5 ms·

What are the poisons of today that we allow? I general, from what I've gathered, we have been replacing substances that accumulates in nature with substances t

by jonex 9y ago

What are the poisons of today that we allow? I general, from what I've gathered, we have been replacing substances that accumulates in nature with substances that breaks down over time. So for instance, we still do allow ozone but also watch the levels to ensure they aren't too high. I know there are issues with a lot of medication as it goes out in the sewage and there's still a big question mark on the safety of some modern materials such as nano particles. However, the overall the feeling I get is that the awareness of the dangers with allowing use of poisonous substances is a lot higher today than before. I'm interested in hearing about the exceptions.

nothrabannosir 9y ago
In the case of exhaust fumes in particular: Nitrogen oxides.
- Angostura 9y ago
  Though to be fair, the latest EU standards demand diesels have ‘Ad blu’ tanks that add Urea to the catalytic converts, mitigating most NOx emissions. So at least we are doing something about it.
  - jakobegger 9y ago
    But it’s no good when manufacturers program their cars to inject too little urea, or turn urea injection off on the highway, etc.
Knufen 9y ago
Read up on BPA, drinking from plastic bottles and other endocrine disruptors we still allow in our food supply. As a side note, a lot of people think more quantity = more poisonous. This is not always the case as a small amount can mimic a hormone wrecking our hormone levels over time.
- alexandercrohde 9y ago
  BPA and other xenoestrogens scare me the most. Men's sperm counts have gone down 50% in the last 30 years, nobody knows why, but the estrogens in our products/water/air aren't out of the question. It's scary how little it scares everyone else.
  - devocracy 9y ago
    With an ever expanding world population, possibly on the verge of unsustainable, would a plummeting birth rate necessary be a bad thing? Sure it would mean redesigning how we see the world (the retirement and economic models), but we can either tackle it now or when it's forced upon us.
    - TheAdamAndChe 9y ago
      Well if the only effect was a plummeting birth rate, then maybe it wouldn't be bad, but it's also been testosterone levels that have dropped considerably[1], which according to that site "[decreased testosterone] is often associated with diabetes, abdominal obesity, sexual dysfunction, depression and other adverse conditions." There have also been increases in those who identify as LGBT[2]. Such massive increases in younger generations can't be explained away by cultural changes IMO. I don't think it's a coincidence that at the same time that exposure to hormonal disruptors has increased, changes in gender and drops in testosterone have been found. [1] https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/hormone-therapy/news/print/endocrine-today/%7Bac23497d-f1ed-4278-bbd2-92bb1e552e3a%7D/generational-decline-in-testosterone-levels-observed https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/hormone-therapy/news/pr... [2] http://news.gallup.com/poll/201731/lgbt-identification-rises.aspx http://news.gallup.com/poll/201731/lgbt-identification-rises...
      - alexandercrohde 9y ago
        Though this topic is incredibly sensitive, it needs to be considered. On a somewhat related note, boys who are prenatally exposed DES (a strong estrogen) while pregnant are significantly more likely to be transgender. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diethylstilbestrol https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diethylstilbestrol [See Des Sons]
starsinspace 9y ago
Time will tell, but maybe microplastic. WHO just started a review on the topic: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/15/microplastics-found-in-more-than-90-of-bottled-water-study-says https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/15/micropla...
nico_h 9y ago
long-chain perfluorinated chemicals (C8 , involved in the production of teflon) see https://theintercept.com/2015/08/11/dupont-chemistry-deception/ https://theintercept.com/2015/08/11/dupont-chemistry-decepti... Nictonoides in general (pesticides) are poisons, which we don't ingest directly but still spew in the environment. A poison we monitor and accumulates in the environment but don't regulate to the level it deserve given the damage it causes is of course CO2, as well as the other greenhouse gases (SO2, NOx etc... as produced by ships and planes).
- aaron_m04 9y ago
  It's inaccurate and misleading to call CO2 a poison in the context of climate change. Yes, it's a poison at high concentrations (as is just about everything), but the concentration required to cause climate change is way lower.
Erlangolem 9y ago
Nanoparticles of soot, magnetite, and other industrial atmospheric pollutants. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/09/industrial-air-pollution-leaves-magnetic-waste-brain https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/09/industrial-air-pollu... We already accept the impact of millions a year dying as a result of industrial pollution, especially from burning coal; we mostly shrug and move on. VOC’s, microplastic, nanoparticles such as TiO2, a lot of the crap in cosmetics, and probably a lot more.
- thfaway 9y ago
  >We already accept the impact of millions a year dying as a result of industrial pollution... We accept them because the mainstream narrative does not make a big issue of it. On the other side, we make a big deal when there is a measles death, calling for death of anti-vaxxers, because the mainstream narrative suggests so... In other words, the public, including the people here. is a bunch of morons who won't jump away from the path of a slow moving road roller, unless the mainstream narrative tells us to do so... As for who decides the main stream narrative, I would say the ones with the most resources...
  - tzs 9y ago
    Industrialization has many positive aspects. Its byproducts may lead to some deaths, but they also lead to saved or longer lives for many. There is a decent chance that the positives outweigh the negatives. Measles...it's hard to make a case that the benefits of getting measles outweigh anything.
    - Erlangolem 9y ago
      This is my viewpoint as well, with the additional though that where we can reduce the negative impacts of industrialization, we should. We can definitely do much more to reduce pollution, without giving up the advantages of industry.
bryan11 9y ago
Mercury: Dental amalgams (aka silver fillings) Pesticides and herbicides
spodek 9y ago
Sugar.
BartBoch 9y ago
Probably most common in food industry now: palm oil.

by jonex 9y ago

nothrabannosir 9y ago

In the case of exhaust fumes in particular: Nitrogen oxides.

