Persistent Organic Pollutants and Food Allergy Essay

long-lived organic pollutants (POPs) ar compounds humorh cyclic, halogenated and atomic number 18 organic in spirit characteristics that impart st equalness in their structures (Ritter, Solomon, Forget, Stemeroff, and OLeary, 1995). Because of its structural stability, POPs decl ar degradation while its organic nature makes its solubility high in lipide or organic solvent provided low in water and in other inorganic solvents. Additionally, their semi-volatile nature allows them to equal in vapor or be deposited on atmospheric particulates.Food allergy is a upshot of the abnormal retort of the tree trunks resistant organization to fodders that may cause grave nausea and correct death (U. S. subdivision of wellness and tender Services, 2007). It is mistakenly associated with nutrient superstition which is a digestive problem and tush not be attributed to food allergy. In addition, food intolerance is not caused by the action of the immune agreement kind of by the lack of special metabolic enzyme needed in the digestion of a ill-tempered food (U. S. Department of health and world Services, 2007). Individuals with familial allergy background be prone to food allergies and other hypersensitized diseases similar asthma.Meanwhile, the gastrointestinal tract, skin, lungs, throat, and skin are often sites of supersensitive reactions (U. S. Department of wellness and military personnel Services, 2007). Persistent Organic Pollutants Organo-halogenated compounds such(prenominal) as toxaphene, chlordane, dieldrin, dibenzo-p-dioxins, DDT, dibenzo-p-furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are know for their structural stability and environmental persistence, thus, bioaccumulation terminuss as they continuously flow in the bionomical food chain (Ritter, Solomon, Forget, Stemeroff, and OLeary, 1995). As an example, PCBs resist degradation for several geezerhood and biomagnify by 70,000 folds.Since POPs are semi-volatile, they evaporate f rom solid regions and condense in geographical rural areas alike(p) mountain terrains and Polar Regions (California Breast pubic louse Research Program, 2007). These properties permeated PCBs in worldwide prescribes including Antarctic, arctic, and empty regions where chemical plants do not exist. close POPs came from anthropogenic sources like industrial business and foliar applications of pesticides and insecticides while others such as dioxins and furans are just by-products of the manufacturing process, waste incineration, forest fires, and metallurgic processes (Environmental Literacy Council, 2008).As such, the presence of PCBs in furthermost flung places is a manifestation of its worldwide-dispersal from several industrial sources. In fact, fifteen nanograms per cubic clip of PCBs concentration have been analyzed in the atmosphere of industrialized areas and different places over the world (Ritter, Solomon, Forget, Stemeroff, and OLeary, 1995). Thus, the PCBs pres ence in rain and snow would not be a surprise. Exposure to POPs by actor of food consumption, industrial occupation, and pollutants may have to toxicity.POPs lipophilicity or high solubility in lipids in match with its structural stability and biomagnification in the food chain result to high risk of bioaccumulation and toxicity among financial backing organisms. More than these, metabolic conversion of POPs into to a greater extent persistent compounds is also possible. Researches conducted on this guinea pig showed the correlations of PCBs ingestion with the dysfunction of endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems, screwingcer, neurobehavioral disorders and nigh child abnormalities (Ritter, Solomon, Forget, Stemeroff, and OLeary, 1995).Moreover, exposure to POPs has been correlated with a decrease in the people of marine organisms like dolphins, whales, and fish species (Ritter, Solomon, Forget, Stemeroff, and OLeary, 1995). Food Allergy Food allergens are proteins in f oods that after digestion run by means of the blood blow to limited consistence move and instaurations allergic reactions (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2007). supersensitive reactions may take place either at the specific prison cells or within the whole body (Jackson, 2003). The continuance of digestive process determines the possible time and location of the allergic reactions.If one is highly sensitive to substances turn in in food, by merely just chewing the food allergic reaction may abrasion at the mouth. Most of the time stomachache, vomiting, and diarrhea are observe after eating which indicate allergic reactions. After food digestion, food allergens flow through the bloods stream and may trigger blood storm lowering. Nonetheless, reaching the skin, mouth, and lungs, may cause hives, itchiness, and raze smothering (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2007). Antibodies or immunoglobulins are protein substances secreted by B-lymphocy tes to study against antigens or allergens (Jackson, 2003).Antigens are exuded by bacterium or other microorganisms which brings sensible infections. However, the out-of-door production of antibodies may cause complaint (Jackson, 2003). Meanwhile, potential antigens are also present in dust, pollens and foods. By means of precede contact, inhalation or consumption of these antigens, the body generates appropriate antibodies to combat their infectious set up (Jackson, 2003). The immune system has two successive actions leading to allergic reaction. During the digestion of foods, the immune system produces immunoglobulin-E (immunoglobulin E), an antibody which is protein in nature (U. S.Department of Health and Human Services, 2007). Then, IgE adheres with basophils and mast cells find in blood and body tissues respectively. This food-specific antibody educes the cells to elicit chemicals like histamine which in turn produces allergy (U. S. Department of Health and Human Serv ices, 2007). Mechanism of Allergic Reaction The production of allergens signals the action and circulation of IgE through the blood stream to bodily parts. The IgE molecule has a specific site for antigen binding and receptor-specific end for cell attachment. Then, the IgE attracts antigen as it binds on the locate of the cell (Jackson, 2003).As such, the cell is incited by the antigen to generate antibodies. The cell becomes sensitive to the ensuant attacks of the same antigens and autonomic reaction develops. Thus, as the cell detects the presence of the antigen, it educes biologically combat-ready and other proinflammatory substances like histamines and leukotrienes (Jackson, 2003). These substances trigger the inflammatory response of the cell resulting to an change magnitude blood supply and other immune system components on the affected area that can be observed as itching and swelling (Jackson, 2003).Since mast cells and basophils are fixed in different body parts, warm allergic reactions are often observed in some individuals who are highly sensitive with allergies. As a result of allergen absorption and wide circulation of chemical mediators, the body can be systematically draped with allergic reactions (Jackson, 2003). The intestine has defensive barriers that balk the entry and contact of any antigens with the mast cells (Jackson, 2003). Also, the wild sweet pea wall is covered with viscous mucus secreted by the lining cells.This mucus has overprotective substances acting as antiseptic coupled with the help of antibodies. Then, epithelial cells are located below the mucus membrane, which generate enzymes that can deactivate histamine and other bioactive substances (Jackson, 2003). Allergens that may pass across the layer of epithelial cells can be deactivated by antibodies without inflammatory response production. If the antigens were able to escape all these mechanisms, mast cells covered by IgE produce chemical mediators that in turn ca use inflammatory response (Jackson, 2003). ConclusionThe genetic predisposition causes individuals with familial allergic history to become susceptible to allergic reactions as triggered by specific antibody or allergen. As a result, asthma, rhinitis, and even anaphylaxis can be observed wit these individuals (Jackson, 2003). This inborn allergic disposal is called atopy, thus, individuals in this condition are tagged as atopic. On the other hand, contemporary opening on the nature of allergy suggested that the preponderance of allergy-related cases nowadays can be attributed to the contemporary life style (Jackson, 2003).For instance, drug word of a mother during pregnancy and infants medication may render to early acquisition of allergic tendency due to the bodys indecent reaction with drugs (Jackson, 2003). Also, the inhalation of bacteria or other microorganism through air pollutants and other atmospheric particulates that may imply persistent organic pollutants or POPs energise the immune system to produce antibodies then, allergic reactions spontaneously occur.