Author Archives: Dawn shum

Is e-cigarette really SAFER than traditional cigarette?

Posted on November 11, 2016 | 3 comments
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 01: In this photo illustration a man smokes on August 1, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. In a plan announced today, the government will increase the excise on tobacco by 12.5 per cent annually over the next four years, raising over AUD$5 billion. The hike is estimated to increase the cost of cigarettes by AUD$5 by 2016, and is the first increase in the tobacco excise since 2010. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Figure 1: An image of smoking taditional cigarettes. Author: Cameron Spencer from Getty Images. Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/26/cigarette-smoking-decline_n_6855468.html

Smoking tobacco is commonly known to pose negative health effects to both smokers, and non-smokers as non-smokers receive second-hand smoke.  Overexposure to tobacco-smoke can cause cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases (1), which increase mortality. Statistically, there is one out of five deaths in the United States caused by smoking cigarettes (1). However, manufacturers claim these statistics do not apply to electronic cigarette or also known as e-cigarette.

e-cig

Figure 2: An image of smoking e-cigarettes. Author: Kenzo Tribouillard. Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/aug/13/health-bosses-promote-e-cigarettes-harmful-tobacco-smoking-experts

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices, which heats a chemical mixture inside a  cartridge to produce tiny airborne particles called aerosol vapour (2). Users inhale the aerosol vapour for nicotine-intake, which nicotine is a highly-addictive chemical found in conventional cigarette. However, the difference between traditional cigarette and e-cigarette is the latter does not burn tobacco (3). The reason why e-cigarettes has become a popular alternative to traditional cigarette is because there are different flavors of vapours are produced, such as candy and fruit flavors, that appeal adolescences. Also, manufactures claim e-cigarettes are “safer” than traditional cigarettes because they deliver nicotine without burning tobacco (2). However, is e-cigarette truly a safer alternative? Or do e-cigarettes exposes someone to a toxic level of nicotine-intake?

350-inline-1-vaping

Figure 3: The statistic showing the percertage of high-school students using tobacco-containing product from 2011 to 2015. Author: T. Singh et al. Source: https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/teen-vaping-soars-past-cigarette-use

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tushar Singh, an officer in the department of smoking and health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, reports the use of e-cigarettes by high-school students increased from an estimated 2% in 2011 to 16% in 2015 (4). Comparing to the statistic for regular cigarette use by high school students, it has dropped from an approximate of 15% in 2011 to 10% in 2015 (4). These statistics show an increasing trend in e-cigarettes use, and a decreasing trend in traditional cigarette use. One reason why there is a rising tendency for teenagers to start smoking e-cigarettes is because they perceive vaping as a harmless behavior relative to the use of regular cigarettes. Also, they can easily purchase vaping supplies through online stores without a substantial hindrance (4). Some researchers suggest that some types of e-cigarettes contain a harmful amount of nicotine that is capable of killing an adult (4). Therefore, a prevalence of e-cigarette use in teenagers means there are more teenagers susceptible to nicotine addiction. To eradicate the e-cigarette culture among teenagers, the government should strictly regulate how e-cigarette producers are sold, and how e-cigarettes are advertised.

In my opinion, more research should be done on health effects associated with e-cigarettes. It may be true that e-cigarettes are considered a safer alternative of traditional cigarettes. However, the health risks related to long term usage of e-cigarettes are still unknown. Rules or laws should be strictly enforced to regulate the online stores from selling cigarettes to underage people.

YouTube Preview Image

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tobacco-related mortality. https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/dangerous-rise-electronic-cigarettes (accessed on Nov 10th, 2016).
  2. Science News for Students. Science & Society: The dangerous rise of e-cigarettes . https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/dangerous-rise-electronic-cigarettes (accessed on Nov 10th, 2016).
  3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Drug Facts: Electronic Cigarettes. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes (accessed on Nov 10th, 2016).
  4. Science News for Students. Behaviour, Science and Society: Teen vaping soars past cigarette use. https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/teen-vaping-soars-past-cigarette-use (accessed on Nov 10th, 2016).

3 Comments

Posted in uncategorized

Tagged , , , ,

Is antibacterial soap really effective or just risky?

Posted on October 24, 2016 | 2 comments
gettyimages-457413239-1024x683

Figure 1: Common Antibacterial soap sold at grocery stores. Author: Joe Raedle from Getty Images. Source: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/antibacterial-soap-may-harm-good-fda-says/

If consumers are given the choice of plain soap or antibacterial soap, the majority of the consumers would prefer to purchase antibacterial soap. It is because antibacterial soap is known to control the spread of germs. However, antibacterial soaps will soon no longer be found in grocery stores in the United States. The U.S Food and Drug association (FDA) has officially banned 19 soap ingredients that are known to be the “germ killers” (1). However, Jane Woodcock, the director of FDA’s Centre for Drug Evaluation and Research, claims there is no supportive evidence that antibacterial soap is more effective in killing germs than plain soap and water (1).

