Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Forwarding this on... to you. Dangerous Toxins You've Eaten http://www.data4science.net/essays.php?EssayID=810 There are hidden perils associated with some conveniences. If you take a drink of tea using a glass tumbler, you’re as safe as the water you drink. Take that same drink from a foam cup and it can be a different story. Actually, the foam is polystyrene – it’s the same plastic many computer monitor cases and televisions are made of, just in a different form. Most readers are familiar with the woman at McDonalds who won a huge lawsuit over coffee that burned her lap. But has anyone really stopped to think about the coated paper containers used everywhere for soda, coffee and hot chocolate? Paraffin wax is well known but it’s actually derived from crude oil and dates back to Carl Reichenbach in 1830. Paraffin is classified as an alkane hydrocarbon. [1] Yes, paraffin is made from that same crude oil which makes everything possible including plastics, household chemicals, furniture, gasoline and house paint to name only a few. And you can easily consume paraffin without even knowing it. Polystyrene (foam) applications: [3] POLYSTYRENE FOOD CONTAINERS NON-FOOD USES OF STYRENE Coffee cups Packing “peanuts” Soup bowls and salad boxes Foam inserts to ship appliances/electronics Foam egg cartons, produce and meat trays Television and computer cabinets Disposable utensils (plastic-ware) Compact disc jewel boxes and audio Cassette cases Consider hot coffee poured into a polystyrene cup. What happens? “The migration of styrene from a polystyrene cup into the beverage it contains has been observed to be as high as 0.025% for a single use. That may seem like a rather low number, until you work it this way: If you drink beverages from polystyrene cups four times a day for three years, you may have consumed about one foam cup's worth of styrene along with your beverages.”[2] It’s difficult (and sickening) to imagine eating Styrene plastic in any quantity. But the problem doesn’t stop with container chemistry. Fat products in food as well as acidic products can leach more polystyrene out of the plastic than water does. Long-term exposure to small quantities of styrene is also suspected of causing: * Low platelet counts or hemoglobin values; * Chromosomal and lymphatic abnormalities; * Neurotoxic effects due to accumulation of styrene in the tissues of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, resulting in fatigue, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, and other acute or chronic health problems associated with the nervous system. [2] There are measurable levels of styrene in both unprocessed and processed foods as shown below: UNPROCESSED FOOD STYRENE LEVEL (ppb) Cinnamon 170 – 39,000 Beef 5.3 – 6.4 Black currants 2 – 6 Coffee Beans 1.6 – 6.4 Peanuts 1 – 2.2 Strawberries 0.37 – 3.1 Wheat 0.4 - 2 PROCESSED FOOD STYRENE LEVEL (ppb) Milk and Cream 134 Beer 32 Yogurt 26 Desserts 22 Soft Cheese 16 Styrene levels in food – source: 2005 NIH report [3] Note how foods higher in fats leach more styrene out of the plastic, and this list is far from being all inclusive! There are the plastics that microwave food is packaged in. There is still a toxin threat even if they heat those items up in a conventional oven instead of using a microwave. On top of all this poisoning potential, Styrene is also considered a carcinogen by the International Agency for Cancer Research. Cups, plates and silverware are commonly made from this plastic, too. Ceramic mugs can also be a problem. Cracks in aging ceramic glazing can expose the bare ceramic to the liquid you are drinking. If the ceramic has lead or other chemicals, these could migrate into your drink. Over time, it could lead to various health problems. And what about those cracks inside your coffee mug? These cracks probably would never cross your mind when a doctor gives you the bad news about a health problem – perhaps a serious problem which he doesn’t even understand. So what’s the solution to foam, styrene and ceramic problems? Use a glass cup or tumbler wherever you can. I randomly selected the Delaware government website [4] for safety information regarding Benzene, the major chemical component of foam cups and plates. Here’s what the Delaware State Health Service has to say about Benzene. In pure form Benzene looks just like distilled water. * How does benzene work and how can it affect my health? Workers who breathed benzene in high amounts experienced dizziness, sleepiness, lightheadedness and feeling confused. Some had an irregular heartbeat, headache, upset stomach or irritation of the eyes, skin, nose and throat. Long-term exposure to benzene can result in bone marrow damage. It can also cause aplastic anemia, a condition where not enough red blood cells are produced. Aplastic anemia can progress to a form of cancer called myelogenous leukemia. Benzene has been named as a cancer-causing substance. The short-term effects of drinking large amounts of benzene are very much like the effects of breathing it, except without irritation to the eyes, skin or lungs. Long-term effects of drinking low levels of benzene are not fully known. Ingesting benzene from drinking water is treated as a cancer risk. * How is benzene poisoning treated? There is no treatment just for benzene poisoning. A doctor will treat symptoms depending on the exposure. * What factors limit use or exposure to benzene? At work, exposure can be reduced by following health and safety rules and using