Introduction Lanthanum (La) is a member of the rare earth elements (REEs), which consist of a group of 15 trivalent metallic elements with similar properties. Lanthanum is mostly dangerous in the working environment, due to the fact that damps and gasses can be inhaled with air. This can cause lung embolism, especially during long-term exposure. Lanthanum can also cause cancer with humans, as it enlarges the chances of lung cancer when it is inhaled. Finally, it can be a threat to the liver when it accumulates in the human body. Lanthanum is dumped in the environment in many different places, mainly by petrol-producing industries. It can also enter the environment when household equipment is thrown away. Lanthanum will gradually accumulate in soils and water soils and this will eventually lead to increasing concentrations in humans, animals and soil particles. With water animals lanthanum causes damage to cell membranes, which has several negative influences on reproduction and on the functions of the nervous system. It strongly accumulates in mussels. Lanthanum oxide and other rare earth oxides are used in making of the optical glasses, in the preparation of glass fibers for optical purposes, in gasoline-cracking catalysts, polishing compounds, carbon arcs, and in the iron and steel industries to remove sulfur, carbon, and other electronegative elements from iron and steel (Ganjali et al. 2006). Lanthanum ions accelerate hydrolysis of phosphate ester binding by 13 orders of magnitude. This suggests that phosphate di ester in DNA may also suffer such destruction. Thus, lanthanum should be situated among the class of highly toxic metal ions that are potentially effective against micro and higher organisms. Lanthanum chloride manifests as antitumor. Genotoxicity of lanthanum (III) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes has also been reported. Lanthanum chloride caused changes in lipid peroxidation, the redox system, and ATPase activities in plasma membranes of rice seeding roots (Haiduc and Silvestru 1990; Yongxing, Xiaorong, and Zichun 2000). La detection has become necessary lately, because of the increasing utilization of lanthanum compounds in industry. Several analytical methods have been reported for low-level monitoring of La(III) ions in various sample matrices. These methods include X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (Wu et al. 2010), High Sensitive Sensor Based on Carbon Nanotube Electrode (Ghoreishi et al. 2013), Ultrasound-Assisted Emulsification-Microextraction (USAEME) Followed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometr (ICP-OES), (Sereshti, Far, and Samadi 2012) inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (Agrawal and Shrivastav 1997; Liang, Liu, and Guo 2005), Combining high temperature electrochemistry and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (Rohnke et al.
In chapter 8 titled "Radium (Ra)" of The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum, the most interesting story developed within this chapter was the death of dial workers at Orange, New Jersey after been exposed to radium every day. It was interesting due to the fact that radium was used everywhere in the community and was never thought it could harm anyone. Radium was a super element that was used everywhere, but its continuous use unmasked its fatal habits. As it was stated in the text, "Radiant health, the ads proclaimed-beautiful skin, endless vigor, and eternal health—ingesting radium seemed the next best thing to drinking sunlight." (Blum 179). People were accepting radium as a natural gold element but they haven't realized constant contact
This last process is significant not only because it brought dioxin the current notoriety but it also is a chemical process used to make products that were used and are still been used in many applications. These applications include pesticide, herbicide, defoliating agent such as Agent Orange, cleaning agent and electrical insulation. Consequently, human exposure to dioxin is not a recent phenomenon and the dangers of dioxin are not unknown. Only in recent years, especially after the Vietnam War, has the media concentrated on the dangers and impact of dioxin.
Lanyon Passage Essay Example This passage is significant in the novel for the sudden changes which are revealed in the characters of Lanyon and Jekyll, which are as yet inexplicable for the reader. In the preceding chapter the reader has learned of the connection between the handwriting of Jekyll and Hyde, with Guest noticing that they are identical, yet 'differently sloped '. This chapter, therefore, comes as a shock to the reader, as there has been nothing to suggest why Lanyon should so suddenly fall ill, nor why Jekyll should decide to 'lead a life of extreme seclusion '. Later in the novel the reader will discover that it was Jekyll 's relapse into the form of Hyde while comparing his 'active goodwill ' to the 'lazy cruelty ' of those
Since its discovery, lithium has been primarily used in batteries, in chemical synthesis, and in alloys and glass. Although lithium is used in everyday things we use, l...
Strontium was discovered by Adair Crawford, an Irish chemist, in 1790 while studying the mineral witherite (BaCO3). When he mixed witherite with hydrochloric acid (HCl), he did not get the results he expected. He assumed that his sample of witherite was contaminated with an unknown mineral, a mineral he named strontianite (SrCO3). Strontium was first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy, an English chemist, in 1808 through the electrolysis of a mixture of strontium chloride (SrCl2) and mercuric oxide (HgO). Strontium reacts vigorously with water and quickly tarnishes in air, so it must be stored out of contact with air and water. Due to its extreme reactivity to air, this element always naturally occurs combined with other elements and compounds. Strontium is very
Beryllium and its unique characteristic led to it being used widely in a variety of industries prior to is know toxic effects. Today it is know that beryllium is a highly toxic material which results in devastating toxic effects on the lungs. There has been drastic increases in the regulation in beryllium use so as to protect those that directly handle and work with the metal. With theses regulations, beryllium is fairly safe to work with and use in a variety of products and industries. In the following text, there will be a description of beryllium confusing history and toxic effects on the respiratory system of man.
