Environmental Chemistry and You

Kjell Aas

Description

We all need some chemicals in our bodies - biochemistry. However, there are chemicals in our environment which might be inhaled, eaten or used on the skin, which we do not necessarily need and which can interact with chemicals already present inside us, with harmful and in some cases, devastating effects. Using charming illustrations to explain his points, the author, an allergy specialist, discusses the interactions between the biochemicals which should keep us alive and healthy and the external, potentially harmful chemicals which enter us from the environment in which we spend most of our lives. He also covers the sources of allergens, with some surprising facts. This book will be appreciated by lay readers and professionals alike; its clarity makes it easy to read and understand. Look up your condition, it may be more prevalent than you think.

Informations

• Publié par: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Date de parution: 30 mars 2018
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781528909150
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 4 Mo

Extrait

Environmental Chemistry and You
Kjell Aas
Austin Macauley Publishers
2018-03-30
Environmental Chemistry and You About the Author Dedication Copyright Information © Acknowledgements Foreword Part 1 About You (Biology/Biochemistry) Chapter 1 Chemicals Inside You (Your Biochemistry) and Influences from Outside Chemicals entering us may be needed or not. Tolerated or Not? References Chapter 2 Life Is Based on Chemical Orchestration This Depends Also on the “Cellular Ballet” Please Notice the “Bucket Ballet” Disturbance from Outside However, there are limits in this kind of adaptation References Chapter 3 Some Terms, Symbols and Expressions in Chemistry Organic Chemistry Atoms Flow Charts Ions and Ion Channels Ion Channels Electrical Sensitivity / Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Chemical Structures Receptors References Chapter 4 Oxidation/Reduction (Redox Reactions) and VOCs Oxidation Processes Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress Antioxidants Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) / Organic Compounds in Indoor Air/OCIA) A Few Combinations Are Tested References Chapter 5 Fresh Air and Chemical Contaminants in the Air The Outdoor Air No Place Is Secure Natural Air Pollution Radon Man-made Air Pollution Information Sources Indoor Air Volatile Chemicals (Gas, VOC, TVOC) – See Former Chapter Inhaled Formaldehyde Dust The Pollution Challenge References Chapter 6 Dust and Dust-Borne Chemicals House Dust Nano Particles Burnt Dust References Chapter 7 Cells as Foot Soldiers and Chemical Factories The Cytoplasm The Nucleus Connective Tissue Dendritic Cells Cells in Blood and Tissues White Blood Cells Cell Membrane Mast Cells Smooth Muscles Cells Die and New Ones Are Born; Cell Life Span Autophagy Useful Bacteria The “Beneficial Bacterial Flora ” References Chapter 8 Receptors/Ion Channels Ion Channels Confusing Use of Different Names for the Same Receptor Unidentified Neuroactive Triggers References Chapter 9 Genetics DNA Mutation DNA Repair Epigenetic Inheritance CYP (P450) and Xenobiotics Genetic Counselling Gene Manipulation, Genetic Engineering Further Reading References Chapter 10 Environmental Chemistry and the Routes into Us Human United Airways The Alveoli The Digestive System The Skin Blood and Lymph References Chapter 11 Hormones Endocrine Function Abuse Endocrine Disruptors References Chapter 12 Pregnancy and Hazards for the Foetus Cell Division (Mitosis) Critical Exposures Mother-Foetus Immunity Environmental Exposure References Chapter 13 Enzymes CYP450 References Chapter 14 The Immune System “ME” and “NOT ME” or “Self” and “Not-Self” The Immune Process Unwanted Immune Reactions Autoimmune Diseases List of Autoimmune Disorders References Chapter 15 The Brain and the Nervous System Nerve Cells (Neurons) The Brain (The Cerebrum) The Cerebral Cortex Blood-Brain Barrier Brain Nerves The Nerves Sensory Transduction Neurodegenerative Diso r ders References Chapter 16 The Decisive Chemistry of the Nervous System Neurotransmitters Fat Supply to the Brain References Chapter 17 The Self-Regulating (Autonomic) Nervous System Autonomic Failures Psychosomatic Reactions Vicious Circles References Chapter 18 Conditioned Reflexes – Spinal Sensitisation Henrik Ibsen: The Power of Memory References Chapter 19 Smell and Scents Perfumes Disgusting Odours Smell Failures (Olfactory Dysfunction) References Chapter 20 Emotions, Empathy and Mirror Neurons Emotional Intelligence References Chapter 21 Placebo and Nocebo Nocebo Effects Neurobiological Effect of Placebo Natural Non-Drug, Non-Psychological Effects References Chapter 22 Senses and Perception References Chapter 23 Psychosomatic or Somatic-Psychological Reactions Caregiver’s Dilemma Misinterpretations Scientific Progress, Intermissions and Failures Advanced Techniques to Measure Brain Activity References Chapter 24 Environmental Chemistry and Food Overweight and Obesity The Digestive Process Omega-3 and Fish Alcohol Units References Chapter 25 Chemical Contaminants in Food Food Additives Side Effects? Unhealthy Fat Hidden Food Contaminants Plastics and Phthalates Acrylamide What about Gene-Modified Food? Health Hazards in Food Healthy diet and lifestyle References Chapter 26 