Blaise Boles, a microbiologist from the University of Michigan, conducted a study showing triclosan(2), an ingredient commonly found in antibacterial soaps, increases the risk of people getting staph infection (4). Staph infection is caused by staphylococcus bacteria that can be found in the nose or on the skin of an individual (4) Boles and his colleagues swabbed 90 people’s noses to collect samples. The results showed 37 people had triclosan present in their nasal secretions, and 64% of these people were infected with staph(3). The researchers were surprised by the findings of the study because triclosan is previously acknowledged to reduce bacteria contamination. FDA expresses their concerns over the health risks associated with long-term use of antibacterial soaps. The chance of one getting pneumonia increases when they are infected with staph.

There are not many studies showing triclosan-resistant bacteria poses any major health risks to consumers. However, FDA decides to ban retail stores from selling antibacterial soaps to the general public in U.S unless the manufacturers can provide supportive evidence that antibacterial soap is capable of killing bacteria. The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) instructs citizens to scrub their hands with plain soap for at least 20 seconds before washing under running water (5). An alternative way to reduce the spread of germs and avoid getting sick is using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol (5).

The take home message is that antibacterial soap does not necessary halt the spread of germs more effectively than regular soap. As long as the general public uses the regular soap to wash their hands as instructed by CDC, the regular soap can also reduce the spread of germs. Therefore, the consumers do not have to spend a dollar or more on purchasing the antibacterial soap.

YouTube Preview Image

The following video shows the proper way of washing hands:

YouTube Preview Image

References:

  1. Science News for Students. Science & Society, Microbes: U.S. to outlaw antibacterial soaps. https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/us-outlaw-antibacterial-soaps (accessed on Oct 22nd, 2016).
  2. David Suzuki Foundation. Triclosan. http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—triclosan/ (accessed on Oct 23rd, 2016).
  3. MOLE, B. (2014). Body & brain: Triclosan aids nasal invasions by staph: Antimicrobial compound may help bacteria stick around. Science News, 185(10), 12. doi:10.1002/scin.5591851011
  4. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Disease and Conditions: Staph infections. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/staph-infections/basics/definition/con-20031418 (accessed on Oct 24th, 2016).
  5. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Hand washing: Clean Hands Save Lives. http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html (accessed on Oct 22nd, 2016).

Photo source:

  1. Copyright information: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/antibacterial-soap-may-harm-good-fda-says/

2 Comments

Posted in chemistry in the news, chemistry publishing, frontiers of chemistry

Tagged , , , , ,

Zika Virus impairs Infant’s brain development

Posted on October 3, 2016 | 2 comments

What is Zika? Zika is a virus passed by a bite of an infected yellow fever mosquito  (1). Adults infected with Zika virus can develop several symptoms. For instance, headache, rash, fever, red eyes and muscle pain. Indeed, not only adults can be infected by the Zika virus. Pregnant women infected with Zika virus can also pass it down to their fetus.

Joseph Gleeson,a neuroscientist from Rockefeller Univeristy in New York City,  suggested infants infected with Zika virus are very likely to be born with abnormally small heads called microcephaly (4). A group of researchers conducted an experiment to understand how Zika virus caused impairment in cerebral cortical development, an area of the brain associated with the function of thoughts and actions. First, the researchers infected both neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and mature cortical neurons with Zika virus (2). Neural progenitor cells, like stem cells, that are capable of differentiating into neural cells (3). While, cortical neurons are nerve cells found in the largest region of the brain that is responsible for the complex activities, such as thoughts, perceptions, voluntary movements and more (3). The experimental results showed there were more cell deaths in infected NPCs than mature cortical neurons. Thus, the scientists claimed the results provide a plausible pathway showing how fetus’s brain is infected by Zika virus.

Figure 1: The comparison of infant's head size without Zika virus versus with Zika virus

Figure 1: The comparison of infant’s normal head size to an infant infected with Zika virus. Author: Tani Source: Picture uploaded by original photographer

zika-map

Figure 2: The map showing the spread of Zika virus. Author: Lizzie Dearden; Source: Picture uploaded by original photographer

Zika virus has been reported to be an alarming issue in Brazil, Mexico, some areas in the United States and more (1). At this stage, there is no cure or vaccine to treat Zika virus. However, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants regularly can minimize the chance of getting bitten by a Zika-infected mosquito. In addition, carry insect repellent all the time is another way to avoid getting infected with Zika virus. It is strongly encouraged to consult the doctor for advice if an expectant mother is infected with Zika virus. Lastly, try to avoid traveling to areas reported with active Zika virus transmission.

YouTube Preview Image

References:

1. U.S Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Zika Virus. https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/overview.html (accessed on Oct 2nd, 2016).

2.Miner, J.J & Diamond, M.S. Cell Stem Cell: Understanding How Zika Virus Enters and Infects Neural Target Cells. Science Direct. 2016, 18, 559-560.

3. Nature. Neural progenitors. http://www.nature.com/subjects/neural-progenitors (accessed on Oct 2nd, 2016).

4. Society for Science and the Public. Brain Health: Zika can damage the brains of even adults. https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/zika-can-damage-brains-even-adults (accessed on Oct 2nd, 2016).

Photo source:

1. Copyright information: http://pregnancywellnesstips.com/pregnancy-wellness-symptoms-prevention-treatment-of-zika-virus-during-pregnancy/

2. Copyright information: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/zika-virus-uk-america-europe-symptoms-cure-pregnant-women-microcephaly-a6851126.html

2 Comments

Posted in chemistry in the news, chemistry publishing, frontiers of chemistry

Tagged , ,