Arsenic is element 33 on the periodic table and is in Group 15. Arsenic is obviously an extremely poisonous element; however, some people have found arsenic to have a restorative effect on them. Chemically, arsenic is a metalloid. Two common forms of arsenic are gray and yellow. (see Figure 1-A) Element 33 has an atomic weight of 74.9216 and the chemical symbol of As. It boils at 613ºC, melts at 817ºC, and has a density of 5.72. (see Figure 2-A) The element has been known for centuries and can be easily obtained from ores such as arsenopyrite (FeAsS), realgar (As2S2), orpiment (As2S3), and arsenic trioxide (As2O3). There are many uses for arsenic. Among them is in the manufacturing of glass to eliminate the air bubbles and the green color caused by contaminated iron compounds. Arsenic is also added to materials such as lead and copper alloys to increase the strength and better the corrosion resistance. Although it is well known that arsenic is often used in tales (both true and otherwise) as a killing agent, arsenic has been used as a curative as well. Before penicillin was introduced, arsenic played a significant role in the treatment of syphilis. Other good uses for element 33 are as insecticides and semiconductors. Gallium arsenide (GaAs) is a known semiconductor that is also used as a laser material. A good test for the detection of arsenic is the Marsh test, invented by James Marsh, an English chemist.
From the Greek word "lithos" meaning "stone", it was so named due to the fact that it was discovered from a mineral source; whereas the other two common Group 1 elements, Sodium and Potassium, were found in plant sources. Its symbol, Li, was taken directly from its name. Soon after stumbling upon Lithium, Arfvedson also found traces of the metal in the minerals Spodumene and Lepidolite. In 1818, C.G. Gmelin discovered that Lithium salts color flames a bright red. Neither, Gmelin or Arfvedson, however, were able to isolate the element itself from the Lithium salts. They both tried to reduce the oxide by heating it with Iron or Carbon, but neither met with the success of W.T. Brande and Sir Humphrey Davy. They managed to perform the first isolation of elemental Lithium by the electrolysis of Lithium oxide. Electrolysis is a chemical reaction, which is brought about by the passage of current from an external energy source such as a battery. In 1855, the scientists Bunsen and Mattiessen isolated larger quantities of the metal by electrolysis of Lithium chloride.
Na (sodium Li (lithium) is all too dangerous to react with a strong acid. Ba (barium). Ca (Calcium). Mg (magnesium) -. Al (aluminium) manageable metals.
Evidence provided to support these claims of human and wildlife harm is largely from laboratory studies in which large doses are fed to test animals, usually rats or mice, and field studies of wildlife species that have been exposed to the chemicals mentioned above. In laboratory studies, high doses are required to give weak hormone activity. These doses are not likely to be encountered in the environment. However the process of bioaccumulation can result in top-level predators such as humans to have contaminants at levels many million times greater than the environmental background levels (Guilette 1994). In field studies, toxicity caused by endocrine disruption has been associated with the presence of certain pollutants. Findings from such studies include: reproductive disruption in starfish due to PCBs, bird eggshell thinning due to DDT, reproductive failure in mink, small penises in alligators due to DDT and dicofol (Guillette 1994, Colburn et al 1996). In addition, a variety of reproductive problems in many other species are claimed to be associated with environmental contamination although the specific causative agents have not been determined. One recent discovery that complicates the situation is that there are many naturally occurring "phytoestrogens", or chemicals of plant origin that exhibit weak estrogenic properties.
There are many contributing factors that enhance the amount of lead in the environment, for instance, environmental lead occurs from the burning of leaded gasoline, from battery and smelter industries and it’s also found in ink and paper. Additionally, many canned food products are sealed with lead solder (Analytical Research Laboratories, 2012). Due to the vast quantity of lead found in the environment, exposure is inevitable. On the contrary, there are three main ways in which lead can enter the body: inhalation, ingestion or absorption through the skin. It may be inhaled when it is burned or melted, releasing some of the lead as a fume and or when dust that contains lead becomes airborne. In terms of ingestion, lead may be ingested through drinking water, when dust particles containing lead come in contact with food or food preparation surfaces, etc. In particular cases that inv...
V. Amarnath, D. C. Anthony, K. Amarnath, W. M. Valentine, L. A. Wetterau, D. G. J. Org. Chem. 1991, 56, p. 6924-6931.
Hazardous materials come in many forms and include: explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons and radioactive materials. These dangerous substances are usually released during a transportation accident or through accidents or chemical spills in plants and factories. Since hazardous materials are shipped or transported through a variety of ways including l, waterways, and major highways and the release of these chemicals could cause serious harm. They can enter our water ways from oil rig spills or enter the environment from a train derailment or a container truck accident. The affects of a hazardous materials incident can include serious injury or death, serious health effects and property damage and environmental damage including bodies of water.
Environmental hazards arise as well from hazardous materials and waste. Hazardous materials concerns could arise from spills of gasoline, diesel fuel, oil, or solvents from containers or vehicles. Spills could contaminate soils or leach into ground or surface water. And environmental hazards could adversely affect humans, wild life, vegetation and water supply.
Also, when soil in and close production ranges turn out to be unclean due to dumping of excess material, such terrestrial cannot be used for farming processes. Pollution is also caused by iron and steel mills; zinc, lead, and copper smelters; municipal incinerators; oil refineries; cement plants; and nitric and sulphuric acid plants. Soil pollution is mostly due to elements in herbicides (wild plant killers) and pesticides (toxins which kill flies and other invertebrate mice). Litter is unused material put in public places such as streets, parks, picnic areas and near shops. The addition of waste intimidates the wellbeing of individuals in housing areas. Waste decays, heartens domestic rascals and goes urban places into unappealing, unclean and unhealthy areas to live in.( (Michael