The action of chemicals on living organisms. Toxicity

The consequences of the action of pollutants on living organisms depend on four groups of factors: 1) chemical and physical properties connections; 2) doses of pollutants; 3) time of their impact; 4) individual characteristics of the organism.

Chemical substances surrounding the inhabitants of planet Earth can be divided into two groups: substances inherent in nature and alien to it (xenobiotics). Nature is characterized by all chemical elements of natural origin of the periodic system of D. I. Mendeleev. They are present in all natural spheres, where they are distributed in accordance with their chemical properties and with the characteristics of a particular environment (air, water, lithological), including biotic. Being natural components of organisms of animals, plants, humans, microorganisms, fungi, they cannot be called toxic.

As for xenobiotics (pesticides, preparations household chemicals etc.), they are designed to perform the functions for which they were created (destruction of pests of agricultural plants, rodents, insects and other living organisms undesirable for the industrial and domestic spheres of humans). Since they are essentially biocides(from the words "bio" - life and "cido" - kill), then their residual amounts in natural environments should not fall into living organisms that are not targets for them. The effect of their toxic action on living organisms (especially the possibility of its fixation at the genetic level) needs to be carefully studied.

Chemical toxicity- this is its inherent ability in certain concentrations to have a harmful effect on living organisms, which manifests itself only when interacting with them. It seems important in the definition of the concept of toxicity to introduce an indication of the concentration of substances. After all, there are no toxic substances among substances of natural origin, there are toxic concentrations. These ideas were expressed by V. I. Vernadsky, A. P. Vinogradov, V. V. Kovalsky.

Mechanisms of action on living organisms chemical substances present in environment, it is advisable to consider the example of microelements Microelements are called chemical elements that are distributed in nature in microquantities (10 3 -10 6%) For many microelements, their participation in the most important biochemical processes has been proven.

The need for microelements in optimal quantities for living organisms is due to their presence in the composition of many enzymes that catalyze important biochemical reactions. The high biochemical activity of microelements is associated with the structure of their atoms. All of them belong to the transition elements of the d-family (Ni, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu), in neutral free atoms of which the d-sublevels are partially filled with electrons. Elements of the p-family (As, Se, Ga, Ge) are close to them in properties. The desire for a completely completed d-sublevel determines the chemical properties of these elements. To participate in the most important biochemical processes, their ability to have different degrees of oxidation (Cu, Fe, Hg), a high tendency to hydrolysis (Zn, Cu), and the ability to complex formation (Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg) is important.

Trace elements are activators of many enzymes. Enzymes provide reactions of synthesis, decay and metabolism in living organisms.

Without the required amounts of trace elements in water, air, food, the normal functioning of living organisms is impossible.

The main reactions associated with the toxic effect of an excess of elements are as follows (Kabata-Pendias, Pendias, 1989).

1) permeability change cell membranes Ag, Au, Br, Cd, Cu, F, Hg, I, Pb;

2) reactions of thiol groups with cations: Ag, Hg, Pb,

3) competition with vital metabolites: As, Sb, Se, Te, W, F;

4) high affinity for phosphate groups and active centers in ADP and ATP Al, Be, Sc, Y, Zr, lanthanides, heavy metals;

5) substitution of vital ions (mainly macrocations) Cs, Li, Rb, Se, Sr;

6) capture in molecules of positions occupied by vital functional groups, such as phosphate and nitrate, arsenate, fluoride, borate, selenate, tellurate, tungstate.

At present, a direct relationship has been established between the content in the environment (in soil, in water) of microelements (Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo, B, etc.) and photosynthesis, protein metabolism, growth processes, plant resistance to adverse environmental factors, such as lack of moisture, increased or low temperatures, disease resistance.

Since microelements play important role in the fate of living organisms, the latter sensitively react both to their deficiency and their excess in the environment. There are three types of geochemical (biogeochemical) situations that cause disturbances in the functioning of living organisms and, in extreme cases, lead to the emergence of endemic diseases: 1) deficiency of a microelement (or microelements) in the components of the environment; 2) increased content of microelement (or microelements); 3) violation of the optimal ratio of trace elements.

These geochemical situations have a specific effect on living organisms.

The specific action is due to the participation of chemical elements in certain biochemical reactions in living organisms. It manifests itself, as a rule, with a sharp deficiency or when exposed to high concentrations of these elements. The types of specific action of chemicals on living organisms are diverse. They provide:

1) carcinogenic effect, i.e. cause malignant formations. There are true carcinogens, cancer-like, co-carcinogenic substances. True carcinogens are those that directly lead to malignant transformation of cells in living organisms. This ability is possessed by polyaromatic hydrocarbons, nitroso compounds and one of the most powerful carcinogens, benzo (a) pyrene. Procarcinogens are substances whose metabolites have a carcinogenic effect. Cocarcinogens - substances that affect the development of a malignant process (resins, croton oils, emulsifiers, phenols, some fractions of tobacco smoke and overheated fats);

2) teratogenic effect, which is associated with malformations of individual development, as well as deformities in various organisms. These changes can be observed at the level of the individual, but can also be fixed at the genetic level (of a certain type of cell or genotype of the organism as a whole). Gigantism, dwarfism of plants in the zone of geochemical anomalies can serve as an example. The presence of morphological changes in plants is used in the search for metal ores in the region. The teratogenic effect can cause an excess, a lack of elements in the environment, or a violation of their ratio. It can also be triggered by xenobiotics, such as pesticides;

3) embryotropic action (in relation to vertebrates it is called blastogenic), consisting in a violation of the development of the embryo and, as a result, the occurrence of deformities, various anomalies of living organisms. Under the influence of alcohol, lead, mercury, insufficiently studied drugs, intrauterine malformations of the fetus at different stages of its development and even death are possible. An example would be the drug thalidomide, which was recommended as a hypnotic but was soon banned because it caused nervous system disease, general stunting, skin ulcers;

4) the allergic effect consists in a violation of the reaction of organisms to repeated exposure to microbes, foreign proteins, which leads to a decrease in immunity. Cause various substances of natural and man-made origin.

A nonspecific effect of chemicals on living organisms is also possible, which is observed when exposed to low concentrations of these substances for a long time. It causes an exacerbation of diseases in living organisms caused by causes not related to the violation of biochemical processes occurring with the participation of these substances. They exacerbate the effect of direct sources of the disease, which leads to an exacerbation of chronic diseases, disruption of the functioning of the system in its weakest link, or disharmony of the system as a whole.

VV Kovalsky developed a theory about the relationship between the chemical composition of living organisms and the content of chemical elements in the environment. According to this theory, optimal concentrations of chemical elements are favorable for living organisms during external environment, both low and high concentrations of these substances are dangerous for them.