respirators and other personal protective equipment. Limit contact with gasoline and cigarette smoke. Families are encouraged not to smoke or allow smoking in their house, in enclosed environments such as their vehicles, or near their children. * Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been exposed to benzene? Benzene can be measured in the breath and in the blood. *What should I do if exposed to benzene? If benzene gets on your skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical help. If you get benzene in your eyes, flush with large amounts of water for 15 minutes. Get medical help quickly. If you breathe benzene, move to fresh air. Get medical help quickly. If you swallow benzene, get medical help right away. Now let’s put this all into perspective. FDA stands for Food and Drug Association, although it should stand for “Finding Drugs for Approval.” The “food” approval part of the agency seems to be a rapidly vanishing responsibility. The FDA approves drugs for sale that can cause every side effect from dizziness to a heart attack or stroke, even death. And these drugs require documentation using mountains of research data. But what of foods containing toxins like Benzene? These are quite literally consumed around the clock, all over the country. And doctors wonder why cancer is so prevalent! Has this report cured you of drinking or eating from foam cups and plates? Or cured you of eating and drinking food from paraffin hydrocarbon coated paper plates and cups? It’s what you can’t see, smell, touch or taste that can hurt you the most. Ted Twietmeyer www.data4science.net [1] Paraffin details - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraffin [2] http://www.grinningplanet.com/2008/04-08/foam-cups-polystyrene-cups-article.htm [3] http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/styrene/StyreneMono-www-s.pdf [4] http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dphbenzenefaq.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 But, Kenneth, my grandmother used to give me liquid paraffin for my bowels when I was a child - by the spoonful - is this connected to real paraffin? And think how many people use Vaseline for things! So what does a small amount of wax do to you that is less harmful than the coffee that encloses it or the milk and sugar that accompanies it? Jane - Kenneth Thursday, July 24, 2008 11:24 AM Dangerous Toxins You've Eaten Forwarding this on... to you. Dangerous Toxins You've Eaten http://www.data4science.net/essays.php?EssayID=810 There are hidden perils associated with some conveniences. If you take a drink of tea using a glass tumbler, you’re as safe as the water you drink. Take that same drink from a foam cup and it can be a different story. Actually, the foam is polystyrene – it’s the same plastic many computer monitor cases and televisions are made of, just in a different form. Most readers are familiar with the woman at McDonalds who won a huge lawsuit over coffee that burned her lap. But has anyone really stopped to think about the coated paper containers used everywhere for soda, coffee and hot chocolate? Paraffin wax is well known but it’s actually derived from crude oil and dates back to Carl Reichenbach in 1830. Paraffin is classified as an alkane hydrocarbon. [1] Yes, paraffin is made from that same crude oil which makes everything possible including plastics, household chemicals, furniture, gasoline and house paint to name only a few. And you can easily consume paraffin without even knowing it. Polystyrene (foam) applications: [3] POLYSTYRENE FOOD CONTAINERS NON-FOOD USES OF STYRENE Coffee cups Packing “peanuts” Soup bowls and salad boxes Foam inserts to ship appliances/electronics Foam egg cartons, produce and meat trays Television and computer cabinets Disposable utensils (plastic-ware) Compact disc jewel boxes and audio Cassette cases Consider hot coffee poured into a polystyrene cup. What happens? “The migration of styrene from a polystyrene cup into the beverage it contains has been observed to be as high as 0.025% for a single use. That may seem like a rather low number, until you work it this way: If you drink beverages from polystyrene cups four times a day for three years, you may have consumed about one foam cup's worth of styrene along with your beverages.”[2] It’s difficult (and sickening) to imagine eating Styrene plastic in any quantity. But the problem doesn’t stop with container chemistry. Fat products in food as well as acidic products can leach more polystyrene out of the plastic than water does. Long-term exposure to small quantities of styrene is also suspected of causing: * Low platelet counts or hemoglobin values; * Chromosomal and lymphatic abnormalities; * Neurotoxic effects due to accumulation of styrene in the tissues of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, resulting in fatigue, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, and other acute or chronic health problems associated with the nervous system. [2] There are measurable levels of styrene in both unprocessed and processed foods as shown below: UNPROCESSED FOOD STYRENE LEVEL (ppb) Cinnamon 170 – 39,000 Beef 5.3 – 6.4 Black currants 2 – 6 Coffee Beans 1.6 – 6.4 Peanuts 1 – 2.2 Strawberries 0.37 – 3.1 Wheat 0.4 - 2 PROCESSED FOOD STYRENE LEVEL (ppb) Milk and Cream 134 Beer 32 Yogurt 26 Desserts 22 Soft Cheese 16 Styrene levels in food – source: 2005 NIH report [3] Note how foods higher in fats leach more styrene out of the plastic, and this list is far from being all inclusive! There are the