DIMETHYL FUMARATE in Silica Sachets...!!!!

   Dimethyl fumarate(DMFu) is sensitizing and volatile chemical being added to the furniture/packaging as an Anti-fungal agent. It is biocide used to prevent mould growth on products during transit and storage. It is white crystalline powder and is most frequently supplied in a sachet through which chemicals can be release.

      It is mainly found in desiccants. Which are used to remove moisture and mainly used in packaging industry. There are many types of desiccants used in packaging industry. Silica gel is a most common type in which DMFu is used as an anti-fungal/biocide agent. But nowadays due to the regulations in countries like France, Belgium, Spain, Italy some silica sachets are DMFu Free.

Picture- 3.1

PC- http://www.southerntapes.ie/product/silica-gel-sachets/

      European countries have initiated prohibition for this chemical in many products like, Shoes, Gloves, Bags etc. This chemical can be found in the transportation process of Leather, Shoes, Textile and products made from Bamboo or wood.

      As per the European commission, this chemical is harmful if the concentration of this chemical is greater than 0.1 ppm i.e. 0.1 mg/kg. It may result in severe allergenic skin reactions for some individuals. It is allergic to the Skin (added as a new footwear allergen), eyes, acute respiratory difficulty and it also causes painful dermatitis. Dermatitis is a group of diseases that results in inflammation of skin. These diseases are characterized by itchiness, red skin, and a rash.(see picture 3.2). Dimethyl fumarate may cause a serious viral infection of the brain. Common side effects may include: nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain. 

Picture-3.2 

PC - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatitis

    Nowadays, People are using silica sachets to maintain freshness, smell and humidity in many products like to protect Photos, to clear foggy windshield, to protect documents, for dryness of makeup bag, inside the tool box, camera bags, dry out wet cell phone etc.

People should take proper precaution while handling silica sachets. Be careful using silica gel packets anywhere in reach of children.

• If you have kids in your house, DO NOT keep silica gel packets hanging around because these are toxic when eaten.
• Follow the packet’s warning: “Throw Away.” 
• Also, be careful when using them near the dinning or kitchen area as well as with pets or in places you keep your food.

References-
http://www.happy-mothering.com/02/household/8-little-known-uses-for-silica-gel-packets/
http://www.leathermag.com/features/featuredimethyl-fumarate-dmf-product-ban-causes-confusion/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethyl_fumarate
http://www-03.ibm.com/procurement/proweb.nsf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatitis

ARE LIPSTICKS DANGEROUS?

Every day millions of women apply lipstick without a second thought. Many Women Say Lipstick Makes Them Feel Beautiful and Confident.

According to the University of California study, the problem is when women who apply lipstick too many times a day. The result is that they are ingesting and absorbing through their lips as much as 87 milligrams of product a day, the study says. Two consecutive FDA investigations found lead in 100 percent of the lipsticks tested.

What is LEAD?

Lead is a chemical element, which is poisonous to animals and humans. Lead is a substance that can damage brain and nervous system. It can be dangerous at small doses. Medical experts are clear that any level of lead exposure is unhealthy. It is an ingredient, which is not allowed in paint, in textiles, in jewellery due to the toxicity, but it may present in your lipsticks. And the amounts of lead found in lipsticks aren’t small. An expanded FDA study in 2010 found lead in 400 lipsticks at levels up to 7.19 ppm (mg/kg). Presence of lead in lipstick, which is ingested and absorbed through the skin, which raises concerns about the safety of a cosmetic product that is widely popular among women.

After this, you might be searched for lead free lipsticks and you will get many results. But, we cannot verify whether the lead free lipsticks are real or not? The only way is, if it is made from only natural ingredients and the equipment used for making it does not contain lead. Again, it is also not possible to check the equipment used for this. So, we can do only two things. First, use fewer amounts of lipsticks; avoid reapplying lipstick many times a day. And second, don’t let children use lipstick, as their young bodies are so sensitive for toxic metals. 

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PC-www.ecouterre.com

Label on Fruit...Is it really Safe?

Have you ever think, when you peeled off the label of the fruit (Especially Apple), is the glue is safe to eat?

The PLU (Price Look Up) code, or price lookup number printed on the sticker, tells you how the fruit was grown and it is really very useful to select healthy fruit. But is it seriously mentioned by Indian Market? Or seriously tested in food Laboratory that how much chemicals penetrated in to the fruit?(refer image which will give details about PLU code.)

The adhesive used to attach the stickers and Labels should be food grade, but the labels themselves are not. The stickers and labels are helpful to identify which apple you have chosen, because nowadays there are more varieties. Stickers and labels helping to scan the price at the checkout stand.

We should know first that whether which chemicals are present into the sticker?

Possibility of Phthalates and formaldehyde which can be present into the stickers, especially in gum used to stick labels.

How harmful these two chemicals to our body?

Phthalates- possible effects of Phthalates on human health can be deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, neuro developmental issues, behavioral issues, altered reproductive development and male fertility issues.

Formaldehyde –The most common health problems in people exposed to formaldehyde include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Formaldehyde may cause occupational asthma, but this seems to be rare. Vapors may be irritating to skin, eyes, nose, throat. Allergenic. Formaldehyde in food or water may also rapidly enter your body through the digestive tract. Some studies of humans found more cases of nose and throat cancer than expected.

Introduction

              Chemistry is a big part of your everyday life. You will find chemistry in daily life in the foods you eat, the air you breathe, cleaning chemicals and every object you can see or touch. You can see some examples here, when you cut onions in kitchen, the tears begin to fall, what will be the reason behind this? Washing our hands with soap, what will be the reason behind the foaming? What will be the reason to the strong scent that occurs in the air when rain falls after a dry spell of weather or when soil is disturbed? The reason is only due to chemistry behind this.

               It’s no secret that most women wear makeup every day. And as we all are aware that cosmetic industry puts thousands of synthetic chemicals into personal care products.

               Textile chemistry is applies many chemicals to the production of textiles, such as those used in clothing, furniture, leather, air bags, and much more. Various processes are carried by the textile production units where different chemicals find their usage. These processes include Scouring, Bleaching, Desizing, Softening, Mercerization, Dyeing, etc.

              Chemical substances also play an important role in food production and preservation. Food colors can make food more attractive. Flavourings are used to make food tastier. Some of the harmful chemicals commonly found in our food and food containers, 

              Chemicals have a variety of toxicological properties, some of which might cause effects in humans and animals. From this blog, you will get all the information regarding the chemicals used in daily life, which will be helpful to decision makers to control the uses of chemicals in your daily life.