From the concept of the limits of the possible normal development living organisms, it follows that all chemical elements created by nature are necessary for living organisms. Relatively recently (50-60s), experts found out the reasons for the lack of microelements such as Cu, Zn, Mo, Mn in soils, and developed methods for eliminating it. At present, on the contrary, the focus is on situations associated with an excess of these and other elements in the environment, which have come to be called heavy metals. If at the moment there is no convincing evidence of the need for some of the elements, then this may be due to a lack of information about them due to imperfection. modern methods analysis.

Pathological processes in living organisms, caused by an excess or deficiency of certain chemical elements, were known several thousand years before the discovery of the elements themselves.

One of the first, long-known diseases - endemic goiter - was mentioned in Chinese literature as early as 4000 years ago. For the treatment of this disease in ancient times, seaweed was recommended. Only in the middle of the XIX century. it was found that the lack of iodine in soils, waters, products can cause thyroid disease in vertebrates. Therefore it was effective treatment diseases of seaweed rich in iodine and other iodine preparations.

Attention to Se was shown in 1931, when it was found that lameness develops in animals with selenium poisoning. After 25 years, it was found that the lack of selenium leads to muscular dystrophy of animals. It is now recognized that Se provides the resistance of living organisms to the toxic effects of chemicals and has a strong anticarcinogenic effect.

As for arsenic, it has long been considered a poison. But in 1975, its necessity was recognized to ensure the normal functions of living organisms, including reproductive ones. Poisonous are As biotransformation products, such as trimethylarsine, dimethylarsine, which can form molds under anaerobic conditions.

The impact of soil pollutants on human health has its own characteristics. Soil chemicals, as a rule, enter the human body not directly, but through food chains: soil-water-human, soil-water-plants-human, soil-plants-animal-human. This circumstance should be taken into account when assessing the danger of soil chemicals for humans.

Organic pollutants exhibit carcinogenic activity. Methyl-substituted PAHs, benzo(a)pyrene, and benzo(a)fluoranthene are especially dangerous. Their carcinogenic effect depends on the route of entry into the body. Using benz(a)pyrene as an example, it was shown that oral exposure in experimental animals caused tumors to develop in the stomach, and intrathecal exposure to tumors in the lungs. The blastomogenic effect, as a rule, did not depend on the route of entry of the toxicant.

Consider, using the example of cobalt, the relationship between the content of the element in the environment and the state of living organisms.

Cobalt is an essential and indispensable component of vitamin B 12, the molecule of which contains one Co atom. The prosthetic group of vitamin B 12 has a heme-like structure, and Co is in it in a trivalent state. The question of the mechanism of action of cobalt on living organisms has not been finally resolved. The biological activity of Co seems to be associated with its ability to form complexes with enzymes due to the formation of bonds with sulfhydryl and N-histidine groups. The prosthetic group plays an important role in living organisms as a methylating agent and as a coenzyme of mutases that catalyze hydrogen transfer. The element is indispensable for cell respiration, energy production and oxidative reactions. The lack of Co, for example in ruminants, causes a disease called in different countries "coastal disease", "bush disease", more often - "wasting". The cure or prevention of disease in animals has been achieved by the administration of cobalt salts.

High doses of Co are dangerous for living organisms. The toxicity of Co was studied, its lethal doses were worked out on various experimental animals under various methods of exposure to the salts of the element. The most important clinical and physical symptoms acute cobalt poisoning is a violation of breathing, cardiac activity, lethargy, intraocular hemorrhage, paralysis of the hind limbs. These symptoms were observed during inhalation of Co-containing aerosol particles to rabbits, hamsters, and rats. The introduction of Co salts with feed to pigs caused them anorexia, impaired coordination, and tremor of the limbs. In rats, dogs, mice, rabbits, they caused hyperglycemia, pancreatic dysfunction, hypertrophy of the lungs, spleen and heart. In guinea pigs, rats, rabbits, dogs, which were given food with a high content of Co, cardiomyopathy was noted. Subcutaneous injections of solutions of Co salts caused the formation of cancerous tumors in experimental mice. In experiments with the introduction of Co salts to rats, it was noted toxic effect their reproduction and development; in experiments with bacteria and yeast, mutagenic effects were noted.

In the human body, cobalt required element. On average, the human body contains about 1 mg of cobalt, almost half - in the muscles. Close to this value and the average daily intake the person of this element. The main sources of vitamin B 12 for humans are meat, fruits, vegetables, grains. If the optimal level of Co content in the human body is violated, pathological changes are observed.

The toxic effect of cobalt salts on the health of people, in particular, those who consumed products to which, in accordance with the technology, cobalt salts were added, was revealed. The effect was manifested in the pathology of the heart. Confirmations have been obtained that Co is a metal with a pronounced allergic potential. The effect of exposure to its salts on human skin causes an outbreak of dermatitis. The consequences of industrial contact of people with cobalt are established. These include the production of tungsten and cemented carbides. Numerous diseases of workers in these industries with pulmonary diseases have been identified, including bronchial asthma - "cobalt lung" and alveolitis, as well as shortness of breath, loss of smell, and gastrointestinal pathology.

On the basis of ideas about the mechanisms of formation of the biological activity of cobalt, which is associated with its ability to form complexes with enzymes, antidotes are being developed for people in case of poisoning with cobalt. In particular, a positive effect was obtained from the use of competing complexation. As therapeutic agents for diseases caused by an excess of cobalt, preparations containing EDTA, DTPA, N-acetyl-L-cystine are proposed, which should ensure the breakdown of cobalt complex compounds that cause a toxic effect (Problems of environmental pollution. 1993).

The results of theoretical and experimental studies of the problems of toxicology and the effect of chemicals on living organisms in the late XX - early XXI century. only confirmed the brilliant idea, which in the first half of the XVI century. formulated the great German physician and naturalist Paracelsus, saying: “What is and what is not poison? All substances are poisons, and there are no substances without poison. Only the dose determines the toxicity.

In contact with

Household chemicals occupy an important place in our lives - washing dishes and floors, washing and cleaning the apartment, air fresheners, etc. From the TV screen, in stores and when communicating with friends, we often hear which tool does a better job of cleaning the apartment, and which one is worth buying. But in few places we will hear about the composition of household chemicals, about the quality of these products, and what effect household chemicals will have on us and our loved ones.

Often people do not even suspect what a huge amount of dangerous toxins ever created are located directly in our homes: in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the rooms. The purpose of this article is not to scare you, but to make you aware of the harmful effects of household chemicals and create a clean and healthy home for you, your family and your pets.

Safety and quality of household chemicals

When buying household chemicals, first of all, you should pay attention to the manufacturer himself. It is better to buy products from companies whose products have been certified, approved by organizations responsible for health and the environment. Also, the company must be on the market for more than a year to testify to the quality of its products. It is good if cleaning products have natural ingredients. Try not to buy products from your hands, which will significantly protect yourself from fakes.

