Learn about 5 main Contaminants of Food and the way they can affect the Health of a Person
It is true that food is the most basic requisite of life but if contaminated with certain harmful substances, the same food causes different health problems. Following is a description of some of the common contaminants of food that are found in the environment and can threaten the health of people who use it.
Lead
Lead is a heavy metal which, when taken in food, can cause anemia, kidney problems, and impairment of nervous system. In children, lead contaminated food can cause learning disability. To prevent lead contamination of food, the food should not be stored in a can with a lead solder joint after the can has been opened. Air entering the can increases the rate of degradation of the solder joint and the release of lead into the food item. This is especially the case with acidic food species like tomatoes. To prevent lead contamination of the food we must not store acidic products like fruit juice, sauerkraut, and pickled vegetables in galvanized, tin, or other types of metal containers. Acid can dissolve the metal and make the contained food harmful to health. Containers of stainless steel are fine to use. Lead may also leak out of solder joints in copper pipes. Hence it is advisable to let tap water run for at least a minute before drinking or taking it for cooking, especially in the morning. Leaded crystals and pottery glazes are other means by which lead can enter food. In America today, lead is no more used in these dishes and glazes. But homemade or imported pottery still carries the risk of contamination with lead. Care should be exercised in using antiques or collectibles for storing food items.
Dioxin
Dioxin is a complex chemical defoliant (a chemical sprayed on plants to make it shed its leaves). Even small doses of dioxin have been found to cause cancer and other diseases in animals. Food sources contaminated with dioxin are usually the bottom-feeding fish from lakes that are contaminated with industrial wastes. Therefore, people who frequently feed on local fish are more likely to suffer from the effects of dioxin than those who consume a variety of commercial fish. Some paper products also contain dioxin, milk cartons and coffee filters included. Efforts have been made to bring down the dioxin level of these products.
Mercury
Mercury is another toxic heavy metal that mostly contaminates seafood, especially fish. Mercury poisoning can damage the nervous system, endocrine system, kidneys, and may cause birth defects in infants. Swordfish is a particularly infamous food due to causing mercury poisoning in humans. As a safety measure, it is advisable to consume younger and smaller fish from freshwater because they carry no or less accumulated mercury than larger and older fish.
Urethane
Urethane forms during the fermentation of alcoholic beverages. Levels of urethane increase further if the fermented liquid is heated (as in sherry or bourbon). Urethane has been found to cause cancer in animals. Nausea, vomiting, and gastroenteric hemorrhages have been reported in patients who were treated with medicines that contained urethane. Until the undergoing research on health effects of urethane comes up with clear conclusions, it is safe to keep the alcohol intake at a minimum.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs for short, are chemicals that have widely been used in industrail products. Their use has now been banned becaused they are considred responsible for liver tumors and reproductive defects in animals. Again, fish is the main food source of PCB intoxication, especially freshwater fish like Coho and Chinook Salmon as well as bottom-feeding fish from waters in industrial areas.
