Introduction
The extent to which a given substance can destroy an organism or part of the organism is known as toxicity. A substance can harm an entire organism, an organ, or a cell. The effects of a substance on an organism are usually dependent on the dose taken, this is because everything is poisonous if taken in massive amounts. Toxins are classified as chemical, biological and physical (Davenport and Weatherspoon, 1999, p.7)
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that exists in various forms mainly vitamin D2 and D3. The chemical formula for Vitamin D is C28H440 for vitamin D2 and C27H440 for vitamin D3. Vitamin D toxicity occurs when the concentration of serum in blood D 25(OH) D rises to very high levels.
The LD50 for vitamin D has been found to be 42 mg/kg in rats, 42.5 mg/kg in the mouse, and 80 mg/kg in dogs. As far as the dose-response curve is concerned, the toxicity threshold level for vitamin D is 200-250 mg/nmol/L (500-750 nmoI/l) while the upper limit is 100 mg/L (250 nmoI/L). This leaves a safe margin of 100 mg/L (250 nmoI/L). The curve takes a sigmoid shape
The NOAEL is the upper limit which courses no adverse effects and for vitamin D it is 100 mg/L (250 nmoI/L). The toxic dose for vitamin D is a consumption of more than 4000 IU (1000mcg) per day. It is recommended that vitamin D be taken in doses of less than 4000 IU (1000 mcg) per day. The acceptable allowance is the safe margin between the upper limit and the threshold which is 100 mg/L (250 nmoI/L).
Vitamin D toxicity causes excess calcium in urine and blood. The body controls vitamin D intake from the sun hence toxicity comes from food supplements. Detoxification entails taking in less calcium and avoiding very hot sunshine. (Dowd and Stafford, 2008, p.57)
Round up glyphosate
This is a form of herbicide used to kill weeds. The LD50 of this herbicide is over 5000mg/kg in rats and rabbits. The chemical formula of round-up glyphosate is C3H8NO5P. The response curve is a sigmoid shape. The lethal dose for this herbicide is about three cups of nasty bitter round-up. The NOAEL is 6.4 (Harte, 1991, p.323)
This is a poisonous substance and hence it is not recommended for daily intake. This chemical affects body weight and male fertility in animals. The target organ is the male reproductive system. Heterologous genes are used to detoxify it from the soil. This simply entails introducing a foreign gene in the crop to detoxify round-up glyphosphate from the soil.
Nicotine
This is a natural plant-based insecticide. The chemical formula for nicotine is C10H14N2. The LD50 for nicotine is 50kg/mg in the rat. The lethal dose for nicotine in humans is 0.9 mg/kg but that of dogs is 9.2 mg/kg. In pigeons, the lethal dose is 75 mg/kg. (Yamamoto and Cassia P. 3).
NOAEL 1.14 mg/kg per day. This is a powerful insecticide and hence should not be taken in. nicotine insecticide affects the body arteries.
Sodium nitrate
This is a food preservative commonly used in preserving meat. The chemical formula is NaNO3. The lethal dose for sodium nitrate is 22mg/kg.
The LD50 in rats is 1267 mg/kg. Sodium nitrate may damage human blood, if ingested it’s dangerous, damage the skin in case of close contact and irritates if inhaled. (Taylor, 2001, p.203) The response curve for this substance is a sigmoid shape. A daily intake of 0-0.5 mg/kg daily is a safe range. Sodium nitrates can be removed from the body by fasting. The NOAEL is 1820 mg/kg BW/day.
Conclusion
Toxins are dangerous to any living organism, and any chemical or substance if taken in large quantities become poisonous. It’s recommended that whatever substance is taken in should be in the right quantities to avoid harming the body.
Reference list
Davenport, M, G and Weatherspoon, p. 1999. Working with toxic older Adults. New York Springer publishing company.
Dowd, J. and Stafford, D. 2008. The vitamin D cure. New Jersey: Wiley Publications.
Harte, J. 1991. Toxics A-Z. Los Angeles: University of California press.
Taylor, R, E. 2001, lethal mist, New York: Nova science publishers.
Yamamoto, I. and Casida E, C.nicotinoids insecticides and the nicositinic acetylcholine receptor. Hong Kong: Sprinter vegar publishers.