Angostura 9y ago
Though to be fair, the latest EU standards demand diesels have ‘Ad blu’ tanks that add Urea to the catalytic converts, mitigating most NOx emissions. So at least we are doing something about it.
- jakobegger 9y ago
  But it’s no good when manufacturers program their cars to inject too little urea, or turn urea injection off on the highway, etc.

Knufen 9y ago

Read up on BPA, drinking from plastic bottles and other endocrine disruptors we still allow in our food supply. As a side note, a lot of people think more quantity = more poisonous. This is not always the case as a small amount can mimic a hormone wrecking our hormone levels over time.

alexandercrohde 9y ago
BPA and other xenoestrogens scare me the most. Men's sperm counts have gone down 50% in the last 30 years, nobody knows why, but the estrogens in our products/water/air aren't out of the question. It's scary how little it scares everyone else.
- devocracy 9y ago
  With an ever expanding world population, possibly on the verge of unsustainable, would a plummeting birth rate necessary be a bad thing? Sure it would mean redesigning how we see the world (the retirement and economic models), but we can either tackle it now or when it's forced upon us.
  - TheAdamAndChe 9y ago
    Well if the only effect was a plummeting birth rate, then maybe it wouldn't be bad, but it's also been testosterone levels that have dropped considerably[1], which according to that site "[decreased testosterone] is often associated with diabetes, abdominal obesity, sexual dysfunction, depression and other adverse conditions." There have also been increases in those who identify as LGBT[2]. Such massive increases in younger generations can't be explained away by cultural changes IMO. I don't think it's a coincidence that at the same time that exposure to hormonal disruptors has increased, changes in gender and drops in testosterone have been found. [1] https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/hormone-therapy/news/print/endocrine-today/%7Bac23497d-f1ed-4278-bbd2-92bb1e552e3a%7D/generational-decline-in-testosterone-levels-observed https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/hormone-therapy/news/pr... [2] http://news.gallup.com/poll/201731/lgbt-identification-rises.aspx http://news.gallup.com/poll/201731/lgbt-identification-rises...
    - alexandercrohde 9y ago
      Though this topic is incredibly sensitive, it needs to be considered. On a somewhat related note, boys who are prenatally exposed DES (a strong estrogen) while pregnant are significantly more likely to be transgender. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diethylstilbestrol https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diethylstilbestrol [See Des Sons]

starsinspace 9y ago

Time will tell, but maybe microplastic. WHO just started a review on the topic: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/15/microplastics-found-in-more-than-90-of-bottled-water-study-says https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/15/micropla...

nico_h 9y ago

long-chain perfluorinated chemicals (C8 , involved in the production of teflon) see https://theintercept.com/2015/08/11/dupont-chemistry-deception/ https://theintercept.com/2015/08/11/dupont-chemistry-decepti... Nictonoides in general (pesticides) are poisons, which we don't ingest directly but still spew in the environment. A poison we monitor and accumulates in the environment but don't regulate to the level it deserve given the damage it causes is of course CO2, as well as the other greenhouse gases (SO2, NOx etc... as produced by ships and planes).

aaron_m04 9y ago
It's inaccurate and misleading to call CO2 a poison in the context of climate change. Yes, it's a poison at high concentrations (as is just about everything), but the concentration required to cause climate change is way lower.

Erlangolem 9y ago

Nanoparticles of soot, magnetite, and other industrial atmospheric pollutants. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/09/industrial-air-pollution-leaves-magnetic-waste-brain https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/09/industrial-air-pollu... We already accept the impact of millions a year dying as a result of industrial pollution, especially from burning coal; we mostly shrug and move on. VOC’s, microplastic, nanoparticles such as TiO2, a lot of the crap in cosmetics, and probably a lot more.

thfaway 9y ago
>We already accept the impact of millions a year dying as a result of industrial pollution... We accept them because the mainstream narrative does not make a big issue of it. On the other side, we make a big deal when there is a measles death, calling for death of anti-vaxxers, because the mainstream narrative suggests so... In other words, the public, including the people here. is a bunch of morons who won't jump away from the path of a slow moving road roller, unless the mainstream narrative tells us to do so... As for who decides the main stream narrative, I would say the ones with the most resources...
- tzs 9y ago
  Industrialization has many positive aspects. Its byproducts may lead to some deaths, but they also lead to saved or longer lives for many. There is a decent chance that the positives outweigh the negatives. Measles...it's hard to make a case that the benefits of getting measles outweigh anything.
  - Erlangolem 9y ago
    This is my viewpoint as well, with the additional though that where we can reduce the negative impacts of industrialization, we should. We can definitely do much more to reduce pollution, without giving up the advantages of industry.

bryan11 9y ago

Mercury: Dental amalgams (aka silver fillings) Pesticides and herbicides

spodek 9y ago

Sugar.

BartBoch 9y ago

Probably most common in food industry now: palm oil.