plastics that microwave food is packaged in. There is still a toxin threat even if they heat those items up in a conventional oven instead of using a microwave. On top of all this poisoning potential, Styrene is also considered a carcinogen by the International Agency for Cancer Research. Cups, plates and silverware are commonly made from this plastic, too. Ceramic mugs can also be a problem. Cracks in aging ceramic glazing can expose the bare ceramic to the liquid you are drinking. If the ceramic has lead or other chemicals, these could migrate into your drink. Over time, it could lead to various health problems. And what about those cracks inside your coffee mug? These cracks probably would never cross your mind when a doctor gives you the bad news about a health problem – perhaps a serious problem which he doesn’t even understand. So what’s the solution to foam, styrene and ceramic problems? Use a glass cup or tumbler wherever you can. I randomly selected the Delaware government website [4] for safety information regarding Benzene, the major chemical component of foam cups and plates. Here’s what the Delaware State Health Service has to say about Benzene. In pure form Benzene looks just like distilled water. * How does benzene work and how can it affect my health? Workers who breathed benzene in high amounts experienced dizziness, sleepiness, lightheadedness and feeling confused. Some had an irregular heartbeat, headache, upset stomach or irritation of the eyes, skin, nose and throat. Long-term exposure to benzene can result in bone marrow damage. It can also cause aplastic anemia, a condition where not enough red blood cells are produced. Aplastic anemia can progress to a form of cancer called myelogenous leukemia. Benzene has been named as a cancer-causing substance. The short-term effects of drinking large amounts of benzene are very much like the effects of breathing it, except without irritation to the eyes, skin or lungs. Long-term effects of drinking low levels of benzene are not fully known. Ingesting benzene from drinking water is treated as a cancer risk. * How is benzene poisoning treated? There is no treatment just for benzene poisoning. A doctor will treat symptoms depending on the exposure. * What factors limit use or exposure to benzene? At work, exposure can be reduced by following health and safety rules and using respirators and other personal protective equipment. Limit contact with gasoline and cigarette smoke. Families are encouraged not to smoke or allow smoking in their house, in enclosed environments such as their vehicles, or near their children. * Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been exposed to benzene? Benzene can be measured in the breath and in the blood. *What should I do if exposed to benzene? If benzene gets on your skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical help. If you get benzene in your eyes, flush with large amounts of water for 15 minutes. Get medical help quickly. If you breathe benzene, move to fresh air. Get medical help quickly. If you swallow benzene, get medical help right away. Now let’s put this all into perspective. FDA stands for Food and Drug Association, although it should stand for “Finding Drugs for Approval.” The “food” approval part of the agency seems to be a rapidly vanishing responsibility. The FDA approves drugs for sale that can cause every side effect from dizziness to a heart attack or stroke, even death. And these drugs require documentation using mountains of research data. But what of foods containing toxins like Benzene? These are quite literally consumed around the clock, all over the country. And doctors wonder why cancer is so prevalent! Has this report cured you of drinking or eating from foam cups and plates? Or cured you of eating and drinking food from paraffin hydrocarbon coated paper plates and cups? It’s what you can’t see, smell, touch or taste that can hurt you the most. Ted Twietmeyer www.data4science.net [1] Paraffin details - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraffin [2] http://www.grinningplanet.com/2008/04-08/foam-cups-polystyrene-cups-article.htm [3] http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/styrene/StyreneMono-www-s.pdf [4] http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dphbenzenefaq.pdf Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.5/1569 - Release 7/23/2008 1:31 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 I don't know what they put in chocolate commercially to produce the hardened, shiny coating on ding dongs, donuts and things like that, but at home you add a bit of wax to the melted chocolate. The more wax the more shiny and hard the chocolate gets. I add a bit of wax to my chocolate for dipping my brandied cherries in at Xmas. "have your bowels opened yet" how funny to say that. In the nursing home my Grandpa was in they'd ask every day if a person had a BM and they'd mark down on a paper yes or no. Grandpa would be so embarrassed when they'd ask him in front of company. He'd say back to them "no, have you?" lol Renee ---- Ew I didn't ever think it was "good" for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 it is so routine a nurse would not even think about it - I ask this to everyone I meet - well - almost lol. For dipping chocolate I put any cooking oil in to make it more fluid - I usually have sunflowerseed oil that I use since there is no distinctive flavour - for a softer finish I would use cream - I would never use wax - partly cos I don't have any in the cupboard! Jane - Gaiacita