Harmfull chemicals abound in world
Harmfull chemicals abound in world
JAKARTA (JP): Government regulators and the public must remain
wary of the massive common use of some 70,000 chemicals around
the world as some may by carcinogenic -- contain substances which
can cause cancer.
"In 1981, the National Cancer Institute in the United States
reported that from approximately 70,000 chemicals in common use,
only 4,000 to 8,000 have been tested for carcinogenicity,"
Thailand's Princess Chulabhorn said in her written address at the
executive seminar on Environmental Toxicology here on Monday.
"Between 800 and 900 compounds are known to be carcinogenic
and between 1,600 and 2,800 compounds are possibly carcinogenic,"
said Chulabhorn, who is also President of Bangkok-based
Chulabhorn Research Institute.
With the increase in the production and use of chemical
compounds, people have become more exposed to the harmful effects
of some of the chemicals either directly or indirectly through
pollution of our natural environment, she said.
Chulaborn further quoted a Paracelsus' 15th Century principle
of toxicology which says that: all things are poisons, it is only
the dose which determines how lethal they are.
"Examples of this early citation in current daily living is
illustrated by a commonly used drug, acetaminophen or
parasetamol, which is therapeutic at approximately 500 milligram
to 3 grams. At higher dosages of 15 grams to 20 grams, these
drugs may be fatal".
"Caffeine in 100 cups of coffee is lethal. One liter of whisky
may be lethal," she added.
In addition to the dose, duration of exposure is also one of
the key factors in determining results of chemical toxicity.
Turning her attention to environmental pollution, both
regulatory agencies and the public should be concerned with the
long-term effects of receiving small amounts of pollutants since
it will take a period of 10 to 30 years to see the end result.
"Therefore, training in environmental toxicology must receive
top priority from the governments in Southeast Asia as these
countries are experiencing rapid growth and development," she
said.
"Trained personnel must be integrated within industries so
that the toxic hazards and emissions can be identified and
managed to prevent harmful effects," she added.
The seminar was also attended by noted toxicology experts such
as D.J. Ecobichon from McGill University, Canada. (edt)