As for the safety of household chemicals, companies that call their products environmentally friendly, non-toxic, safe and harmless are more responsible for this. This is mostly true, since companies that produce such products are liable under the law if any of the buyers are harmed by their use.

It is advisable to read the composition of purchased household chemicals. The composition may contain chemical elements that can cause great harm to the body. Most of these substances have long been banned in European countries, but on our shelves these substances are still in the composition of products.

Avoid products that contain:

Chlorine

It has long been known that chlorine is dangerous. It leads to diseases of the cardiovascular system, contributes to the occurrence of atherosclerosis, hypertension, various allergic reactions. Chlorine destroys proteins in the human body, adversely affects human hair and skin, and increases the risk of cancer. Although chlorine is found in household chemicals in small quantities, it still causes harm every time the products with it are used, and even when these products are not used, the chlorine disappears, and everyone who is nearby constantly inhales it.

Phosphates

Phosphates also do great harm to the human body, over time this can lead to various diseases and development cancer cells. They have been banned in many countries around the world for over 10 years. Currently, in Germany, Italy, Austria, Norway, Switzerland and the Netherlands, only phosphate-free powders are washed. In Belgium, more than 80% of powders are phosphate-free, in Denmark - 54%, Finland and Sweden - 40%, France - 30%, Great Britain and Spain - 25%, Greece and Portugal - 15%. In Japan, by 1986, there were no phosphates in washing powders at all. Laws to ban phosphates in detergents are in place in the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and South Africa. In the US, such bans cover more than a third of all states.

Anionic surfactants

They are also referred to as A-surfactants. These are the most aggressive of the surfactants. They cause immune disorders, allergies, damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, lungs. The worst thing is that surfactants are able to accumulate in organs and this is facilitated by phosphates, because they increase the penetration of surfactants through the skin and contribute to the accumulation of these substances on tissue fibers. Even 10 rinses in hot water are not completely free of chemicals. Woolen, semi-woolen and cotton fabrics (children's!) retain substances most strongly. Unsafe concentrations of surfactants persist for up to four days. This creates a focus of constant intoxication within the body itself.

Dishwashing liquids

One of the most dangerous types of household chemicals is dishwashing detergents. They are not particularly toxic, but constantly get into food from "clean" plates. It has long been proven that they are difficult to wash when washing dishes, even if we wash the dishes several times with running water. The next time we eat from this dish, the food, along with the chemicals on the dishes, enters our body directly.

Try to use less chemicals, and more natural means - soda, mustard and other means that do not harm the body. And if you really have to, then dilute the detergent with water in a ratio of one to two. Pour half of the detergent from another container, and feel free to dilute the remaining half with water. This is both savings (the consumption is half as much) and less harm, and the dishes are also washed well. In addition, wash more thoroughly, rather than rinsing, the dishes under the tap. This will help you and your family eat less chemicals.

Air fresheners

This type of household chemicals is ineffective, since it does not remove the cause of the bad smell, but only hides it for a while, replacing the unpleasant smell with harmful air. Often it is necessary to remove the cause of the smell - to keep the apartment clean or to ventilate the room, and then there is no need to use air fresheners. You can also use more natural products to create a pleasant smell in the apartment - flowers, fragrance sticks, essential oils, orange peels, coniferous branches, etc.

Air freshener manufacturers struggle to keep the air freshener scent in the air for as long as possible. This causes great harm to the body, since all this time we breathe this air freshener and poison our body through the lungs.

The harmful effects of aerosols are well known to people with allergic diseases, as well as to children. But even if your body does not give signals that you are breathing contaminated air, this does not mean that they do not harm you. It’s just that you won’t know about the result immediately, but over time, through headaches, dry throat, dry cough, redness and various allergic reactions organism.

To get rid of the reason unpleasant odors, first of all, you need to regularly clean the apartment, air it regularly, close the door to the toilet tightly and establish ventilation there. Usually this is enough to always have clean and fresh air in the apartment.

Washing powders

All washing powders are very active detergents. Even children's and hypoallergenic powders are hazardous to health. Any detergent should be handled with extreme care.

No matter how carefully you rinse your clothes, some of the powder still remains in the fabric and, putting on fresh clothes, the body contacts the powder, which enters our body through the pores of the skin. Sensitive people, and especially children, immediately feel itching or redness on the skin. Therefore, with each wash should be set to washing machine extra rinse mode.

Washing powder should be stored away from food, dishes, children's toys. Pour the powder should be very careful, otherwise the dust of the powder can get into your lungs.

It is advisable to open the door to the bathroom during machine washing, and go out into another room yourself, so that as little as possible of the harmful substances contained in the powder enters the lungs. It is advisable to ventilate the apartment after washing.

To avoid contact with washing powders, hand washing should be avoided. If you still have to wash your hands, then you should do it in special gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after washing.

Insect control products

People use pesticides because they effectively kill unwanted insects in the apartment. But the problem is that after their use, harmful substances remain in the apartment, from which children and pets especially suffer.

As with other chemicals, there are many non-toxic solutions for almost every pesticide application. Keep food in resealable containers. Mousetraps, flytraps (adhesive paper) and cockroach traps are all effective for indoor pests. Boric acid and pepper scattered in strategic places (near the wall behind the kitchen furniture, along the walls) are also effective. Pieces of cedar and bags of herbs (such as wormwood) repel moths in cabinets.

Lastly, about the impact of household chemicals on the world around us

Almost all household chemicals used today do not break down in nature. This means that laundry detergent or dishwashing detergent washed down the drain today will likely be present in our rivers, seas and oceans for many years to come. For this reason, the quality of drinking water is deteriorating, the aquatic inhabitants of our planet are suffering, the number of beaches safe for swimming is decreasing, and seafood is becoming more dangerous when consumed.

For the sake of your health, your loved ones and our entire planet, it is better, if possible, to replace household chemicals with less dangerous analogues - laundry soap, soda, vinegar, water, after all. Alternatives to household chemicals exist for all occasions in in large numbers, and if you have a desire, you can learn about them through other articles on this and other sites on the Internet. If you can’t switch to alternatives to household chemicals, then at least be aware that you are not using harmless powders or liquids, but potentially dangerous chemicals. Therefore, be careful with them and try to use them in smaller quantities.

From a medical and biological standpoint, the environmental factors of the urban environment have the greatest impact on the following trends:

• - the process of acceleration;
• - violation of biorhythms;
• - Allergization of the population;
• - growth of oncological morbidity and mortality;
• - an increase in the proportion of overweight people;
• - backlog physiological age from calendar;
• - "rejuvenation" of many forms of pathology;
• - abiological tendency in the organization of life, etc.

