (normal non-bold print) is least toxic?
(d) Assuming that humans react in the same way as the small mammals (mice) tested in lab studies, complete the following table. From the LD50 Toxicity Table (on the right side of the website), determine how much of each of the following chemicals would need to be eaten in order for kill 50% of a population of humans with an average weight of 150 lb? (hints: use the calculator on the left side of the website and watch your units!!)
CHEMICAL LD50
atrazine
caffeine
glyphosate
nicotine
(e) What is the brand-name of the chemical ‘glyphosate’?
(f) Why is the chemical ‘glyphosate’ now used so extensively in modern agriculture?
TOXIC CHEMICALS IN EVERYDAY LIFE
– EXPOSURE THROUGH YOUR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS –
3. Choose 3 personal care items that you use frequently and list them below – then look at the labels and list the top three ingredients (if available) in each these products
# Product Ingredients
1
2
3
4. Based on the video “The Story of Cosmetics”, answer the following questions:
(a) How many personal care products are used daily by women ______ men ______
(b) How many of the chemicals in personal care products have be assessed for safety?
(c) What health problems are linked to cosmetic chemicals?
1)
2)
3)
4)
(d) What mindset contributes to the widespread and accepted use of chemicals in cosmetics today?
5. The list describing ‘the dirty dozen’ – 12 potentially toxic chemicals that are found in many personal care products includes triclosan.
(a) Name three personal care products that are likely to contain this chemical.
1)
2)
3)
(b) Why is this chemical included in many personal care products?
(c) What are three concerns about this chemical?
1)
2)
3)
(d) This chemical has been under review by Health Canada and Environment Canada. What is the current status of triclosan use in Canada?
6. Based on the video “We’re Poisoned – How Plastics are Keeping us Fat!” answer the following questions:
(a) What is an endocrine disruptor?
(b) One chemical that has been identified as an endocrine disruptor is bisphenol A (BPA). Why is BPA used?
(c) List two items containing BPA.
1)
2)
(d) Many health concerns about BPA (and other endrocrine disruptors) include an increase in the incidence of reproductive disorders. List 5 reproductive disorders associated with BPA and other plastics.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
(e) Name four other non-reproductive health concerns associated with about BPA (and other plastics).
1)
2)
3)
4)
7. What is the position of the Canadian government (e.g. Health Canada and Environment Canada) on BPA?
PLACE THIS ORDER OR A SIMILAR ORDER WITH US TODAY AND GET AN AMAZING DISCOUNT 🙂