Formalin - CH2O -Jeremy

Compound name - Formaldehyde (CH₂O)

Synonyms – Formic aldehyde, methaldehyde, methal aldehyde, oxomethane, oxymethylene, methylene oxide.

Molecular Mass – 30.03 g/mol

Functional Groups - Carbonyl

Common Names - Formalin, BFV, FA, Fannoform, FM 282, Formalin 40, Floguard 1015, Formaith, Formol, FYDE, Hoch, Karsan, Ivalon, Lysoform, Morbicid, Paraform, and Super-lysoform.

Formaldehyde is a chemical compound that is commonly used everywhere from factories to laboratories; and everything in between. At room temperature [22 ºC/72 ºF], it's a colourless, flammable gas that has a pungent smell (Reuss et al., 2003). Its boiling point is -19.1 ºC and has a melting point at -92 ºC. It's soluble in water, ethanol, and chloroform.

Uses

-manufacturing of building materials, mostly used as an adhesive resin;

-fiber board [OSB]

-plywood

-fuel burning appliances

-kerosene space heaters

-Also used for;

-ingredient in some glues

-preservative in medical laboratories, mainly for preserving animal specimens for study and cataloging [although recently, 95% isopropyl rubbing alcohol (C₃H₇OH) has started to replace formalin].

-embalming fluid

-sterilizer

-thought to have been an ingredient in;

-Paper towels

-Photography film

-Shampoo/ conditioner

-lipstick

-deodorant

-tooth paste

-nail polish

-various inks

-wrinkle-free fabrics

Dangers/ Health Risks

While it differs from person to person, certain levels of formaldehyde can cause:

-Asthma attacks

-nausea

-leaky tear ducts [watery eyes]

-burning sensation in eyes

-breathing problems

-headaches

-respiratory irritation/ problems

It should also be noted that according to the DHHS [Department of Health and Human Services], it's anticipated to be a carcinogen and has caused cancer is small animals.

The following video describes Formaldehyde's use in building materials.

References

"Common uses." Formaldehyde Facts. N.p.. Web. 13 May 2013. <http://www.formaldehydefacts.org/applications/common_uses/>.  

"Formaldehyde." Do it yourself. Do it yourself. Web. 13 May 2013. <http://www.doityourself.com/stry/formaldehydeupdate

"Formaldehyde." Formaldehyde. (1981): 1-287. Web. 13 May. 2013. <http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol88/mono88-6.pdf>.

"What is Formaldehyde?." Formaldehyde Testing Lab. EMSL Aalytical, inc.. Web. 13 May 2013. <http://www.formaldehydetesting.com/whatisformaldehyde.html>. 

"Uses for Formaldehyde." Want to know it. Want to know it. Web. 13 May 2013. <http://wanttoknowit.com/uses-of-formaldehyde/>. 

-Jeremy

Sarah - Caffeine

  Caffeine 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl1XBJLfIDU

   

Background Information:

Caffeine has a Molecular Mass of 194 g/mol. Other interesting information is that it has a melting point of 238 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of 178 degrees celsius. Caffeine is and can be a very addicting substance, with both good and bad effects.

Benefits:

Caffeine has many benefits even though some people may want to make you think it is nothing but bad for you.

Caffeine 

- Increases memory

- when taken as an enema it detoxifies the liver and cleanses your colon

- Stimulate hair growth

- Wards off Alzheimer's

- During exercise it can increase your stamina

- Could protect you against cataracts

- Ease depression

Health Hazards:

With all those great benefits listed above caffeine does also have some health hazards you should look out for.

Hazards

- Muscle tremors, nausea etc (general toxicity)

- Cardiovascular effects

- May have and affect on your calcium and bone health

- Behavioural effects

- Can be linked to cancer

- Effects on your reproduction system

People who are addicted to caffeine, if they stop drinking it all together they will have something called caffeine withdrawal.

- Headache

- Sleepiness

- Irritability

- Constipation

- Depression

- Muscle pain

- Less concentration

- Insomnia

In order to reduce the negative effects of caffeine you could cut caffeine out of your diet or take in the recommended amount a day (cut back.) If you cut it out then you have to be careful with the side effects of caffeine withdrawal.

Natalie - What is Caffeine?

Caffeine

Figure 1

Formula: C8H10N4O2

Molecular Mass: 194g/mol

Functional groups present in molecule:

amine, amide, alkene

What is Caffeine? What are its benefits?           

People consume caffeine every single day, and it has been consumed by people for hundreds of years. It is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid product that acts as a natural stimulant; it speeds up the responses in the brain and in the body’s nervous system, allowing the consumer to feel like they are gaining energy when they don’t have any left from sleep. Unlike some other organic products such as herbicides, caffeine does not cause birth defects, heart attacks, or pancreatic cancer. Caffeine is present in many different drinks such as energy drinks, tea or coffee. In Japan, researchers have shown that consuming large amounts of caffeine (a cup of coffee would not be enough) can help increase memory by stimulating brain cells as well as lengthening life expectency. Some other benefits include:

Figure 2

- Helps increase muscle strength.

- Increases metabolism by burning down fat.

- Stimulating hair growth on both men and women.

- Increased stamina during exercise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP7EQ6e5d1c

What kinds of heath hazards are associated with Caffeine? What can I do to avoid them?

In addition to all of the great benefits of Caffeine, there are quite a few downsides to this organic product. One hazard that should be greatly taken into account would be that caffeine does in fact interfere with health digestion and bowel movements in the body. Some other main side effects of caffeine are as follows:

Figure 3

- Headaches.

- Runny nose.

- The effect of "crashing".

- Risk of caffeine addiction, increased blood pressure, etc.

For people who drink a lot of coffee (or any other drink that contains caffeine) should maybe think about pacing their caffeine intake. Two- three cups of coffee are considered to be more than enough for someone to consume in one day. Consumers should try to limit themselves to consuming 200-300mg of caffeine daily in order to reduce the chances of suffering from any of the heath hazards listed above.

Works Cited:

Book:

Websites:

Treichel, Joan Arehart. "Good news for caffeine consumers?." Science News 122.20 (1982): 1-2. Science Reference Center. Web. 29 Apr 2013.

Chenoweth , Chris. "Caffeine - Benefits and Risks."Disabled World. Disabled World, 03 Dec 2006. Web. 7 May 2013. <http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/caffeine.shtml>.

 "Top 10 Caffeine Health Benefits." energyfiend. Exis Web, 27 Mar 2013. Web. 7 May 2013. <http://www.energyfiend.com/top-10-caffeine-health-benefits>.

Dr.Mercola, . "GM Foods: The Shocking Cause of Birth Defects." Organic Consumers Association. N.p., 13 May 2012. Web. 7 May 2013. <http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_25438.cfm>.

Images:

Figure 1:

Caffeine . 2011. Photograph. Caffeine.comWeb. 7 May 2013. <http://www.caffeine.com/2762115755_162d5e3423_o.png>.

Figure 2:

Caffeine for Health. 2013. Photograph. CaffexWeb. 7 May 2013. <http://www.caffex.com/Caffeine-for-Health_b_120.html>.

Figure 3: 

How to Kick Your Morning’s Ass without Caffeine. 2013. Photograph. Gabriel HummelWeb. 7 May 2013. <http://www.gabrielhummel.com/2009/07/23/how-to-kick-your-mornings-ass-without-caffeine/>.

Video:

Brayn, Marshall, perf. How Caffeine Works. HowStuffWorks.com, 2007. Web. 7 May 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP7EQ6e5d1c>.bB