Acceleration? this is the acceleration of the development of individual organs or parts of the body in comparison with a certain biological norm. In our case? this is an increase in body size and a significant shift in time towards earlier puberty.

Scientists believe that this is an evolutionary transition in the life of the species, caused by improving living conditions: good food, which “removed” the limiting effect of food resources, which provoked selection processes that caused acceleration.

biological rhythms? The most important mechanism for regulating the functions of biological systems, which was formed, as a rule, under the influence of abiotic factors, can be violated in urban life.

This primarily applies to circadian rhythms: new environmental factor was the use of electric lighting, which extended daylight hours. Desynchronosis is superimposed on this, chaotization of all previous biorhythms occurs and a transition to a new rhythmic stereotype occurs, which causes diseases in humans and in all representatives of the city's biota, in which the photoperiod is disturbed.

Allergization of the population? one of the main new features in the changed structure of the pathology of people in the urban environment.

Allergy? perverse sensitivity or reactivity of the body to a particular substance, the so-called allergen (simple and complex mineral and organic substances).

Are allergens external to the body? exoallergens and internal? autoallergens. Can exo-allergens be infectious? pathogenic and non-disease-causing microbes, viruses, etc. and non-infectious? house dust, animal hair, plant pollen, medications, other chemicals? gasoline, chloramine, etc., as well as meat, vegetables, fruits, berries, milk, etc.

Autoallergens? these are pieces of tissues of damaged organs (heart, liver), as well as tissues damaged by burns, radiation exposure, frostbite, etc.

Cause allergic diseases(bronchial asthma, urticaria, drug allergy, rheumatism, lupus erythematosus, etc.)? in violation of the human immune system, which, as a result of evolution, was in balance with the natural environment.

Is the urban environment characterized by a sharp change in dominant factors and the emergence of completely new substances? pollutants, the pressure of which the human immune system has not experienced before.

Therefore, an allergy can occur without much resistance from the body, and it is difficult to expect that it will become resistant to it at all.

Cancer morbidity and mortality? one of the most indicative medical trends of trouble in a given city or, for example, in a city contaminated with radiation countryside. These diseases are caused by tumors.

Tumors (Greek "onkos") - neoplasms, excessive pathological growths of tissues. Can they be benign? condensing or pushing apart the surrounding tissues, and malignant? growing into surrounding tissues and destroying them.

Destroying blood vessels, they enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, forming the so-called metastases. benign tumors metastases do not form.

The development of malignant tumors, i.e. cancer, may result from prolonged contact with certain foods: lung cancer? miners in uranium mines, skin cancer? chimney sweeps, etc. This disease is caused by certain substances called carcinogens.

Carcinogenic substances (Greek: “causing cancer”) or simply carcinogens are chemical compounds that can cause malignant and benign neoplasms in the body when exposed to it. Several hundred are known. By the nature of their action, they are divided into three groups:

• 1) local action;
• 2) organotropic, i.e. affecting certain organs;
• 3) multiple action, causing tumors in different organs.

Carcinogens include many cyclic hydrocarbons, nitrogen dyes, and alkalizing compounds. They are found in air polluted by industrial emissions, in tobacco smoke, coal tar and soot. Many carcinogenic substances have a mutagenic effect on the body.

In addition to carcinogenic substances, tumors are also caused by tumor-causing viruses, as well as the action of certain radiations? ultraviolet, x-ray, radioactive, etc.

In addition to humans and animals, tumors also affect plants. They can be caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, insects, low temperatures. They are formed on all parts and organs of plants. Cancer of the root system leads to their premature death.

In economically developed countries, mortality from cancer is in second place. But not all cancers are necessarily found in the same area. Certain forms of cancer are known to be associated with certain conditions, for example, skin cancer is more common in hot countries, where there is an excess of ultraviolet radiation.

But the incidence of cancer of a certain localization in a person can vary depending on changes in the conditions of his life.

If a person has moved to an area where this form is rare, the risk of contracting this particular form of cancer is reduced and, accordingly, vice versa.

Thus, the relationship between cancer and the environmental situation is clearly highlighted, i.e. the quality of the environment, including the urban one.

As a result of exposure to a polluted environment, as well as in case of violation of technological processing or storage conditions, toxic substances can appear in food products. They are called pollutants. These include toxic elements. They are indicated in the international requirements for food products by the joint commission of FAO (UN Food Organization) and WHO (World Health Organization), in a document called "Codex Alimentarius". According to this document, the most important in food hygiene control are eight elements - mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, copper, zinc, tin and iron. In our country, this list also includes nickel, chromium, selenium, aluminum, fluorine and iodine. Mercury, lead and cadmium represent the greatest danger among all listed elements.

Accumulation of chemical elements during internal organs person leads to the development various diseases. Of the elements most accumulate in the human body:

• - cadmium, chromium - in the kidneys,
• - copper - in the gastrointestinal tract,
• - mercury - in the central nervous system,
• - zinc - in the stomach, motor apparatus,
• - arsenic - in the kidneys, liver, lungs, cardiovascular system,
• - selenium - in the intestines, liver, kidneys,
• - beryllium - in the organs of hematopoiesis, the nervous system.

Mercury Hg (Hydrargyrum - liquid silver) differs sharply from other metals in its properties: under normal conditions, mercury is in a liquid state, has a very weak affinity for oxygen, and does not form hydroxides. This is a highly toxic, cumulative (i.e., capable of accumulating in the body) poison. It affects the hematopoietic, enzymatic, nervous systems and kidneys. Some organic compounds are most toxic, especially methylmercury. Mercury is one of the elements that are constantly present in the environment and living organisms, its content in the human body is 13 mg.

The Codex Committee of the Joint Commission of FAO and WHO established a weekly safe dose of the presence of total mercury - 5 µg, i.e. five millionths of a gram (!) for every kilogram of mass human body. Permissible concentration metallic mercury in the air - 0.0001 mg per liter. As for methylmercury, its share is even smaller - only 3.3 µg/kg of body weight. The methylated form of mercury, due to its greater solubility in fats, passes through biological membranes faster than inorganic mercury. For example, methylated mercury crosses the placenta more easily, resulting in effects on the developing embryo and fetus. Cases of high concentrations of methylmercury in the blood of newborns were identified, while the content of mercury in maternal blood was normal.

Upon entering the body from the environment, mercury is distributed to organs and subcellular structures. In the body, mercury compounds penetrate into various bodies and tissues, but most of all they are found in the blood, liver, kidneys and brain. An uneven distribution of mercury is observed in cells: 54% accumulates in the soluble fraction, 30% in the nuclear fraction, 11% in the mitochondrial fraction, and 6% in the microsomal fraction.

