Welcome to the World of Toxic Substances

Hello and welcome to my very own toxic substances blog! I greatly enjoyed creating this blog and I am hopeful that you will find the knowledge as intriguing as I did. This blog showcases a few of my favorite toxins from various sources such as….

DDT (Analogs)

DDT is a famous insecticide that found popularity around the mid 1900’s where it was used to help prevent the spread of malaria and other insect carrying diseases. DDT was revolutionary in the fact that it not only helped troops during World War 2, but also the people of Africa as they continue to deal with vector-borne disease. This toxic substance was of interest to me as insecticides such as DDT are thought to be larger factors in neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

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Arsenic

Arsenic is surprisingly a very abundant metal that can be found in the Earth’s curst. Arsenic is a big contributor to toxicity through drinking water as it is estimated to effect over a 100 million people in over 50 countries. Arsenic is not an essential element although some research may point to trace amounts being beneficial for mammals. This toxic substance was of importance to me as its toxicity is a prominent problem worldwide yet there seems to be little awareness of it.

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Ethylene Glycol

Ethylene glycol is well-known as the primary ingredient in anti-freeze. It has many uses ranging from hydraulic brake fluid to the manufacture of polyester fibers. Ethylene glycol is responsible for hundreds of suicide attempts every year due to its ease of access. I chose this toxic substance due to its widespread use and properties. You grow up learning about antifreeze and the warnings behind it, but to actually delve in to the mechanism behind it was very beneficial.

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The Brown Recluse

The Brown Recluse is the most toxic arachnid in the United States. It can be predominantly found in the southern states and is known for its violin pattern on its cephalothorax. It is commonly mistaken for various other spiders and is usually non-aggressive. What interested me so much about this toxic arachnid was the fact that there is no antivenom for it even though it is the most toxic spider in the United States.

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