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Slide 1 :
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Natural or Man-made Chemicals? Adapted from a presentation by Penny Le Couteur,
The Fraser Institute, Vancouver, Canada |
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Slide 2 :
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“All substances are poisonous, there is none which is not a poison;
the right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy.” Paracelsus
circa 1538 |
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Slide 3 :
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The great myth “Natural is good;
man-made is bad”
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Slide 4 :
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It may be natural but you’ll be just as dead! |
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Slide 5 :
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The seven most deadly chemical compounds LD50 = The lethal dose of a compound for 50% of animals exposed
* Synthetic |
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Slide 6 :
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The best chemists can do |
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Slide 7 :
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Viktor Yushchenko President of the Ukraine July 2004 December 2004 |
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Slide 8 :
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Muscarine - from mushrooms |
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Slide 9 :
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Bufotoxin – from the common toad |
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Slide 10 :
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The next ten …. (most deadly) * Synthetic |
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Slide 11 :
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Vitamin C Ascorbic acid |
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Slide 12 :
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Other variations of “natural is good; man-made is bad” Synthetic chemicals were not around as man evolved so we haven’t had time to become
resistant to them as we have to naturally
occurring compounds.
Synthetic chemicals bioaccumulate in our
bodies. |
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Slide 13 :
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Chemicals in food: Advertisements from “organic food” stores “We read the labels so you don’t have to. We want you to concentrate on how good the food tastes and not worry about words that you can’t pronounce” |
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Slide 14 :
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Chemicals in food: Advertisements from “organic food” stores
“We keep the chemicals out of your food” |
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Slide 15 :
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Chemicals in food: Advertisements from “organic food” stores
“We think your food tastes better
without the flavour of preservatives” |
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Slide 16 :
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Chemicals used to preserve food BHA= butylated hydroxyanisole BHT = butylated hydroxytoluene EDTA = ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid |
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Slide 17 :
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Sodium nitrite Risk: Cancer from nitrosamines
Benefit: Prevents botulism in meats NO2- + HCl ? HNO2 + Cl-
HNO2 + (CH3)2NH ? (CH3)2NNO + H2O |
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Slide 18 :
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Natural toxins in food |
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Slide 19 :
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Natural toxins in food –part 2 |
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Slide 20 :
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Don’t worry, it’s organic Organic farming is a multi-dollar industry that
relies on the public’s perception that organic
food is more healthy.
There is little evidence to suggest that organic
fruit and vegetables are any healthier than
conventional produce.
Some forms of organic farming may introduce
natural toxins into consumers’ food.
Chemistry World, June 2004
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Slide 21 :
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Science writer John Emsley quotes
We come into this world with a wonderful built-in detoxifying system that protects us against thousands of natural toxins every day.
Cancer (from synthetic chemicals) is a risk, but the risk may be so low as to be worth ignoring.
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Slide 22 :
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Cosmetics Cinnamon
Citrus
Angelica
Almond extract
Clove
Bergamot
Cornstarch
Fennel
Geranium
Lavender
Lemon balm
Lime
Papaya
Peppermint
Rose
Thyme
Witch hazel
Wintergreen
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Slide 23 :
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Should DDT be banned everywhere? |
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