The number of red blood cells in the blood decreases, degenerative changes develop in the liver and kidneys. Strong inflammatory processes occur in the gastrointestinal tract. In acute poisoning with mercury compounds, there is a characteristic metallic taste in the mouth, salivation, pain in the gums, teeth, abdomen, liquid discharge from the stomach containing blood. In the future, due to kidney damage, there is a complete cessation of urination, harmful substances accumulate in the body, aggravating a serious condition, which leads to death in 5-6 days, and sometimes even earlier.

Mercury is excreted from the body different ways, but very slowly: through the gastrointestinal tract (18-20%), by the kidneys (40%), salivary glands(20-25%) etc.

Some potent mercury compounds - granosan, mercuran and others - long time used as disinfectants, for example, for dressing seeds. Mercury chloride (II) HgCI2, or sublimate, was used for disinfection of medical equipment, laboratory glassware, surface disinfection of the skin. Naturally, in this case, cases of its ingestion into the body were not excluded. Solutions with concentrations from 1:1000 to 1:5000 were used. However, sublimate, even in such low concentrations, is very toxic, has a damaging effect on animal tissues, and has corrosive properties. Now the use of sublimate for disinfection is strictly limited. Some organic mercury compounds have proven to be more effective and less toxic. For external use, for example, phenylmercury nitrate and mercury amidochloride are recommended. The latter is used in the form of a 10% ointment in the treatment of wounds and fungal skin lesions. It should be remembered that the use of any mercury preparations requires strict adherence to safety rules, since mercury can penetrate into the body and through the skin.

Lead Pb is one of the most common toxic elements in the environment, and therefore the effect of its excess on the human body has been studied in most detail.

Lead is indispensable in many industries. The manufacture of batteries for automobiles, the use of lead-containing alloys in printing, the production of cables and many other industries are consumers of this element. Occupational lead poisoning of people working in these industries occurs mainly by inhalation. Cases of acute poisoning are now rare.

Chronic poisoning is observed when inhaling air with high content lead (for example, exhaust gases), as well as when small amounts of lead are taken with food and drinking water for a long time. In chronic poisoning, general weakness, pallor are noted. skin, abdominal pain, "lead border" on the edges of the gums, anemia, impaired renal function. There was also a decrease mental capacity, aggressive behavior and other symptoms. It has been established that chronic intoxication occurs with the consumption of 1-8 mg of lead per day.

Lead, like mercury, has cumulative properties. Absorbed lead is found in the blood and other body fluids, and accumulates in the bones as insoluble tribasic phosphates. Lead, deposited in the bones in the form of an insoluble compound, does not have a direct toxic effect. However, under the influence of certain conditions, its reserves in the bones become mobile, lead passes into the blood and can cause poisoning even in an acute form. Lead mobilization factors include hyperacidity, lack of calcium in food, alcohol abuse. In the light of what has been said, it is very likely that many of us are carriers of lead and only the proper functioning of the body, a rational diet, prevent poisoning.

Lead is excreted from the body through digestive tract and kidneys, with elevated levels of lead in the urine (more than 0.05 mg/l) being one of the indicators of lead poisoning. Establishment of lead excretion with women's milk.

Studies conducted in the United States have shown that children are at significant risk of lead poisoning, especially younger age. This is explained by the fact that a child's body absorbs up to 40% of lead absorbed from food, while an adult's body absorbs only 5 to 10%.

The FAO/WHO Expert Committee has established that the acceptable weekly lead intake for humans is 3 mg. This is based on adult toxicity data and the assumption that only 10% of dietary lead is absorbed. The established value does not apply to infants and young children, since the degree of negative impact lead on this age group. The MPC for lead in the air, as for mercury, is 0.003 mg/m 3 .

Cadmium Cd is an element of high toxicity. Under certain conditions, cadmium ions, having high mobility in soils, easily pass into plants, accumulate in them and then enter the body of animals and humans.

Studies conducted on animals of various levels of organization - from microorganisms to mammals - have shown that cadmium salts have mutagenic and carcinogenic properties and pose a potential genetic hazard.

Cadmium blocks the work of a number of enzymes important for the life of the body. In addition, it affects the liver, kidneys, pancreas, can cause emphysema or even lung cancer. The harmfulness of cadmium is exacerbated by its exceptional cumulative nature. In this regard, even with a small amount of the incoming element, its content in the kidneys or in the liver can, after a while, reach a dangerous concentration. Cadmium is poorly excreted, and from 50 to 75% of the ingested amount is retained in the body.

The most typical manifestation of cadmium poisoning is a violation of the absorption of amino acids, phosphorus and calcium in the kidneys. After the cessation of the action of cadmium, the damage caused by its action in the kidneys remains irreversible.

Scientists have proven that a violation of metabolic processes in the kidneys can lead to a change mineral composition bones. It should be noted that the toxicity of cadmium is affected by the content of zinc in food products. With sufficient intake of zinc in the body, the toxicity of cadmium is reduced.

Another powerful source of cadmium is the wastewater from electroplating shops and industries.

Cadmium can also appear in the canning industry when using tin containers (the parts of which are connected by soldering) in case of violation of the soldering technology, the use of random solders or poor-quality coatings.

Cadmium can accumulate in the liver of fish to a very significant amount. A high content of it in oysters has also been established. It can also accumulate in the liver of animals...

FAO and WHO have set a safe maximum dose for it - 6.7-8.3 mcg / kg.

Arsenic As is a chemical element from the group of non-metals, found in small quantities in all animal and plant organisms. Arsenic is a highly toxic cumulative poison that affects the nervous system. Arsenic enters with food and accumulates mainly in the liver, spleen, kidneys and blood (erythrocytes), as well as hair and nails.

This fact is used in forensic medicine to analyze hair and nails in case of suspected arsenic poisoning. Arsenic is excreted in sweat, urine and other metabolic products. The lethal dose is 200 mg. Chronic intoxication is observed when consuming 1-5 mg per day. In acute poisoning, its symptoms usually occur within 20-30 minutes. At the same time, there are pronounced signs of an upset gastrointestinal tract, a burning sensation and a metallic taste in the mouth. There is a sharp general and cardiac weakness, a sharp decline blood pressure, loss of consciousness. Often poisoning ends in death. If the victim can be brought out of a serious condition, he has depression of the central nervous system, debilitating pain in the limbs. FAO and WHO have established a weekly safe dose of 5 µg/kg body weight. For more toxic inorganic arsenic compounds, the norm is 2 μg/kg of body weight per day, i.e. 138 mcg per day for a person weighing 69 kg.

