Perchlorate Perchlorate is classified as a crystalline substance . There are 5 different forms , it can be man made or occur naturally .Magnesium, Potassium ,Ammonium , Sodium and lithium Perchlorate . Perchlorate dissolves very easily in water . When at a ordinary temperature Perchlorate is stable but when it is at the temperature 150 c or higher it begins to decompose. Perchlorate becomes an explosive chemical when it is mixed with organic materials .This chemical could explode if involved with fire . Sensitivity shock and friction occur when contaminated with small amounts such as sulfur, powdered and carbonaceous materials . What is it used for ? Why was it developed • Perchlorate is used for many things that we may not be aware of . • It is used as a major component of propellant solid fuels for rockets and missiles . Its used in the production of explosives & fire works. Perchlorate causes the blue color in fireworks . • Years ago it was used to treat people suffering from thyroid disorders & Graves disease . Today it is still used under limited conditions to test thyroid hormone production in patients . • It is also used for matches, dyes , lubricating oils , air bag inflators , paint production , electroplating & some chemical fertilizers How is it prevalent • Perchlorate is very prevalent in our environment because we use it for so many things . • A military sight contains a lot of this chemical because it is exposed from rocket fuel • A swimming pool contains this because chlorine is used , and chlorine contains perchlorate What's the concern ? • The concern about this chemical is that we are exposed to it through so many different connections . • A study in 2002 was done on the comparison with thyroid functions between rats and humans • Brain morphometry, neurobehavior, and thyroid tumors were some of the effects from being exposed to this chemical • These effcets showed up faster in rats because they have a smaller capacity of thyroids compared to humans What impact is the chemical having on wildlife ? • An experiment was done on cows , taking samples of their milk twice a week and mixing it with aliquot for milk somatic cell count (SCC), composition, and perchlorate analyses . The samples were heated for 15 minutes at 60 c then at 40 c . After the results came back they proved that the health of the animals was unaffected by the perchlorate . How are humans exposed to it • Humans are exposed to perchlorates in many different ways . • Humans are exposed to this chemical everyday by consuming food, milk and water . • It has been found in tap water , drinking water and ground water . • gunpowder, temporary adhesives, • electrolysis baths, batteries, drying agents, • etching agents, oxygen generating systems, • matches, chlorine and chlorine based • cleaners, and pool chlorination chemicals • Perchlorate has been found in many types of chewing tobacco . • It has also been detected in cigarette smoke How can we minimize exposure ? • • • • • We can prevent exposure by .. using less of the many products that contain perchlorate Avoiding contaminated dust Not touching contaminated soil Keeping anything that has been in contact with perchlorate away from your eyes , mouth and skin EPA to set limits on chemicals in drinking water By the CNN Wire Staff February 2, 2011 3:52 p.m. EST • This article was written to basically explain that there was the general concern of the effects that could occur from perchlorate that is in the water that people drink on a daily basis of their every day lives. 5 in 17 million people have been served contaminated water . It explains how this is the 1st time that they’ve regulated the chemicals not because of the effect it could have on people , but the effect it could have on their child down the road . It could damage the thyroid and also the process of the development in fetuses and infants . This article relates to real life because as human beings water is a necessity for us we have to use it for several different reasons but most importantly we have to drink it to prevent dehydration and other health issues . Therefore it is important that the water we do consume is purified and safe enough for us . MCL • MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. Sources • http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=181 • http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/unregulated/perchlorate.cfm • http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/chemicals/perchlorate • http://www.pnas.org/content/102/45/16152.full • http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11202&page=117 • http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxguides/toxguide-162.pdf • http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=75 • http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/02/02/epa.water.chemical/index.html?iref=allsearch • • http://amwater.com/files/MO_StLouisCounty_2008_web.pdf http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbo=d&biw=1366&bih=638&tbm=isch&tbnid=NYrMUKxZ2FyM 3M:&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Potassium-perchlorate-(2004)-K-coord-3Dballs.png&docid=kkmYQjSD7UrSwM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Potassiumperchlorate-(2004)-K-coord-3Dballs.png&w=1027&h=1100&ei=KJrvULTAJIXzqQH74YDADw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=316&vpy=12&dur=412&hov h=141&hovw=136&tx=100&ty=105&sig=117313645606787882002&page=2&tbnh=141&tbnw=136&start=21&ndsp =28&ved=1t:429,r:44,s:0,i:251