In September 2008 the world at the sight of young children in China dialysis machines, as they fight for their lives was shocked. However, the news of contaminated milk powder does not attract much attention until it was realized that the problem of melamine in China is not only limited, but in reality has a global dimension. However, no adverse effects of melamine and its territories outside of China have been reported.
Melamine is an organic compound with the official name IUPAC1,3,5-triazine-2 ,4,6-Triamino, and the chemical formula C3H6N6. This is a solid white base and is odorless. And 'easily soluble in water, stable and not readily biodegradable.
Melamine is an industrial ingredient used to make different types of products. It is used in combination with formaldehyde in the manufacture of plastics and detergents. It 'also with other compounds for the production of flame retardants, pesticides, fertilizers, extra-strong combinationConcrete. Many things in our house have been made using melamine, formica counters, in some tissues, paper plates (melaware).
Melamine has been thought to be at low risk for humans. After this safety data sheet (MSDS) for melamine is "harmful if absorbed through contact ingestion, inhalation or skin contact. Chronic exposure may cause irritation to cause cancer or reproductive harm. Irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory system. " The toxicity of melamine is low. A"Poisons" of melamine, known as the LD50, which is determined the lethal dose that kills 50% of the animals, 3 g per kg of body weight (source: WHO).
After studying in the database on hazardous substances (HSDB), cited "melamine does not seem too large industrial risks unless decomposed by the heat." Allergic and irritant dermatitis have been observed to result from exposure to melamine, but no permanent damage is due to toxicityreported.
Like most industrial chemicals have conducted toxicology tests on melamine animals for their potential toxicity to humans, the formation of calcium deposits in the kidneys of female rats after 13 weeks of feeding foods containing melamine (WHO) and tumors Include delivery of the bladder of male rats diets containing melamine for 103 weeks (IARC). After this subsequent study, melamine and cyanuric acid together with renal toxicity in cats, pigs andFish. The study found that "even if melamine and cyanuric acid appeared to have low toxicity when administered separately, they induced the formation of large crystals kidney when administered together.
However, there are significant gaps in our knowledge of melamine and its effect on our body. The safety / risk assessment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducted were no clear answers. In foodstuffs of infant formula, the FDA concluded that levels of melamine and melamine-related compoundsless than 2.5 parts per million (ppm) are not health problems. "
In the current melamine contamination scandal, but not the acute toxicity that has caused health problems. What makes the sick child has chronic or subchronic toxicity. Called also increases the toxicity of melamine in combination with another compound cyanuric acid. Cyanuric acid is virtually non-toxic food additives present in animal feed and water disinfectants. Human exposure to acid cyanoticpossible to pool water, drinking water and fish. The combination of these two compounds can lead to acute toxicity, the melamine, a toxic substance in the form of insoluble crystals, which then form in vital organs, the kidney accumulated mainly produces crystal stones or kidney stones that block kidney tubules.
It is speculated that the melamine producers mixed in milk formulas the protein content of their products increase. The food will be testedfor protein content by measuring nitrogen content. Considering the chemical composition of melamine, we see that it has high content of nitrogen.
This is not the first time that melamine deliberately used as an enhancer of protein, although this is far more deadly. In 2007, many dogs and cats died from kidney failure due to the formation of crystals or kidney stones kidney. The cause for the renal toxicity was found melamine in the feed below.Melamine-cyanuric acid cocrystals were found in the kidneys of animals and the case was the well-known. And 'therefore very unlikely that the authors of the contaminated milk powder suitable unaware of the dangers of melamine consumption.
But this year's melamine scandal has been more shocking than last year because they have killed children and children affected. The following is a summary of events.
September 2008 - Fourteen children in the Chinese province of Gansu was reported to sufferof kidney stones, a very rare event in young children. The suspected cause was drinking the milk powder. More and more cases of sick children have been reported in China. The milk powder in question was produced by the Sanlu Group.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a health information advisory on infant nutrition. The advisory council "is to assure the American public that he had not known the threat of contamination in infant formula companiesthat meets the requirements to sell powdered milk in the United States ... The following manufacturers have met the FDA requirements for infant formula milk marketing in the United States. Abbott Nutritionals, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Nestle USA, PBM Nutritionals and Solus Products LLC "
The director of the Chinese general authority of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has stepped down as investigations have shown that contamination with melaminefairly widespread. Tests have shown that dairy products were contaminated with up to 22 producers of milk with melamine.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has updated the advice of a list of contaminated products made in Taiwan also to expose Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products.
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority found melamine in White Rabbit Creamy Candies China sweet.
The British manufacturer of chocolate Cadbury recalled its Chinese-made products, according to the chocolate from his BeijingFactory tested positive for melamine, according to the report of the International Herald Tribune.
October 2008 - The widespread problem in Europe. Chinese candy contaminated with melamine have been found in an Asian supermarket in Germany. There have also been reports of contaminated food in Belgium and the Netherlands. The U.S. FDA detected melamine in beverages Blue Cat Flavor.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) warned against consumption of Sherwood Brands Pirate GoldMilk chocolate coins, which tested positive for melamine. It was unclear how the contamination occurred.
The number of sick children has risen to tens of thousands. Eighty percent of those affected were under the age of 2 Four fatal cases. It also reminds us, not only in milk powder from China, but also liquid milk produced in recent months.
Hong Kong found excessive amounts of melamine in eggs from China. Officials suspect the contaminationcame from the melamine in feed for chickens. Have ordered testing of all feed and poultry products from the mainland. "Hong Kong has imposed a limit on melamine use in foods, restricting it does not appear to be no more than 2.5 milligrams per kilogram. Melamine in foods intended for children under three and lactating mothers is higher than one mg per kg," according to the BBC.
November 2008 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a nationwide alert warning for Chinese imports and the food and foundTraces of melamine in baby formula is an American manufacturer. The supervisory authority of the alleged contamination was a coincidence, but not go into details.
December 2008 - Food Standards Australia and New Zealand have given a list of products contaminated with melamine.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has sought to reassure the American public and American produced formulas are safe from contamination. "To date, the FDA testing of extremely low levels of melamine in a sample of infant formula and found it extremelylow cyanuric acid in another. The levels were so low (less than 1 ppm) that does not represent a health risk for infants. "The FDA test results are published on the domestic infant formula. Good Start Supreme Infant Formula with Iron Nestle contain small amounts of melamine. Cyanotic acid was also found in a sort of Mead Johnson Enfamil by the manufacturer.
By the Chinese health authorities are trying to recover and repair the damage caused byThe arrests of those responsible. In developing countries do, but that does not have the means to import, to test products, there is a danger to landfill of contaminated products.
The best strategy is to simply avoid melamine at all costs. Consumers should buy on what they consume and to be particularly large quantities of products consumed by children in the alert. Among dairy products, chocolates, cakes and biscuits.
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