Coming from the gastrointestinal tract, arsenic and various arsenic compounds are quickly absorbed by body tissues, especially the liver. The toxic effect of arsenic is associated with a violation of oxidative processes in tissues due to the blockade of a number of enzyme systems in the body. The most rapidly under the influence of arsenic is destroyed nervous tissue.

For a long time, arsenic was considered a classic poison, and this led to a constant tightening of its MPC. In many years of experiments on animals in determining the lack of arsenic, repeated cases of sudden death from heart failure were observed. In addition, arsenic deficiency causes stunting of animals and deformity of their limbs.

Doctors have found that in small quantities arsenic has a beneficial effect on the human body: it improves blood formation, increases the absorption of nitrogen and phosphorus, limits the breakdown of proteins and weakens oxidative processes. These properties of arsenic are used in the appointment of arsenic preparations for therapeutic purposes. Inorganic drugs (sodium arsenate (III) solution, arsenic anhydride, etc.) are prescribed for exhaustion, anemia, some skin diseases. In dental practice, a paste with arsenic anhydride ("white arsenic") is used. Organic preparations of arsenic are used in the treatment of relapsing fever, malaria and a number of other infectious diseases.

Copper Cu in certain amounts is necessary for the normal functioning of humans and animals. Clinical practice has shown that in some cases the occurrence of anemia in humans was associated with a lack of copper in food. The daily requirement of an adult for copper, according to WHO, is determined at 2-5 mg or 30 µg/kg of body weight. The maximum allowable daily intake is 50 mcg/kg.

Only a small part of copper in the human body is in the form of free ions, while the main part is bound in the form of complex compounds with proteins. The main protein containing copper is ceruloplasmin. Copper is part of a number of important enzymes involved in redox reactions - cytochrome oxidase, amine oxidase, etc.

However, excessive amounts of copper are toxic. When ingested with food containing more than 50 mcg / kg, there are characteristics poisoning - metallic taste in the mouth, indomitable vomiting, abdominal pain. When taken in smaller amounts, copper accumulates in the liver, which causes physiological disorders in the body - nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

Some copper compounds play the role of catalysts for oxidative processes in food products. In addition, a number of copper compounds destroy vitamins C and A, worsen organoleptic characteristics, and contribute to the formation of toxic products of lipid oxidation. Due to the noted properties, the permissible standards for the content of copper in products are often set below the standards determined by toxicological indicators.

Zinc Zn is an element that our body needs. The human need for zinc is ten times greater than for copper. It has been proven that zinc is a component of almost 80 enzymes. These enzymes include polymers nucleic acids, lacta-, alcohol- and retinol dehydrogenases, as well as phosphatase, proteases and others. Zinc deficiency manifests itself in various symptoms associated with dysfunction of these enzymes.

The consequence of a lack of zinc in the diet is stunted growth in children and adolescents and difficult wound healing. Based on numerous WHO studies, it has been proposed daily dose zinc intake with food for an adult - 22 mg.

The difference between the required amount of zinc consumed with food and its toxic level is quite large.

According to the WHO, the critical excess limit for the intake of zinc in the human body is 200 mg per day.

Zinc is poorly absorbed and has mainly local irritant effect on the gastric mucosa. Symptoms of poisoning appear very quickly (from several minutes to 2-3 hours) after zinc intake and manifest themselves as nausea, vomiting, indigestion. Children are more sensitive to zinc poisoning than adults.

Tin Sn is an element of medium toxicity. Cases of mass poisoning were observed when consuming various juices with a tin content of 300-500 mg/kg. In canned products, especially in the presence of nitrates, the tin content due to tin corrosion during long-term storage can reach a value hazardous to health.

Iron Fe is an essential element in human life. It is involved in the processes of hematopoiesis, participates in the formation of hemoglobin. Iron is also part of the enzymes peroxidase and catalase, is an integral part of the cytochrome system of the body, and is involved in the process of respiration. Iron is present in the human body in the amount of 4-5 g. Its lack in the diet leads to a serious illness - iron deficiency anemia(low hemoglobin, anemia).

Iron deficiency is often observed in people who eat bread, mainly from high-grade flour, which contains little iron. In general, it should be taken into account that grain products are rich in phosphates, which form sparingly soluble compounds with iron, which are poorly absorbed by the human body. After all, only 5-10% of iron is absorbed from grain products, while from meat products up to 30% of this element. In other words, people suffering from iron deficiency anemia should consume more meat. The daily requirement for iron is 12-15 mg.

Public awareness of iron deficiency anemia has led to the popularity and widespread use of iron supplements and supplements. However, it should be remembered that excessive intake of such iron-containing substances can cause severe intoxication especially in children (hemochromatosis). With hemochromatosis, the mechanisms that limit the absorption of iron are violated. As a result, iron is distributed and accumulated in all organs, especially in the liver and pancreas. In this regard, there are violations in the liver (cirrhosis), develops diabetes, heart failure and other equally unpleasant diseases. Iron becomes dangerous when more than 200 mg per day is consumed.

Iron oxidizes foods much more than copper, and its excess in foods spoils them. appearance and taste. Due to the high oxidizing ability of iron, its content, like copper, in products is normalized at a lower level than is necessary for toxicological properties.

The assumption that nickel Ni plays a certain role in human life, until recently it was based on its presence in living tissues, on its binding to plasma β-globulin and its ability to activate certain enzymes in the body. Today, there is an opinion that doses of 0.3-0.6 mg/day are necessary for humans, and convincing evidence has been obtained of the vital need for nickel for the animal body.

Signs of nickel deficiency in all cases were similar: growth retardation, decreased hemoglobin levels, changes in the external integument. At the same time, there are reports of the carcinogenic properties of nickel and its derivatives.

The indispensability of the trivalent chrome Cr (the content of which prevails over its other forms in food products) in the processes of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, glucose utilization in the body. Chromium enhances the effect of insulin action in the peripheral tissues of the human body. Chromium deficiency manifests itself in experimental animals with growth inhibition and signs of impaired glucose metabolism, which leads to the development of symptoms of diabetes.

Chromium and its compounds are widely used in modern industry - in chrome plating of metal products, in the production of glass and porcelain, in leather, textile, chemical and other enterprises. Chromium itself and its divalent compounds have low toxicity. The most poisonous compounds are hexavalent chromium. They are characterized by an irritating and cauterizing effect on the mucous membranes and skin, causing their ulceration. Chromium, entering through the respiratory tract and skin, can accumulate in the liver, kidneys, endocrine glands. Unlike zinc and copper, chromium is very slowly excreted from the body.

At low concentrations of chromium in the air, irritation of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract which causes a runny nose, sore throat, dry cough. At higher concentrations, nosebleeds and even destruction of the nasal septum may occur. Along with a specific effect on the mucous membranes, chromium compounds have a general toxic effect, affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Chronic chromium poisoning is accompanied by headaches, emaciation, kidney damage. The body becomes more prone to inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the gastrointestinal tract and catarrhal inflammation of the lungs.

