Sodium hypochlorite

Have a sneeze? Use some sodium hypochlorite!

Tired of having an itchy nose with the constant sneezing?

Bleach Bottle, ClipArt Library

Your doctor telling you that your allergic to something called dust?

Worried that you might get asthma like your older brother?

Well have no fear; some good old bleach is here!!

Being allergic to almost everything in the house can be a pain because the home is where the heart is... not the pile of tissues! Studies have found that using bleach (sodium hypochlorite) as a disinfectant in the house can actually cure/calm many indoor allergies, while protecting against asthma and eczema¹. But how can a simple white bottle sitting under that kitchen sink be so important? Let me explain! 

In 1785, a famous chemist known as Claude Berthollet created a wondrous chemical known as sodium hypochlorite; commonly known as bleach ². He did this by mixing together chlorine gas with sodium hydroxide³. Initially this yellow tinted liquid was invented to fade out colours; but today we use bleach for other things such as a disinfectant. Sodium hypochlorite can be used as a disinfectant in swimming pools, antibacterial sprays, for nerve agent neutralization and at home³! 

Dust Bunny, ClipArt Library

The bleach found at home has a lower concentration (4-7%) of sodium hypochlorite in it³. This is because a higher dosage is not needed in order to effectively clean our homes! Our household bleach doesn’t just clean up dust, dirt and mold, but also kills some dangerous bacteria that can cause various infections³. Studies have found that families who clean their house with bleach have reported to catch less colds and flus⁴! They have also uncovered reduced risks of catching hay fever, calming down asthma attacks and eczema flares⁴.

Now with all good things there are always precautions. Don’t go too crazy cleaning your house with bleach, stay with the recommended amount that is 2-3 times a week⁴. As we know bleach is corrosive therefore it is essential to wear gloves when using this chemical! Don’t try to inhale it because that can cause many respiratory problems (something we are trying to prevent)⁵. Also, it is important to note bleach is meant for disinfecting surfaces, drinking it is a definite no as it can eat away your insides⁵.Bleach should never be mixed with other cleaning detergents because it can create dangerous chlorine gas!

Always remember it is still a chemical therefore needs to be handled safely. As long as the precautions are met, bleach is a great way to disinfect your house while keeping you healthy all year long!! 

References:

¹ Nickmilder,M., Carbonnele,S. and Bernard,A. (2007). House Cleaning with chlorine bleach and the risks of allergiv and respiratory diseases in children. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 18:27-35. doi:10.1111/j.1399-3038.2006.00487.x

²Claude-LouisBerthollet. (n.d.). In Encyclopeaedia Britannica online. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Claude-Louis-Berthollet

³Disinfectants Sodium hypochlorite. Lenntech.Retrieved from https://www.lenntech.com/processes/disinfection/chemical/disinfectants-sodium-hypochlorite.htm

⁴Zock,J., Medicinska och farmaceutiska vetenskapsomradet, Uppasala universitet, Medicinska fakulteten, Institutionen for medicinska vetenskaper, & Arbets- och miljomedicin. (2009). Domestic use of hypochlorite bleach, atopic sensitization, and respiratory symptions in adults. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 124(4), 731-738.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.06.007
⁵Sodium Hypochlorite, 5%; MSDS No. SLS1654;ScienceLab.com: Houston, Texas. Retrieved from https://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9925000

MSG: It’s been hiding in our food for over 100 years!

MSG might have gotten a bad wrap from the “clean” food movement ^[1]. We’ve been getting a lot of news thrown in our faces recently about how industries are trying to kill us by engineering chemicals that will make short work of us and our families ^[2]. However, like most savvy business people know, you don’t make money when you kill your costumers…

10KGMSG. Dominik Schwind. License: CC BY 2.0. No changes made.

In the case of MSG (otherwise known as Monosodium Glutamate) there is the idea that the food seasoning is somehow an unnatural chemical cocktail ^[3] that only recently come into existence. 

Fortunately, MSG has been around with us for quite sometime. MSG was first discovered by Kikunae Ikeda in 1908 ^[4]. Kikunae found that dishes with a seaweed called Konbu added to them tasted better, and later pinpointed MSG for the distinct savory flavor people were experiencing. Kikunae then went on to find a way to make MSG so it could be used elsewhere in foods. 

Originally (1909) MSG was made using wheat gluten from flour and acids ^[5] which may have lead to its reputation as a scary industrial chemical. However, today MSG is made the same way yogurt and cheese is ^[6], through a process known as fermentation.

Oenococcus oeni. Wikipedia. License:Public Domain.

Fermentation works be having tiny little critters called microbes eat away at sugars, which leaves behind waste products we can use. In the case of MSG, sugar from sugar cane is fermented by a special microbe ^[7] to create something called glutamic acid ^[8]. This acid is then “neutralized”, like how baking soda is used to take away the acidity of vinegar ^[9], to leave behind MSG.  After this, the mix is filtered and dewatered to make MSG crystals. That’s it! 

Chinese Food. mroach. License: CC BY-SA 2.0. No Changes Made

There really isn’t much that goes into making MSG. The only real chemical process that goes on is similar to what happens in a science fair volcano. So, whether you like MSG or not, hopefully this makes it a little easier to chow down on your favorite Chinese takeout next time you order in knowing where the notorious seasoning, MSG, comes from.  

