WHAT ELEMENTS CAN DO…
Elements are everywhere… in everything. Inside our bodies, and outside. They are necessary for sustaining life and for manufacturing the most basic items required for everyday living. So each organism consists of a variety of elements and compounds. For example, an average 70 kilograms adult human being is composed of 60 chemical elements, the main ones being oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. These same elements are used in industries to create products. Interesting, isn’t it?
Yet, if we cross our limits and disturb their delicate balance in nature, they can wreak havoc on us, and on this planet.
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HUMAN FACTORY |
MAN-MADE FACTORY |
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Oxygen: It plays a vital role in respiration and metabolism. Oxidation is the source of energy for most animals. Water in human body also contains oxygen – H2O. Oxygen also combines with carbon molecules to form carbon dioxide. |
Oxygen: For treating water and smelting of iron ore into steel. To manufacture products like anti freeze and polyester polymers, in medical applications, metal cutting and welding, as an oxidiser for rocket fuel. |
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Carbon: It is the basic unit for organic molecules, which combines with most other elements to sustain life. It is part of our DNA and respiration process. |
Carbon: Source of energy like wood, coal, petroleum and other fossil fuels. All its compounds, graphite and diamonds, and alloys like carbon steel have innumerable applications. |
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Hydrogen: Most of the human body is made up of water, which is made of hydrogen molecules (and oxygen). Oxygen burns hydrogen in the living system, reeasing the energy that runs our bodies. So, hydrogen is ‘the fuel of life’. |
Hydrogen:Used as an agent for processing fossil fuels. As an energy carrier, like a battery, in vehicles. Hydrogen’s isotopes have specific applications, such as in nuclear fission and fusion reactions. |
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Nitrogen: It is a constituent element of amino acids and thus, of proteins and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). It is present in the chemical structure of neurotransmitters and form biological molecules like alkaloids. It is part of animal waste, in the form of urea, uric acid, and ammonium compounds. |
Nitrogen: Serves as an inert replacement for air where oxidation is undesirable. Preserves the freshness of packaged or bulk foods. Used to manufacture stainless steel and ordinary incandescent light bulbs, and also for producing electronic parts such as transistors and diodes. |
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Without calcium, no living thing would have a form! Why? Because calcium makes our bones and teeth. It plays a crucial role in the functioning of nerves and muscles. |
Calcium: As a reducing agent in the extraction of uranium, zirconium and thorium, and as an alloying agent in the production of aluminium. In making cements and mortars. |
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Phosphorous: It forms biological molecules such as DNA and RNA and helps transport cellular energy. Phospholipids are the main structural components of all cellular membranes. |
Phosphorous: As a constituent of fertilisers. Forms organophosphorus compounds which are used in plasticisers, flame-retardants, pesticides, extraction agents and water treatment. It is a key component in steel production. |
So, you see how important these elements are. But, the same elements can be catastrophic to the environment, and to the health of human beings and other life forms. Shocked? Well, digest these:
Looming Dangers:
OXYGEN
■ Oxygen gas (O2) can be toxic at elevated partial pressures, leading to convulsions and other health problems.
■ Concentrated sources of oxygen promote rapid combustion – fire and explosion.
■ Liquid oxygen spills, if allowed to soak into organic matter, such as wood, petrochemicals and asphalt can cause these materials to burst.
HYDROGEN
■ Hydrogen gas mixed with air may spontaneously ignite. While hydrogen fire is extremely hot, it is almost invisible. Thus, it can lead to accidental burns.
■ Liquid hydrogen presents dangers (such as frostbite) associated with very cold liquids.
■ It is the source of lethal bombs.
PHOSPHORUS
■ Phosphorus forms toxic compounds. Fluoro phosphate esters are among the most potent neurotoxins known, and some others are used as pesticides and as weapons.
■ The white phosphorus allotrope presents a significant fire hazard due to its extreme reactivity with atmospheric oxygen
■ It causes eutrophication and algal blooms, which can be catastrophic for the natural environment.
CARBON
■ Pure carbon has extremely low toxicity and can even be ingested safely. But, inhalation of coal dust or soot (carbon black) in large quantities can be fatal, and can cause lung diseases. Similarly, diamond dust used as an
abrasive can do harm if ingested or inhaled.
■ Carbon particles from diesel engine exhaust fumes, accumulate in the lungs.
■ Carbon may also burn vigorously in the presence of air at high temperatures.
■ The great variety of carbon compounds includes lethal poisons like tetrodotoxin, cyanide (CN-) and carbon.
NITROGEN
■ Rapid release of nitrogen gas into an enclosed space can displace oxygen, which may kill living organisms.
■ When inhaled at high partial pressures, nitrogen may affect the brain. Direct skin contact cause severe frostbite.
■ Excessive nitrogen in the environment can cause eutrophication, which leads to excessive plant growth and decay, lack of oxygen, and severe reductions in water quality, fish, and other animal populations.
CALCIUM
■ Exceeding the recommended daily calcium intake for an extended period of time can result in hypercalcemia and calcium metabolism disorder.
■ Calcium arsenate is toxic and used in insecticides, and Calcium cyclamate has cancer-causing properties.
STRIKING THE BALANCE
Human beings with our exponential increase in industrial activities have dangerously redistributed many toxic metals from the Earth’s crust to the environment, and thus increased the possibility of human exposure. These elements are not harmful per se, but if used or present in excessive quantity, beyond limits, they can cause serious trouble. The balance has to be maintained in the environment if we want to reap the benefits of these elements… inside or outside our bodies.
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