six classess

1. Highly Fluorinated Chemicals (PFOS, PFOA)

It is found in the materials that are used for oil and water repellency according to the video.  The examples are carpeting, apparel, waxes, food packaging materials, or non-stick cookware.  It was interesting to learn that this chemicals are not found in nature, but only from manufacture, and disposal.  As video explained, first it makes in door air toxic , which would affect out door air as well.     In similar way with other chemicals, it spreads into human from nature.  Fluorinate chemicals are produced by factories and exposure to the furniture and landfill.  Finally human get exposed including infant.  I have no doubt that this would be global issue since we use them for lots of products.  However, do we really need for that much products?  As video suggested, I think we can decrease the use of this chemicals for various products.  Especially we know this chemical can cause health problems such as thyroid disease, sexual hormonal imbalance.  Therefore, it is significant to find the alternative chemicals, which harm less than PFOS and PFOA.  Unfortunately, there are not many datas for the alternative chemicals. As a public health provider, we should support research for alternatives.

2. Antimicrobials
Triclosan and Triclocarban (TCC) are antimicrobials as we took classes about it earlier in the semester.  In similar with highly fluorinated chemicals above, it is toxic, widespread exposed and vulnerable for young children.  Although the toxicity of antimicrobials has been know for many years, we still use many products that contain antimicrobials.  Especially, people who work in the hospital use disinfectant frequently, which contain antimicrobials.  Most of time, we can use soap and water instead of disinfectant.  As video mentioned, we need to know that there is "no proven benefit over hand washing with soap and water".
It was interesting to see the graph of 'Rapid uptake during a short shower'.  It was the opposite than I expected.  The short shower leads us to be exposed in high rate of TCC.  This would be due to rinsing the chemicals from water for a longer time.  I would not use antimicrobial product when I have kids since I learned that it cause endocrine disruption and increases allergy.  
It is interesting to know that many people have false belief about the chemicals.  Fortunately, more research support against to antimicrobials.

3. Flame Retardants
The products that contain fame retardants has been used a long time ago in electronics, building insulation, polyurethane foam and wire.  However, in 1972, it was found in the baby's sleep wear and children's urine.  At that time, they didn't research the harmful effect of flame retardants.  While they conducted the research about effect of flame retardants in particular of children' pajama, they started to notice the danger of this chemicals, which causes the death in animals and babies.  In particular, pregnant women can easily pass to the baby via placenta and breastfeeding.  The reason people used flame retardant was the benefit of withstand of flame. However, recent research showed no evidence of benefit from flame retardants.  Fortunately, several new policies to limit this chemicals were set up later in California.  However, the furnitures that were made before Jan 1, 2014, still contain this chemical.  Therefore, consumers should ensure the furniture they bought does not contain it.  Also, we should still ask when we buy new furniture if that contain the chemicals or not.  

4. Bisphenols and Phthalates
This chemicals cause endocrine disruption mentioned several times by above chemicals. This is an "exogenous chemicals, or mixture of chemicals, that can interfere with any aspect of hormone action." Since they are widely used in plastic, we can find them almost everywhere in foods, water, soil and air.  There are 3 reasons why need to be concerned by them.  First, it effects on very low concentrations. Second, it effects permanently in prenatal and early childhood exposure. Lastly, it effects on multiple generations.  In particularly, Bisphenol A is used in hard plastics, which is resistant to heat.  The examples of this are flame retardants, which I just talked about, and thermal cash register receipt paper.  People can easily get it hand to mouth behavior.  The effects on human's health are similar with other chemicals I talked above.  These are reproductive, thyroid, and immune metabolic system.  Also, it causes neurodevelopment, or asthma in childhood.  The important fact we need emphasize about this chemical is that small amount is very effective to cause the problems in particular young children.   Good thing is that the U.S government banned the baby bottle and sippy cup in 2012 as well as food packaging and receipt paper.  In many other development countries, it has been banned too.  I am curious how the government of my country(South Korea) reacts on this.
Regarding Phthalate, it is used for making plastic softer and more flexible.  Also, it used in fragrance to last longer.  It is good to let people know that Phthalate is used in last long fragrance since they tend to buy fragrance that last longer.  This is also easily taken by human like Bisphenols.  This is also banned by the U.S government.  Especially, toys that children play is in high risk for exposure. We need to consider to use alternative products such as glasses or stainless steel.  After learning of the truth of the bottled water, I use more tapped water! Also I learned that I should avoid to have receipt if I don't need.   The U.S government should set the specific law for labeling to BPA and phthalates.  I suggest to educate to read the label property before purchasing the products.    


5. Organic Solvents
The basic function of solvent is used in 4 different part.  These are the dissolved materials, carrier solvents, cleaning and stripping, and mixing medium.  There are 2 kinds under hydrocarbon solvent, which are aliphatic organic solvents and aromatic organic solvents.  Regarding the aliphatic organic solvents, we can find this in painting or coating.  Regarding the aromatic organic solvents, it also found in printing or adhesive. There are also 2 kinds under chlorinated solvents, which are methylene chloride and perchloroethylene.  Next category is called oxygenated solvents, which are more familiar to me.  These are ethyl acute, acetone, and alcohols.  Since it is used in personal care products, it is widely spread. The last category is water, which is organic solvent in nature. However, the water can't dissolve something, so we use other solvents more.  The health effects from this chemicals are similar above chemicals except for contact dermatitis.  In the opposite to flame retardants, it is flammable.  Human mainly absorb the organic solvent by inhaling.  In reality, we cannot avoid organic solvents, but we can reduce by using alternative products. For example, the products based on water is good option.  Again, the government should regulate stronger to limit the selling in the market.  

6. Certain Metals
As video mentioned, we need metals for our lives.  However, some of the metals such as lead cause serious health effects on animal and human.  Lead, arseni, and mercury are example of metals we concern.  These heavy metal can affect us even with small amount of dosage.  It can be acute or long-term deepening on the time exposed.  The video reminded me how the metal interacts with our body. For example, lead attaches to red blood cells and replaces calciums in bones.  In addition, it gets stored in muscle tissue as long term effect.  As we learned in the previous class, it is recommended to check the level of metals in our bodies.  In particular, it is significant for the babies and the young due to neurologic problems.  I learned that there are 2 different categories of products; intentional and non-intentional. Regarding intentional products, it was good to know that we get the metals via tattoo or certain baby's toy such as rubber duck.  I remember I bought that toy for my nephew long time ago and now feel guilty.   For unintentional products, I did n't expect the mascara. I don't remember to read the label for this on the mascara.  Unfortunately, we cannot eliminate them from us as video explained.  However, I hope we can reduce the amount we get exposed by more strict law that ban the use of highly toxic metals and by inventing alternative metals.  Lastly, we need to get educated how to dispose in proper way.