  

 

 

References

[1] What is clean eating? CNN. Retrieved Oct 30^th, 2017 from: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/23/health/clean-eating/index.html

[2] The Globalists Are Killing You with Food. InfoWars. Retrieved Oct 30^th, 2017 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nqhf4wN-jY

[3] What Exactly is MSG? Retrieved Oct 11^th, 2017 from: http://www.msgtruth.org/whatisit.htm

[4] Kikunae Ikeda. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved Oct 26^th, 2017 from:   https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kikunae-Ikeda

[5] L-Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). Tetsuya Kawakita. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Published Dec 4^th, 2000.

[6] Q and A on MSG. FDA. Retrieved Oct 25^th, 2017 from: https://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/FoodAdditivesIngredients/ucm328728.htm

[7] Corynebacterium glutamicum. Jacob Roam. University of Missouri. Retrieved Oct 30^th, 2017 from: http://web.mst.edu/~microbio/BIO221_2007/C_glutamicum.htm

[8] L-glutamic acid info. PubChem. Retrieve Oct 25^th, 2017 from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/L-glutamic_acid#section=Top

[9] Baking soda and vinegar reaction: ThoughtCo. Retrieved Oct 25^th, 2017 from: https://www.thoughtco.com/equation-for-the-reaction-of-baking-soda-and-vinegar-604043

Hydrogen Peroxide

Let’s pretend you are riding your bike down the street and suddenly, the neighbour’s cat stops in front of you but you were unable to brake in time. You lose control of the bike causing you to fall and scrape your knee. Your mom, always coming in to your rescue, comes out with this brown bottle and a cotton pad. What do you think is in there that heals your cut? Is your mom magic?

Lorelyn Medina: https://www.123rf.com/clipart-vector/scrape.html?mediapopup=8329109

Well, she could be but in reality, it is a chemical compound called Hydrogen Peroxide or H2O2. It is basically a composition of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.¹ In fact, not only is it in that magic bottle but you can also find it in bleach or your sister’s hair dye. If you look closely enough, it is also in your mouthwash. Now, as your mom dabs your wound, you might hear a slight fizzing sound and see foam building up but don’t be scared! Hydrogen Peroxide fizzes and foams because it is releasing oxygen gas as it comes in contact with your blood and other exposed cells. Another example can be mouthwash. As you swirl it around your mouth, it foams too. This is to ensure that bacteria does not build up in your mouth and cause infections.²

Companies make hydrogen peroxide very carefully and in different concentrations. For example, the solution used for your cut is stronger than the solution in your mouthwash. This is to prevent poisoning and irritation. Hydrogen peroxide should be handled by an adult or a professional because overexposure can be deadly. Hydrogen peroxide on its own can cause bleeding and if inhaled can cause shortness of breath. It can also irritate the nose and the throat if not handled properly.¹

All chemicals should be handled with caution so if you are not sure, always ask an adult for help. 

References:

¹Hydrogen Peroxide. In Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology[Online]; Wiley & Sons, Posted August 17, 2001.                 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.libproxy.mtroyal.ca/doi/10.1002/0471238961.0825041808051919.a01.pub2/full (accessed on Oct 16, 2017).

²Why Does Hydrogen Peroxide Foam When You Put It On A Cut.                 https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/science-questions/question115.htm (accessed   on Oct 30, 2017)

Heart Attack and Stroke - Are you at Risk?

Jamie Street: https://stocksnap.io/photo/WIG7YVMEDF

Hormones are small substances that deliver messages to different parts of your body.1 These small substances control the way your body responds to a specific situation. For example, when you are feeling stressed, your body will respond by releasing a hormone called adrenaline. Adrenaline will boost your energy levels, blood pressure and keep you alert for a short period of time. It is the reason a mother is able to lift a car off of her child in a moment of panic or the reason you stand a chance in a fight against a bear.2 However, when these hormones stay active for too long, there can be significant damage to your body. Luckily, this can be controlled by taking medications. Aldosterone is a stress hormone that will increase your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is constantly above normal, you are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.3  In order to keep blood pressure in the normal range, individuals may take a drug called ramipril. Once ramipril is swallowed, it works with the body and stops aldosterone from being set free.4 Like any drug, ramipril has its downsides. It is common for individuals who take ramipril to begin coughing due to the medication. If this does happen however, another medication can be offered as a replacement. These replacement medications are not as effective at controlling blood pressure as ramipril.4

The best way to treat high blood pressure is to not have it in the first place. You can reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure by exercising,  keeping a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and checking it every once in awhile!5 To check your blood pressure, talk to your doctor or go to your local pharmacy and use their blood pressure cuff. It’s a quick and easy habit to develop in order to keep your body happy and healthy.

References

1 Merriam-Webster. Hormone; 2017. Retrieved from:     https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hormone

2 Jeff Wise. Yes, You Really Can Lift a Car off a Trapped Child; Psychology Today, November 4rth 2010. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/extreme-fear/201011/yes-you-really-can-lift-car-trapped-child

3 Hypertension Canada. Health Risks Associated With High Blood Pressure; 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.hypertension.ca/en/hypertension/what-do-i-need-to-know/health-risks-associated-with-high-blood-pressure

4 Michael Patrick Adams, Carol Quam Urban. Pharmacology, Connections to Nursing Practice;   Third Edition; January 22nd 2015.

5 Krisha McCoy. 6 Ways to Prevent Hypertension; everyday Health, February 12th 2016. Retrieved from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/hypertension/preventing.aspx\