Temperature Celsius Fahrenheit conversion Body Temperature Indoor Temperature Energy Economising and Health (HEE) References Chapter 27 Air Humidity, Moisture Damage and Moulds Air Humidity Water Damage and Structural Dampness Climate Changes References Chapter 28 Other Essential Aspects of the Indoor Climate Illumination, Sources and Quality of Light Vitamin D References Chapter 29 Intolerances Due to Enzyme Deficiencies Difficult To Know! Excitability Milk Intolerance G6PDH Deficiency (Fauvism) Biogenic Amines; Monoamines Important Sources of Biogenic Amines Hereditary Enzyme Deficiencies References Chapter 30 Immunologic Hypersensitivity Allergy Allergy Types IgE-Mediated Atopic Allergy Allergens “Zero-Tolerance” Hypersensitivity Non-Allergic Asthma References Chapter 31 Intolerance Due to Sensory Peculiarities Smooth Muscle Hyperreactivity Common Irritants Mechanisms Inheritance + Environment Migraine Environmental Chemical Intolerance (MCS / IEI) No Objective Signs Symptoms An Olfactory Gene Mutation? Ion Channels/Receptors Diagnostic Criteria References Chapter 32 The Precautionary Principle Many Small Streams Make One Big River Bioaccumulation Adverse Effects References Part 2 Environmental Chemistry and Risk Components Chapter 33 Risky Substances Lifestyle Diseases Risk of Cancer Smoke and Fumes Infections Caused by Tick Infestation A Selection of Hazardous Chemicals WHO EU Guidelines Acrylamide Ammonia Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Other Indoor Health Hazards Benzene and Benzene Rings Carbolic Acid and Other Phenols Carbon Monoxide ( C O ) Diesel Exhaust Dioxins and Furans Endocrine Disruptors (chapter 11) Flame Retardants, PBDE Etcetera Formaldehyde and Other Aldehydes Nitrogen Dioxide Oxidative Stress Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Pesticides Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH s) In Conclusion References Chapter 34 Environmental Chemistry and Health Hazards Poverty and Ignorance Contagious (Communicable) and non-communicable diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Cancer Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) Immunological diseases Mental and Psychiatric Disorders Muscular and Skeletal Disorders Diseases of the Nervous System Respiratory Infections Outdoor Air Pollution and Adverse Health Effects Indoor Air and Health Health Hazards Associated with Substances Used on the Skin Sensitivity and Hypersensitivity References Chapter 35 Individuals at Risk Preventable Health Hazards Chronic diseases in adults Smoking Risk of Obesity and Associated Diseases Risk of Atopic Allergy Risk of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases Risk of Cancer Some Other Carcinogens: Risk of Diabetes Musculoskeletal Disorders Common Neurologic Disorders Neurodegeneration Migraine Risk of Epilepsy Risk of Intolerance Disorders Endocrine disruptors represent several risks for disease: References Chapter 36 Challenges for Health Authorities Health Promotion Priorities Health Authorities and Media Need Each Other May Intolerance Reactions to Environmental Chemicals Act as Biochemical Detectors? Chasing Rainbows? References Chapter 37 Challenges for Scientists Challenges in The Environmental Field Comprises: Challenges in Human and Other Mammals’ Field Comprises: An Example of a Research Puzzle Vital Receptors Can Be Fooled Numerous Questions Without Answers Popular Scientific Productivity References Chapter 38 Challenges for Media Abstracts May Mislead; Please Consult Scientists Some Selected Items Many Kilos (Pounds) of Polluted Air Daily Gene Mutations and Epigenetics Risky Substances and Individuals at Risk Cocktail Effects The Precautionary Principle References Appendix 1 Acknowledgement Appendix 2 Vocabulary
About the Author
Kjell Aas was a retired professor of University of Oslo, Norway (paediatrics, children and youth allergology, clinical immunology). He was the founder and Chief Physician of Oslo University Hospital, Voksentoppen Institute for children with allergies, asthma and other lung diseases.
His MD work was the world’s first pure isolated allergen (cod protein). He was an honourable member of several national and international scientific societies and was granted an honorary doctorate at Gothenburg University in Sweden. He was decorated with a number of military and general honours. He had an extensive scientific production.
He graduated from RNAF pilot school Canada and England, 1944 – 1945.
He died in October 2016.
Dedication
To my lovely, warm-hearted and talented daughters:
Marianne (Nanne) and Ninne.
Copyright Information ©
Kjell Aas (2018)
The right of Kjell Aas to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781786936813 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781786936820 (E-Book)
www.austinmacauley.com
First Published (2018)
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.
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E14 5LQ
Acknowledgements
I have been fortunate to encounter numerous people who have taught me what I try to convey in this book. I feel gratitude to them, but they are so numerous that a list of names is not justified. However, I could not have fulfilled this project without valuable inputs from my own daughter Marianne (Nanne) Hanneborg Aas, a head physician in paediatric allergy. I am grateful for and very much appreciate her constructive criticism and