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| median lethal dose, the average dose of a toxic substance needed to kill 50% of a test population (usually mice) |
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| a potential threat or danger (i.e. being poisoned, getting struck by lightning |
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| statistical probability that some adverse effect or injury will occur from the hazard at a specific dose/level of exposure |
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| chemicals that disrupt the endocrine (hormonal system) of mammals at certain doses |
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| isomeric monocyclic ring compounds, refers to chlorinated derivatives (PCDDs) that are carcinogens/mutagens. Generated whenever organic material is burned with chlorine, contaminates through air pollution and accumulates in fatty tissues. Agent orange = dioxin |
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| form of mercury in contaminated foods. From burning of fossil fuels and industrial activities which release mercury as a gas into the atmosphere, precipitates out in rainwater. Not easily removed and progressively becomes more concentrated as it moves up the food chain (like dioxins and PCBs) |
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| Eating too many MSG laden food (Chinese food syndrome), could be caused by MSG triggering migraine headaches due to glutamate imbalancing in functioning (glutamate is a neurotransmitter). Has never been scientifically proven |
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| BPA, used to synthesize type 3 and 7 plastic, can get exposure from canned foods/soda or water from polycarbonate bottles. Causes neurological disorders and cancer, leaching from BPA is greatest with acidic food |
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| Polychlorinated biphenyls, industrial pollutant that contaminates water or soil incorporated into plants. Eaten by animals, concentrated in their fat. Benzene rings with multiple chlorine atoms and contain no oxygen atoms. Originally used as coolant in electrical transformers. Not soluble in water and denser, sinks in lakes/rivers |
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| Ergot: group of fungi from the genus claviceps, infects grain crops (especially rye) to cause ergotism. Ergotism: disease that causes hallucinations/convulsions |
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| from mushrooms, thermostable toxin that’s extremely poisonous, causes fatal liver/kidney damage |
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| class of mycotoxins that commonly contaminate cereal grains, nuts/spices. 5 fused rings, 3 have O atoms, can contaminate dairy cow products if they eat it. Alfatoxin B1 is super carcinogenic, causes liver damage |
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| Scrombroid Fish Poisoning |
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| in popular commercial fish, due to high contents of histidine in Scombridae fish. Symptoms are headache, GI pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Due to bacterial growth in improperly stored/handled fish |
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| modified vegetable oils used as emulsifiers in certain beverages (esp. citrus soft-drinks), heavy bromine atoms increase the density of the oils allowing the emulsified oil droplets to be uniformly dispersed in the aqueous phase. Excessive consumption can cause bromism, a neurological disorder |
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