This was brought to my attention on a site and wanted to post an info
regarding the matter.
Won't list all of this but this is an MSDS sheet (Safety hazard sheet
which has to be put in all labs which revolve with this chemical). Some
points:
Minimum/Potential Fatal Human Dose
3 = MODERATELY TOXIC: PROBABLE ORAL LETHAL DOSE (HUMAN) 0.5-5 G/KG;
BETWEEN 1 OZ & 1 PINT (OR 1 LB) FOR 70 KG PERSON (150 LB). [REF-9,
p.II-406]
Human Toxicity Excerpts
SKIN IRRITANT. MAY PRODUCE REVERSIBLE LIVER CHANGES. [REF-9, p.II-406]
CASES OF CONTACT DERMATITIS DUE TO ADDITIVES IN ANIMAL FEED SUBSTANCES
ARE DESCRIBED OCCURRING IN ANIMAL FEED WORKERS. THERE ARE 2 CASES OF
SENSITIVITY TO ETHOXYQUIN. [REF-19]
Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts
ITS CHRONIC TOXICITY IS APPARENTLY LOW, 0.2% IN DIET CAUSING TRANSIENT
DEPRESSION IN GROWTH RATE OF RATS. AT AUTOPSY, DAMAGE WAS APPARENT IN
KIDNEYS, LIVER & THYROID GLAND IN MANY MALES BUT IN NONE OF FEMALES....
[REF-20, p.286]
/IN RATS FED A DIET CONTAINING 0.2% OF SANTOQUIN/ SOME TUMORS WERE FOUND
AFTER CONTINUOUS ADMIN ... . [REF-20, p.287]
Therapeutic Uses
(VET): Ethoxyquin is added to animal feeds at 0.015% as an antioxidant...
to help prevent encephalomalacia in growing chickens. [QR] [REF-37]
(VET): SANTOQUIN HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY USED WITH VITAMIN E IN TREATMENT
OF WHITE MUSCLE DISEASE IN LAMBS. [QR] [REF-20, p.286]
Vitamin E and also several synthetic antioxidants, such as ...
ethoxyquin, have modified tumor induction by certain carcinogens in a
number of target organs. However, inhibition was achieved at high
doses at which induction of biotransformation enzymes also occurs with
the synthetics and, therefore, inhibition may not be due solely to
antioxidant effects. [REF-38, p.152]
(Note .2 percent to .015% ... this in chemical terms is a HUGE
difference.)
Finally:
FDA Requirements
Ethoxyquin is a food additive permitted for direct addition to food
for human consumption, as long as 1) the quantity added to food does
not exceed the amount reasonably required to accomplish its intended
physical, nutritive, or other technical effect in food, and 2) when
intended for use in or on food it is of appropriate food grade and is
prepared and handled as a food ingredient. [REF-41]
Ethoxyquin in animal feeds may be safely used in accordance with
conditions prescribed in 21 CFR Part 573. [REF-42]
Ethoxyquin in certain dehydrated forage crops may be safely used in
accordance with conditions prescribed in 21 CFR Part 573. [REF-43]
Now going on to some points. Chemicals are added in a whole range of
appications and just because it is used for one application does not
mean that it is the sole use for it, therefore to assume that the product
is "bad" because it is used in another area of "production or science"
is rather faulty. As for the protection, this a standard chemical
process... I work in a lab and I have to use skin and eye protection to
handle baking soda. Also as I saw in the MSDS of this product this would
hardly be considered extremely "hazardous" I would have to still use my
regular protection but its not something I have to be extremely worried
about (and trust me I deal with chemicals 100x worse than this). As for
the crossbones it signifies the compound is toxic but we are dealing with
100+ grams of it as opposed to the very small amounts found in food.
With that in mind I could post a list of chemicals naturally found in
food that would come up with a similar warning label... why? Because it
is a single chemical in large quantities that have that characteristic...
the same as ethoxyquin.
On a final note, everything has to be looked at, at an amount basis.
Even organic foods contain harmful toxic and even carcinogenic chemicals
(inside the fruit not regarding pesticides, bad environmental practices,
etc). However we know that eating an apple will not kill us (well
humans lets exclude our fuzzies ;) ) and the same application has to
be done with every additive and chemical. Yes they may be toxic and
carcinogenic... in large amounts... but in small amounts its safe. I'll
give you an example of the later... I'm sure everyone heard of acrylomide
(sp off maybe) it was known for its toxic effects, effects on the nervous
system if I recall, and finally a carcinogen. Acrylomide is found on any
carb food that is baked with a small surface area and a large temperature
range (aka bread, cereal, french fries). This caused a HUGE scare
because carcinogen = bad well it turns out that the amount, even though
really large has absolutely no effect on humans.
Just a little thought of mind on the topic.
[Posted in FML issue 5177]
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