History Mystery
What was the first pesticide ever used?
Sulfur, from the Sumerians!
What are the three toxic metals?
Lead, mercury, and cadmium
What insecticide is mentioned in "Silent Spring?"
DDT
What are the three halogens that create toxins?
Chlorine, bromine, and fluorine
How does Kow affect bioaccumulation and biomagnification?
High Kow means it accumulates in fatty tissues, which causes biomagnification in food chain
Name the two pesticides used in the 1800s.
Arsenic and copper sulphate.
What toxic metal is released during gold mining?
Mercury
What are the two ways DDT affects the body?
They block Na channels and affect Ca channels/ATPase process
What contaminate group cause "Cattlegate?"
Polybrominated contaminates
What are polyaromatic hydrocarbons?
Also called polycyclic, they are organic toxins with two or more benzene rings
What is a phytotoxin?
Chemicals that plants make to deter herbivores
How does burning coal create acid rain?
It releases lots of CO2, which changes the water pH.
Why are organophosphates and carbamates better?
They degrade fast, have low Kow, and are pretty safe to mammals and birds
What are some common properties of halogenated organic contaminates?
Long half life, synthetic, persistant organic pollutants (POPs)
What are some effluents from the paper industry?
Wood fibers, bleaches like ClO2, acids like H2S
Name the three phytotoxin groups?
Terpenes, Phenolics, Alkaloids
What does lead mimic in the body?
Calcium, which affects bones and brain
Name two groups of botanical insecticides... (Hint: PRTGG)
Pyrethoids, Rotenone, Triazines, Glyohosate, Glufosinate
What are conengers?
Compounds with similar chemical make-ups
How do surfactants work in detergent?
One end is hydrophilic (sticks to water), and one end is lipophilic (sticks to dirt).
Who wrote "Silent Spring" and why?
Rachel Carson, to inform the public on the hazards of chemical pesticides like DDT.
Which heavy metal causes "Itai Itai" disease?
Cadmium
Give an example of an alkaloid phytotoxin.
Caffine, nicotine, cocaine, etc
Where might we encounter PFAS chemicals on a daily basis?
Teflon cookware, or anything non-stick or waterproof
What does sewage effluent do to the environment?
Eutrophication, hypoxia (dead zone with no oxygen), bacteria and harmful microorganisms