Flouride in Tap Water

Early this week, I received a call from a friend inquiring about fluoridation in the Philippine water system.   I’ve read that fluoride was introduced to the water systems across America to promote healthy teeth.

I’ve asked one of my cuz’s who is actually in one of the our water utility firm and he said that addition of fluoride to our tap water is not being practiced in the Philippines.  In some parts of the country it was found that fluoride is naturally present at high levels.

So why should we be concerned about fluoride in our tap water?

Fluoride may be beneficial to our teeth as it prevents tooth decay.  But the risks involved in having too much fluoride outweigh the benefits to health which results when it is ingested.

Effect on the  brain.. Studies of the National Research Council (NRC) reveal that fluorides increase the production of free radicals in the brain through several different biological pathways. These changes have a bearing on the possibility that fluorides act to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Effect on the endocrine function.. According to the NRC, evidence of several types indicates that fluoride affects normal endocrine function or response; the effects of the fluoride-induced changes vary in degree and kind in different individuals. Fluoride alters normal endocrine function or response.

Effect on the kidney... According to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS),  results of a research study conducted by a team of researchers at Tongji Medical College in China, suggests that fluoride exposure – at levels currently deemed safe by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – can damage both kidney and liver function in children.

More on the health effect of fluoride, click here.

With all this studies conducted on the adverse effects of fluoride on drinking water,  the US Environmental Protection Agency decided to raise the standard for fluoride to 4mg/L, while the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water pegged fluoride at a maximum level of 1mg/L.  Hmmm… is this safe enough?

No Business Sense

Early this month, I have had the privilege to attend a Laboratory Assessors’ Training for assessors, technical assessors and technical experts.  Discussed were qualifications, evaluation of corrective actions and related practical exercises.  Our speaker was a technical expert on laboratory assessment from Germany.

In one of our exercises, he posted us with a challenge on HOW TO SURVIVE IN A COMPETITION MARKET WITH ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS.

We were divided into small groups to brainstorm on the topic.  After some unrestrained and spontaneous participation in the discussion, we scrutinized our output.  Most of us dwell on the management and technical issues such us getting accreditation, training the staff, benchmarking other laboratories, advertising our services, joining proficiency testings, etc. Wow name it, we have thought of all things possible.

What our speaker impressed upon us though was that most of us, technical person that we are, have no business sense.  Only a few suggested solutions like getting a bank loan, intensifying marketing, having alliance with other laboratories, getting some dummy personnel, closing the testing laboratory and do consultancy instead, etc.

Do technical people really have no business sense?  Coz’ that’s what I noticed too from among my circles of friends. Except for a few, those who are technical neglect the financial side of the business.  Others, I mean the non-technical ones, however, have thought instead of profits and practicality.   Now this calls for some reflections.

Plastic Talk

I have recently read a blog item about men seeking for a processor able to provide molded or thermoformed biodegradable containers that are readily printable and offer some degree of resistance to water, but which degrade under backyard compost piles—so that there is no need for collection and shipping to an industrial composting facility.

To read the complete blog,  click here.

For this matter, shouldn’t we take a look on our SM plastic bags labeled Biodegradable?

On a related issue, I recall the time when I was still investigating plastics, materials that are used as food and/or drug containers.  Per regulatory standards, the plastic material is exposed to different temperatures and different matrices based on the materials’ intended use.  The leachate is then analyzed for its safety through instrumentation techniques.  On comparison with standards, recommendation is made as to the safety of these materials per intended use.

For more information and related materials on plastics, click here.

Melamine Scare

Melamine has put the world in scare. And as time passes, more countries are investigating the issue , and more and more products aside from milk are found to be contaminated with this chemical.

In the early 2007, veterinary scientists determined it to be the cause of hundreds of pet deaths, because of pet food contamination. Prior to these reports, melamine had been regarded as non-toxic or minimally toxic. However, because of the unexplained presence of melamine in wheat gluten added to mass-produced dog and cat foods, it is the most likely cause. Pet owners report symptoms that are commonly associated with renal failure, which could be explained by the ammonia that may result from the digestion of the melamine. Animal Feed has been reported to have been tainted with Melamine and fed to Hogs & Chickens in the US.  Think it’s time to reflect to on the food and food products that even adults consume.

But why is melamine added to a product?  Especially food products?  Melamine is sometimes illegally added to food products in order to increase the apparent protein content. Standard tests such as the Kjeldahl and Dumas tests estimate protein levels by measuring the nitrogen content, so they can be misled by adding nitrogen-rich compounds such as melamine.  Hmm… Adding some business sense by killing the world.

Just what is melamine?   Melamine is an organic compound that is often combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a synthetic polymer which is fire resistant and heat tolerant. Melamine resin is a very versatile material with a highly stable structure. Uses for melamine include whiteboards, floor tiles, kitchenware, fire retardant fabrics, and commercial filters.  So we see that we have non-consumable products at home made of melamine resin.  Check your dinner plates for example.

Melamine resin is known as a thermoset plastic, because the plastic is fixed after molding. If exposed to enough heat, melamine will melt. For this reason, melamine dishware should not be exposed to high temperatures like those in the oven and microwave. However, the plastic is able to withstand higher temperatures than other plastics.

Melamine is also used in a wide range of flame resistant materials including textiles used in upholstery and the uniforms worn by firemen. Thermal liners, heat resistant gloves, and aprons to protect from splashback of hot substances are made using melamine. Melamine will protect a wearer from heat hazards, and will help to resist the spread of fire in aircraft and buses by providing a fire blocker.

Melanine, if used properly is not really a poison.  At this point of the scare, shouldn’t we think of buying our locally produced goods instead?  We don’t only help our local producers but we do our share in nation building by patronizing what is ours.  Plus of course, most importantly we help protect our lives and that of  our  children.

For more info on melanine,  click here: