Persistent Organic Pollutants and Food Allergy Essay

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are compounds with cyclic, halogenated and are organic in nature characteristics that impart stability in their structures (Ritter, Solomon, Forget, Stemeroff, and OLeary, 1995). Be become of its structural stability, POPs nurse degradation while its organic nature makes its solubility high in lipid or organic solvent but low in water and in other inorganic solvents. Additionally, their semi-volatile nature allows them to exist in vapor or be deposited on atmospheric particulates.Food hypersensitised reaction is a expiry of the abnormal repartee of the carcasss resistant body to foods that whitethorn cause grave illness and even last (U. S. surgical incision of wellness and Human Services, 2007). It is mistakenly associated with food intolerance which is a digestive problem and fecal matter non be attributed to food allergy. In addition, food intolerance is not caused by the action of the immune trunk rather by the lack of specific meta bolic enzyme needed in the digestion of a particular food (U. S. discussion section of Health and Human Services, 2007). Individuals with familial allergy background are prvirtuoso to food allergies and other allergic diseases handle asthma.Meanwhile, the gastrointestinal tract, skin, lungs, throat, and skin are ofttimes sites of allergic reactions (U. S. department of Health and Human Services, 2007). Persistent Organic Pollutants Organo-halogenated compounds such as toxaphene, chlordane, dieldrin, dibenzo-p-dioxins, DDT, dibenzo-p-furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are known for their structural stability and environmental persistence, thus, bioaccumulation results as they unendingly flow in the ecological food chain (Ritter, Solomon, Forget, Stemeroff, and OLeary, 1995). As an example, PCBs resist degradation for several years and biomagnify by 70,000 folds.Since POPs are semi-volatile, they fade from warm regions and condense in geographical areas like mountain t errains and icy Regions (California Breast Cancer Research Program, 2007). These properties permeated PCBs in worldwide places including Antarctic, arctic, and desert regions where chemical plants do not exist. Most POPs came from anthropogenic sources like industrial achievement and foliar applications of pesticides and insecticides while others such as dioxins and furans are exactly by-products of the manufacturing process, waste incineration, woodland fires, and metallurgical processes (Environmental Literacy Council, 2008).As such, the presence of PCBs in far flung places is a reflexion of its worldwide-dispersal from several industrial sources. In fact, fifteen nanograms per cubic meter of PCBs closeness have been analyzed in the atmosphere of industrialized areas and different places oer the world (Ritter, Solomon, Forget, Stemeroff, and OLeary, 1995). Thus, the PCBs presence in rain and snow would not be a surprise. Exposure to POPs by means of food consumption, industr ial occupation, and pollutants whitethorn lead to toxicity.POPs lipophilicity or high solubility in lipids in coupled with its structural stability and biomagnification in the food chain result to high risk of bioaccumulation and toxicity among living organisms. More than these, metabolic renascence of POPs into more persistent compounds is also possible. Researches conducted on this matter showed the correlations of PCBs ingestion with the disfunction of endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems, ratcer, neurobehavioral disorders and some infant abnormalities (Ritter, Solomon, Forget, Stemeroff, and OLeary, 1995).Moreover, exposure to POPs has been correlated with a decrease in the population of marine organisms like dolphins, whales, and fish species (Ritter, Solomon, Forget, Stemeroff, and OLeary, 1995). Food Allergy Food allergens are proteins in foods that after digestion egest by dint of the bloodstream to specific body parts and triggers allergic reactions (U. S. Depart ment of Health and Human Services, 2007). Allergic reactions may take place any at the specific 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 present in food, by merely just chewing the food allergic reaction may start at the mouth. Most of the time stomachache, vomiting, and diarrhea are observed after feeding which indicate allergic reactions. After food digestion, food allergens flow through the bloods stream and may trigger blood pressure lowering. Nonetheless, reaching the skin, mouth, and lungs, may cause hives, itchiness, and even smothering (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2007). Antibodies or immunoglobulins are protein substances secreted by B-lymphocytes to work against antigens or allergens (Jackson, 2003).Antigens are exuded by bacterium or other microorganisms which brings bodily infections. However, the extraneous production of antibodies may cause illness (Jackson, 2003). Meanwhile, potential antigens are also present in dust, pollens and foods. By means of direct contact, inhalation or consumption of these antigens, the body pay offs eliminate antibodies to combat their infectious effects (Jackson, 2003). The immune system has two straight actions leading to allergic reaction. During the digestion of foods, the immune system get under ones skins 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 hardened 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 Services, 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 surface of the cell (Jackson, 2003).As such, the cell is incited by the antigen to generate antibodies. The cell becomes sensitive to the subsequent attacks of the same antigens and autonomic response develops. Thus, as the cell detects the presence of the antigen, it educes biologically active and other proinflammatory substances like histamines and leukotrienes (Jackson, 2003). These substances trigger the inflammatory response of the cell resulting to an increased blood generate 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 located in different body parts, immediate allergic reactions are often observed in some individuals who are highly sensitive with allergies. As a result of allergen absorption and wide circulation of chemi cal mediators, the body can be systematically engrossed with allergic reactions (Jackson, 2003). The intestine has defensive barriers that proscribe the entry and contact of any antigens with the mast cells (Jackson, 2003). Also, the gut wall is covered with awkward mucus secreted by the lining cells.This mucus has protective substances acting as antiseptic coupled with the help of antibodies. Then, epithelial cells are located infra the mucus membrane, which generate enzymes that can deactivate histamine and other bioactive substances (Jackson, 2003). Allergens that may penetrate 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 cause inflammatory response (Jackson, 2003). demonstrationThe genetic predisposition causes individuals with familial allergic history to become sensitive 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 tendency is called atopy, thus, individuals in this condition are tagged as atopic. On the other hand, contemporary theory on the nature of allergy suggested that the preponderance of allergy-related cases nowadays can be attributed to the modern life style (Jackson, 2003).For instance, medicate treatment of a mother during pregnancy and infants medicine may contribute to early acquisition of allergic tendency payable to the bodys adverse reaction with drugs (Jackson, 2003). Also, the inhalation of bacteria or other microorganism through air pollutants and other atmospheric particulates that may include persistent organic pollutants or POPs provoke the immune system to produce antibodies then, allergic reactions spontaneously occur.