According to modern data, the toxic effect of excess Selene Se manifests itself in the violation of sulfur metabolism in the body. Selenium displaces sulfur from sulfur-containing amino acids - methionine, cystine, etc. Along with this, the negative effect of an excess of selenium depends on its inherent chemical affinity for hemoglobin. Selenium disrupts the function of hemoglobin and reduces the level of tissue respiration in the body. Selenium has been reported to be carcinogenic to humans and animals.

Aluminum Al is an element that has recently been showing properties that are unpleasant for humans. For example, studies conducted in England have shown a link between aluminum content in drinking water and Alzheimer's disease (degeneration of nerve cells). Other studies show that during storage or heat treatment of products, especially acidic ones, in aluminum containers, the content of this element can almost double in them. However, good housewives never salt cabbage in aluminum dishes, and this experience should be taken into account.

With a lack fluorine F A person develops dental caries. Excess fluoride causes discoloration, staining, and increased brittleness of tooth enamel. The total requirement for this element is about 3 mg/day. Most of it comes with water. The intake of fluorine can vary widely, depending on the region and its content in drinking water. The body defends itself against potentially toxic amounts of fluoride by increasing its excretion in the urine and deposition in the bones. An excess of fluoride in the bones can lead to bone calcification and other undesirable sclerotic changes with age. Excess fluoride in drinking water leads to a disease such as endemic fluorosis, which affects the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. And such a common disease as caries is a consequence of the concentration of fluoride in water below the optimum. The mechanism of action of fluorine on the body is due to the formation of its complex compounds with calcium, magnesium and other elements - activators of enzyme systems. The inhibitory effect of fluorine on enzymes leads to the fact that it can be the "number one competitor" in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and, therefore, affect its function. As a result of studies on the effect of fluorine upon complex intake into the body, it was found that the safe complex daily intake of fluorine in the human body is about 4 mg / day.

Sometimes fluorine can accumulate in significant amounts in plant products, which is why food control is so necessary.

Iodine I is a part of plant and animal organisms in larger or smaller quantities. Comes with food, water and air. Near the sea, the daily requirement for iodine (100-150 mcg) can be partly met by the iodine contained in the air. Absorbed, iodine affects the overall metabolism, enhancing oxidative processes, and especially the function of the thyroid gland. Iodine is an integral part of the main thyroid hormone - thyroxine.

With a lack of iodine in the population living in areas where its content in soil, water, air, and, consequently, in food is reduced, the formation of thyroxin decreases, as a result of which normal metabolic processes are disrupted. At the same time, endemic goiter ("goiter disease") often develops, which is manifested by local (enlargement of the thyroid gland) and general changes in the body. Of the general changes, sometimes there is an increase in the function of the thyroid gland, excessive secretion of hormones, which can lead to the so-called Graves' disease. At the same time, the formation diffuse goiter, bulging eyes, heart disorder, weight loss, increased neuropsychic excitability. But more often there is a decrease in the activity of the gland, which is also accompanied by metabolic disorders and leads to inhibition of growth, mental development, decrease in mental activity.

With increased thyroid function, the introduction of small doses of iodine (microiodine) has a beneficial effect on the body. To prevent iodine deficiency in areas with the spread of endemic goiter among the population, the ancient Chinese, Egyptians, and Indians used seaweed rich in iodine for food. Currently, various iodine preparations are widely used, including the recommendation to replace ordinary table salt with iodized salt (10 g of potassium iodide per 1 ton of salt).

Of the group of halogens, iodine has the highest antimicrobial activity and is widely used in the form of 2% alcohol tincture for disinfection and cauterization of wounds, bruises and other injuries.

However, if handled carelessly, iodine vapor poisoning or poisoning by ingestion can occur. When iodine vapor is inhaled, cough, runny nose, pain in the eyes, salivation and lacrimation, headache appear. These phenomena quickly pass after washing with water and airing the room. If you accidentally take tincture of iodine inside, you feel bad taste in the mouth, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting. The victim must be given milk, raw eggs, starch jelly. Iodine is well neutralized by drinking water.

Chemical compounds. It is also known that chloride-sulfate waters lead to disorders in the digestive system, various gynecological diseases.

Under the influence of high concentrations of nitrates, a disease such as water-nitrate methemoglobinemia develops. Nitrates, entering the human body, under the influence of intestinal microflora form nitrites, which, in turn, lead to the formation of methemoglobin in the blood, resulting in a decrease in the supply of oxygen to tissues. Nitrites and nitrates in the human body can be transformed into carcinogenic nitrosamines. The content of nitrates in drinking water should not exceed 45 mg/l.

AT recent times great attention is devoted to the study of the influence of substances that appear in water as a result of its chlorination. Such compounds include trihalomethanes - derivatives of methane, in the molecules of which some of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogen atoms: Cl, Br, I. Trihalomethanes have great biological activity and have a carcinogenic effect on the human body. Their number reaches 100 mcg/l. The main one is chloroform, along with which up to 40 different substances are found. The amount and variety of trihalomethanes depend on the chemical nature of the primary organic compounds present in the chlorinated water, the amount of active chlorine used in the chlorination of water, the time of its contact with water, the pH of the water, its temperature, and other factors. These compounds are the cause of malignant, metabolic, allergic, rheumatic and other non-infectious diseases.

Along with useful elements that are vital for humans, there are those that are useful only in small doses or even harm our body. What are these elements? Under what circumstances do we encounter them? And how they affect our body. Let's discuss in detail.

Common harmful elements include cadmium, aluminum, mercury, and lead. They are especially dangerous, as they can accumulate in the body year after year, which later leads to nightmarish health consequences.

Cadmium

Cadmium accumulates in the kidneys. It weakens the immune system, causes hypertension, which significantly reduces the duration of human life. Cadmium also contributes to the deterioration of mental abilities, as it prevents the absorption of zinc.

Cadmium is found in fertilizers, drinking water, polluted air and cigarette smoke. Accordingly, smokers and people who eat vegetables and fruits grown on fertilizer with cadmium are at risk.

Mercury

Mercury causes arthritis, allergies, disrupts brain activity and connective tissue structure in the knees and elbows. Impairs vision, affects the kidneys. Leads to tooth loss and, like cadmium, weakens immune system. In addition, mercury has negative impact on fetal development in pregnant women.

Mercury can be part of chemical fertilizers, dental fillings. It is found in mastic, water-based paint, plastic.

