Questions tagged [toxicity]
Questions on the harmful effects of various substances on the human body, or biological organisms in general.
179
questions
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Avoiding chemical reactions with carbonated alcoholic drinks
I'm making a cooling beverage dispenser for carbonated drinks. The keg remains room temperature and the beverage rises through a pipe that's coiled up inside a cooling unit filled with water or ...
12
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4answers
3k views
Is Fluorine more toxic than Chlorine?
Fluorine is more reactive than Chlorine. But does it mean that Fluorine can cause more damage to living tissues? If so, why wasn't Fluorine used in WW1 instead of Chlorine?
3
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2answers
83 views
Biological activity of the isotopes of the same element
I have a question regarding biological activity of different isotopes of the same elements, notably $\ce{^206Pb}$ and $\ce{^208Pb}$. Lead is known to be toxic, such that it can replace calcium from ...
0
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1answer
48 views
What compound(s) contribute to bleach's smell and are they dangerous?
Just a few hours ago, I had to deal with a mold problem on some untreated wood and was told by a hardware store worker that bleach was an effective way to deal with the problem, following up with some ...
2
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0answers
18 views
Chemical safety information: Where to look to find out how poisonous poisons are?
Could someone point me toward a primer on how to read the toxicity warnings on standard chemical data sheets? Or alternatively, where one should look for more precise information than is contained on ...
5
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1answer
65 views
How are the toxic components in a mixture identified?
I was doing research on buckwheat sprouts (as to whether I should include them in my diet) and I came across a website that said eating too much can cause fagopyrism, which is caused by compounds ...
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0answers
21 views
How do I understand exactly how hazardous a material is based on SDS?
I work with a lab occasionally and get asked often if a chemical is safe to breathe, how hazardous is it if it lands on skin, etc. For the most part, I'll try to go to an SDS and look it up. The ...
2
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0answers
23 views
How do structural differences between neostigmine and TL-599 contribute to differences in toxicity?
Stevens and Beutel studied the activity of several carbamate anticholinesterases. Among other things, they found that the (4-trimethylammonio)phenyl dimethylcarbamate iodide (The para-analog of ...
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0answers
38 views
Why are S-thiocarbamates less toxic than carbamates?
According to Haley and Rhodes, neostigmine bromide (alternatively known as Prostigmine) has an LD50 in mice of around 0.165 mg/kg by IV injection. Pubchem claims that this is also the LD50 for ...
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1answer
29 views
How does lead toxicity from jewelry happen vs. occupational exposure?
It is known that lead levels in jewelry is a problem, especially for children (https://dtsc.ca.gov/toxics-in-products/lead-in-jewelry/). As a parent with jewelry-loving children I am aware that ...
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3answers
70 views
Does aluminium foil, warmed up by sunlight, harm human health? [closed]
I must lightproof and block sunlight in new bedroom. I can't afford blinds or window coverings. I don't use garbage bags, because a plastic bag baking in the sun may emit harmful chemicals (see Home ...
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112 views
Is it OK to dispose of potassium hydrogen phthalate into the sewer system?
I have been using potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) for creating primary standards. I have looked into the Flinn catalog, and the disposal consideration is classified as "organic acids, must be ...
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1answer
37 views
Could there ever be a way to safely handle visible amounts of elements like astatine, francium, or protactinium? [closed]
This is something I'd actually be interested in doing if possible. I've asked about artificial stability here https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/584595/could-there-at-least-theoretically-ever-...
0
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2answers
62 views
Do hydrogen sulfide and oxygen produce pure sulfur or sulfur dioxide? If both, under which circumstances does each scenario occur? [closed]
If both of the following hydrogen sulfide and oxygen chemical equations can occur, under what circumstances is the harmless pure sulfur and the toxic sulfur dioxide produced?
$\ce{2H2S + O2 -> 2H2O ...
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1answer
61 views
Is elemental lead as toxic as lead compounds? [duplicate]
On the internet, nobody mentions about lead's oxidation state when talking about lead poisoning. I assume it's Pb(II) and Pb(IV), as chelation therapy is suggested as a treatment. Also, its ...
0
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1answer
122 views
Using the right equipment for successful detection of Novichok [closed]
Apparently, Navalny’s biomaterials were flown to Moscow's Nii Sklif lab which didn't find any traces of the poison. But they used an American Agilent Technologies GC-MS [1], while Bundeswehr ...