Thursday, July 24, 2008 11:26 PM Re: Dangerous Toxins You've Eaten I don't know what they put in chocolate commercially to produce the hardened, shiny coating on ding dongs, donuts and things like that, but at home you add a bit of wax to the melted chocolate. The more wax the more shiny and hard the chocolate gets. I add a bit of wax to my chocolate for dipping my brandied cherries in at Xmas. "have your bowels opened yet" how funny to say that. In the nursing home my Grandpa was in they'd ask every day if a person had a BM and they'd mark down on a paper yes or no. Grandpa would be so embarrassed when they'd ask him in front of company. He'd say back to them "no, have you?" lol Renee ---- Ew I didn't ever think it was "good" for me Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.5/1570 - Release 7/24/2008 6:59 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 But wouldn't the oil make it too liquid to harden on the fruit? With the wax the chocolate doesn't melt. I have left over paraffin wax because I use to make jelly and seal the jars with wax. :-) Samala, Renee ---- For dipping chocolate I put any cooking oil in to make it more fluid - I usually have sunflowerseed oil that I use since there is no distinctive flavour - for a softer finish I would use cream - I would never use wax - partly cos I don't have any in the cupboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 With the chocolate I use I can put heaps of oil with it and it sets beautifully - I do it on cakes, fruit - anything sets well - and shiny. Melt it gently in the microwave and keep stirring. Jane - Gaiacita Friday, July 25, 2008 12:48 AM Re: Dangerous Toxins You've Eaten But wouldn't the oil make it too liquid to harden on the fruit? With the wax the chocolate doesn't melt. I have left over paraffin wax because I use to make jelly and seal the jars with wax. :-) Samala, Renee ---- For dipping chocolate I put any cooking oil in to make it more fluid - I usually have sunflowerseed oil that I use since there is no distinctive flavour - for a softer finish I would use cream - I would never use wax - partly cos I don't have any in the cupboard! Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.5/1570 - Release 7/24/2008 6:59 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Huh. Learn something new every day! Thanks Jane. Samala, Renee ---- With the chocolate I use I can put heaps of oil with it and it sets beautifully - I do it on cakes, fruit - anything sets well - and shiny. Melt it gently in the microwave and keep stirring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Don't be put off with how thin it gets - it sets well and fairly fast - even did some sugar free choc last week - took longer to melt and longer to set but it worked fine Resting the dipped fruit on waxed paper is essential but you probably have to do that with wax too eh? Jane - Gaiacita Friday, July 25, 2008 1:18 AM Re: Dangerous Toxins You've Eaten Huh. Learn something new every day! Thanks Jane. Samala, Renee ---- With the chocolate I use I can put heaps of oil with it and it sets beautifully - I do it on cakes, fruit - anything sets well - and shiny. Melt it gently in the microwave and keep stirring. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.5/1570 - Release 7/24/2008 6:59 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Yes. What type of chocolate do you use? I use bittersweet bakers chocolate mostly. Then add a bit of paraffin wax to the double boiler. What type of oil do you use? It would seem that the oil just would make it too liquidy to set up. How odd. :-) samala ---- Don't be put off with how thin it gets - it sets well and fairly fast - even did some sugar free choc last week - took longer to melt and longer to set but it worked fine Resting the dipped fruit on waxed paper is essential Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Ommm Jane.. you have a microwave.. :-)) I'm tellin!! lolLynda Blessed are the Cracked, For they are the Ones Who let in the Light! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 I was thinking the very same thing and would have said so but you got to the message first. I just now have the time to read my messages. So Jane, What's up? ;^) Kenneth T - Lynda Brasier Ommm Jane.. you have a microwave.. :-)) I'm tellin!! lolLynda Blessed are the Cracked, For they are the Ones Who let in the Light! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 26, 2008 Report Share Posted July 26, 2008 Already mentioned I use whatever is in the cupboard - often sunflower seed oil - cheap Homebrand cooking choc - broken up into a china cup and microwaved for one minute and then in increments of 10 secs and stirred thoroughly and wait - once you over cook, as you know, you lose the whole thing - Yes it is very very liquid Jane - Gaiacita Friday, July 25, 2008 2:56 AM Re: Dangerous Toxins You've Eaten Yes. What type of chocolate do you use? I use bittersweet bakers chocolate mostly. Then add a bit of paraffin wax to the double boiler. What type of oil do you use? It would seem that the oil just would make it too liquidy to set up. How odd. :-) samala ---- Don't be put off with how thin it gets - it sets well and fairly fast - even did some sugar free choc last week - took longer to melt and longer to set but it worked fine Resting the dipped fruit on waxed paper is essential Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.5/1571 - Release 7/24/2008 5:42 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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