Lead

Lead content is found in fruits, vegetables and berries grown near highways and airports. After all, lead is part of the exhaust gases of aircraft and automobile engines. In this regard, the cultivation of vegetables, medicinal herbs, edible plants and mushrooms closer than 100 meters from motorways is prohibited. Lead often causes arthritis, anemia, brain damage, irritability, and fertility problems in women. Also, when eating food containing lead, abdominal pain occurs. Lead, like cadmium with mercury, weakens the immune system, causes weakness, and contributes to mental disorders. It affects the kidneys, liver, prevents the absorption of calcium, which leads to a weakening of the skeletal system.

In a special category of risk are children from 2 to 5 years old, living in old houses on the ground floor near gas stations, and water drinkers from the tap. It is also dangerous to be in houses with paint falling off the walls.

Aluminum

Aluminum accumulates in the body. The accumulation of this element can lead to dementia, increased excitability, impaired motor reactions in children, anemia, headaches, liver and kidney disease, colitis, neurological changes, and even Parkinson's disease. Aluminum is often used in the production of kitchenware and food foil, beer cans. It is also possible to contain aluminum in deodorants, table salt and even drinking water.

Be carefull. Take care of your health and the health of your children.

Today, most of the products we buy on a daily basis contain cheap but poorly tested mass-produced chemicals (in the product formula they are indicated in the form of various E, as well as the words identical to natural, taste enhancer, color enhancer, etc.). The price of these products, it would seem, is not too high, but ... sometimes we pay for our carelessness and gullibility at the cost of our health, and sometimes our lives.

Our food, garden and pet care products, and the products we use when washing and cleaning rooms may contain ingredients that are harmful to health.

Harmful chemicals can be:

Carcinogens (substances that cause cancer)

Reagents that disrupt hormonal balance and destroy the central nervous system

Poisons that affect fertility

Psychotropic drugs, i.e. substances that affect mental processes

Unfortunately, in our country, few people pay attention to the composition of the product (after all, this information is usually written so small and in the most inconvenient places for reading). The maximum that the buyer looks at is the expiration date. What can we say about inedible products, there the composition, as a rule, is printed not only small, but also in a foreign language. So it turns out that we are destroying health with our own hands, not only for ourselves, but also for our loved ones.

Currently, scientists around the world are sounding the alarm about the harmful effects of chemicals that we encounter on a daily basis. It's not just any specific substances that are dangerous, but evidence is constantly emerging that mixtures of chemicals often work in unexpected ways. They can also react to produce completely new compounds that are hazardous to health. It is because of these foods and home remedies that we wage chemical warfare with our own bodies on a daily basis.

Many of us rely on the chemicals we use on a daily basis to be fully tested and completely safe. In fact, more than 70,000 reagents are currently in use, with at least 1,000 new drugs entering the market each year; 43% of them were not tested at all, and complete information on the safety of a particular substance is available for no more than 7% of the reagents. Information on the safety of substances that make up cleaning products is available for no more than a quarter of their total number.

When manufacturers try to convince us that potentially hazardous chemicals are used in small quantities in their products, they rely on very unreliable facts. Every day we are faced with a variety of reagents. For example: we shampoo regularly, sometimes daily, and we do it under hot showers or baths, when the chemicals evaporate and enter our bloodstream in very large quantities. We also use gel, hair mousse or spray, toothpaste, deodorants, liquid soaps, air fresheners, and furniture polish. Each of them contains a "minor" amount of the same reagents. Put them all together and the potential net impact is frighteningly high.

Given all this, the question arises: how do we manage to stay healthy at all? Alas, the reality is that health is just not there. Despite the increased life expectancy, we are all sick. There are more and more chronic diseases. Diseases are “getting younger”: for example, the manifestation of gonarthrosis (disease of the knee joints) 10 years ago was observed after 40 years, now after -20 years, and in rare cases at 14-15 years; oncology - 10-15 years ago in childhood met extremely rarely, now the children's departments are overcrowded and, unfortunately, there can be many such examples. Respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis have doubled in recent years, with young people more severely affected. Problems such as sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, cardiovascular pathologies, diabetes and thyroid problems come to the fore, especially in large cities. Infertility affects both men and women more often than all other diseases associated with hormonal disorders. Cancer remains the main threat to the age and social groups of any country, and there were no methods for its cardinal treatment.

The picture is very dismal. But worst of all, we have allowed ourselves to be convinced that such unhealthy conditions of existence are a normal part of human existence and are inextricably linked with aging.

There is nothing “normal” about illness. The human body is the most complex computer, configured for self-healing, designed for survival and a prosperous existence. We do not even notice how he tries daily to maintain his balance and get rid of the toxic by-products of modern life. But even this ideal automaton cannot function indefinitely without some human assistance.

If you don't know what to believe when buying a particular product, follow the well-known precautionary principle: "It is better to beware than to suffer."

The goods we choose to buy are being affected by the increasing increase in the already hectic pace of life. We need food to be prepared quickly, cleaning products to be sprayed and wiped, and shampoo to be washed off and immediately go somewhere. We have been given the opportunity to satisfy hunger with fast food, but at the same time we do not even think about the fact that this “food” does not contain anything really nutritious for the body. We have every opportunity to attack the signs of aging with anti-wrinkle creams, but we do not think about what exactly makes us look and feel old and tired and whether it is time to change our lifestyle.

The food industry has taken advantage of advances in the related industry of synthetic flavors and new food processing and storage technologies to create highly palatable foods high in fat and sugar. In just a few years, ready-made food has become cheaper, more convenient and, more importantly, more importantly. Much tastier.

In many countries (and our country is no exception) there is a fashionable habit of snacking. It is served as a healthy alternative to heavy meals at regular times.

The Harvard results could have come from Britain, Australia, or any country where the free market rules the food industry, the regulations are full of gaps and allow any amount of additives to be put into food, resulting in increased snacking habits and increasing obesity problems.

Fifty years ago, people wrapped sandwiches in wax paper, poured milk from glass bottles, wore rubber raincoats when it rained, drove cars made of iron, and heated dinner on the stove. Today we carry sandwiches in plastic containers or bags made of plastic and aluminum, which can be quickly popped into the microwave. Ready-made pizzas and portions of french fries are heated, thanks to the Teflon coating, without fat.

The advantages of a society with a developed chemical industry include the ability to use industrial chemicals to produce cheap everyday goods. When added to food, we get dishes that can be prepared long before consumption and stored on the shelves for ages. In cosmetics, they promise consumers professional results without visiting specialized salons. In the evening, we can take our dinner out of the refrigerators and put it in the microwave without worrying about it getting spoiled or burned.

On the one hand, the chemistry that made all this possible seems like a real miracle. But on the other hand, each such product has reverse side. These products adversely affect our health and the health of our children. Because since we started using these "benefits". Our exposure to potentially toxic substances has increased exponentially.