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0answers
33 views
A dataset of drugs or molecules that failed the FDA approval process
I am looking for a dataset of bad drugs, the opposite of FDA approved drugs.
There is this database of withdrawn drugs, but these drugs were withdrawn after making it into the market.
Is there any ...
5
votes
2answers
951 views
What chemical properties of ethanol make it usable for drinks as compared to that of methanol? [closed]
Methanol ($\ce{CH3OH}$) and ethanol ($\ce{C2H5OH}$) both are the organic compounds having an alcoholic group. The alcoholic beverages (liquors and spirits) for human consumption (albeit injurious to ...
21
votes
3answers
4k views
How toxic chemically is plutonium (Pu), neglecting the radioactive damage?
In Rhodes' The Making of the Atomic Bomb, he says that, while Pu is not that radioactive (which is surprising -- maybe he means compared with radium and some other elements), it is very toxic.
I would ...
3
votes
2answers
93 views
What is the mechanism of AChE inhibition by Onchidal?
A naturally-occuring neurotoxin, called Onchidal, produced by a species of sea slug acts as an irreversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. The structure of Onchidal is presented below:
How and ...
2
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1answer
123 views
Why is methyl parathion less toxic than ethyl parathion?
According to the PubChem pages on ethyl parathion and methyl parathion (pages 11 and 12 of the toxicity section, respectively), methyl parathion is significantly less toxic than ethyl parathion. The ...
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0answers
232 views
Will a dangerous amount of lead leach into soil from a galvanised corrugated steel raised bed? [closed]
I have searched, found similar questions but none answer my specific need.
I have built a raised garden bed to grow vegetables (ironically due to a high lead content in our garden soil - planning to ...
2
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0answers
35 views
Why are carbamates capable of inhibiting acetylcholinesterase?
Certain carbamate compounds, such as the insecticide carbaryl or the Edgewood carbamates such as EA-3990, can inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Unlike organophosphorus compounds, however, they ...
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2answers
1k views
Fumes by Melting Aluminium Soda Cans [closed]
I am planning to melt and cast aluminium from soda cans. I went to quora page that deals with "burning" aluminium can, which can release toxic gases as the cans are coated with plastic inner lining. ...
2
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1answer
54 views
Treating styrene in the atmosphere
I was actually inspired to ask this question in certain circumstances. In the outskirts of my city, there happened to be a styrene gas leak early morning today which killed thirteen and hospitalized ...
1
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1answer
115 views
Non-toxic organic bases? [closed]
I am trying to find out if there are any non-toxic organic bases that could be given orally on a non-empty stomach to treat acidosis. From my research, histidine and diluted choline hydroxide were the ...
0
votes
2answers
69 views
How can I remove the bitartrate anion from an organic bitartrate salt?
I have a compound, dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) bitartrate, which I originally purchased as a supplement and possible smart drug. I bought an absurd amount of it. It didn’t do anything for me as a ...
0
votes
1answer
70 views
Cadmium Selenide, Cadmium Sulfide, Cinnabar and Lead Oxide toxicity
I have a question about the toxicity of the pigments Cadmium Selenide (Cadmium Red), Cadmium Sulfide (Cadmium Yellow), Mercury Sulfide (Cinnabar or Vermillion) and Lead Oxide (Lead White).
Not long ...
2
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0answers
49 views
Do any pharmaceuticals increase in potency or toxicity over time?
Pursuing a question raised in these comments:
Are there any known pharmaceuticals that increase in potency or toxicity during storage, or over periods of months to years?
If not, what if we broaden ...
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votes
1answer
31 views
Does toxicity depend on state of matter? [closed]
Does the toxicity of an element depend on the state of matter (liquid, solid, gas)?
Could there be an element, which is totally non-toxic when it is solid, but toxic when it is liquid. Which elements ...
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0answers
41 views
How is mercury in drinking water detected? [closed]
A document I've been reading states that:
Both the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal and the Maximum Contaminant Level were set at 2 parts per billion because current technology allows public water ...
1
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0answers
36 views
Risks of using organic mercury compounds in analytical chemistry
I'm interested in speciation analysis. Hearing of fatal accidents with organic mercury compounds made me wonder about the risks for the analytical chemist trying to determine Hg species in foodstuff. ...
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votes
2answers
84 views
Does water in big cities get heated (boiled) for treatment?
I live in Bangkok and read how water comes to customers here:
I understand from the chart that water go through Thon Buri treatment plant (west Bangkok) and Mahasawat treatment plant (east Bangkok) ...
4
votes
1answer
192 views
Indigo and the Environment: is it that bad?
TL;DR: In what aspects are the products of the indigo vat dyeing process (sodium sulphate, sulphite and thiosulphate ions) harmful to the environment or to living beings?
I was recently looking into ...
5
votes
2answers
403 views
How does one tell (or conclude) if a substance is carcinogenic?
It's common to read statements like:
Tetrachloroethene ($\ce{CCl2=CCl2}$) was earlier used as a solvent for dry cleaning, but since it contaminated ground water and is a suspected carcinogen, ...
17
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2answers
6k views
Why is potassium ferrocyanide considered safe for consumption, when it is just one reaction away from the highly toxic potassium cyanide?
According to this answer, heating potassium ferrocyanide will decompose it into potassium cyanide.
Now, potassium ferrocyanide is an approved anti-caking agent, and hence used in table salt, for ...
1
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1answer
43 views
If heavy metals bind to sulfur why isn't sulfur used as a safer way to chelate them? [closed]
I was wondering about sulfur as an alternative life-threatening chelators. Why isn't sulfur used as a chelator if heavy metals have an affinity for it?
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0answers
38 views
Water replacement for pressure-testing [closed]
Due to circumstance, our Data Centre build has some delays and it currently looks like we're going to have to perform a hydrostatic test of our sprinkler system with live computers in it.
As I have ...
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1answer
115 views
Cup with vinegar/salt/copper solution previously in it ran through dishwasher
Someone enjoys making jewelry, and saw an online tutorial saying that you can mix equal parts of vinegar and salt, and leave copper in it for a while to oxidize it, and turn it green.
After doing ...
12
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3answers
5k views
Chilling water in copper vessel
Does chilling drinking water in copper bottle result in any chemical reaction that turns it dangerous for consumption in any way?
Few days back, in summer, I carried kokum juice in copper bottle. I ...
1
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1answer
86 views
How to determine toxicity of a substance? [closed]
I often read description of various compounds or elements as being poisonous. Now I know that through experience we have discovered the toxicity of various substances like lead, chlorine or phosgene ...
6
votes
1answer
9k views
Does melting HDPE plastic produce toxic fumes? (melting, not burning)
● The question isn't about burning HDPE but melting it at the proper temperature. (At 120 to 180°C depending on it's density, it becomes gooey. According to the source below the "extrusion" ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Are risks (hexavalent chromium) during Chrome plating temporary, or remain with the product?
Since some chrome plating production processes generate hexavalent_chromium compounds, which are reportedly highly toxic/carcinogenic, I wonder:
Do the hexavalent chromium substances only occur (...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Is the flint used in disposable lighters toxic?
Especially the sparks that result when using them. I heard this from a friend and can't seem to find an answer on Google.
0
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1answer
159 views
Is it safe to heat fluorite (CaF2) to 140 °C?
For the manufacture of the optical system, we need to heat the fluorite ($\ce{CaF2}$) lenses to $\pu{140 °C}$. Is it possible:
for some poisonous gas to be emitted? ($\ce{F2, HF}$ or other)
for ...
2
votes
0answers
358 views
What makes dimethylmercury ((CH3)2Hg) so penetrative through latex and human skin?
I've read the story of Karen Wetterhahn and how she was poisoned and died from two drops of dimethylmercury that accidentally fell on her latex glove, and I was wondering what is the chemical ...
6
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1answer
3k views
Why is carbon monoxide not a greenhouse gas?
Carbon monoxide is considered to be a toxic gas and, given that it is usually found along with $\ce{CO2}$, why it is not considered a greenhouse gas?
7
votes
2answers
169 views
Would standing next to a pool of mercury do you any harm?
I was watching this clip from the 2017 film The Mummy in which the characters stand next to a pool of mercury which was being used as part of an elaborate prison.
Several comments under this video ...
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1answer
373 views
What is the composition of camel urine. Does it contain any particularly toxic substance? [closed]
I'd like to know the composition of camel urine. Furthermore, I'd like to know if it contains any known toxins.
0
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1answer
74 views
is dental acrylic dangerous when heated?
I work in a research lab where we use small screws to attach onto hard objects and secure it with dental acrylic, to maintain durability. The screws are expensive, so when we are done with the ...
