Persistent Organic Pollutants and Food Allergy Essay

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) argon compounds with cyclic, halogenated and are organic in nature characteristics that impart stability in their structures (Ritter, Solomon, Forget, Stemeroff, and OLeary, 1995). Be motion of its morphologic stability, POPs withstand 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 allergy is a result of the abnormal response of the soundboxs immune system to aliment for thoughts that whitethorn cause grave illness and even death (U. S. department of wellness and Human Services, 2007). It is mistakenly associated with food intolerance which is a digestive problem and preserve not be attributed to food allergy. In addition, food intolerance is not caused by the action of the immune system rather by the lack of specific metabolic enz yme needed in the digestion of a particular food (U. S. Department of health and Human Services, 2007). Individuals with familial allergy background are prone to food allergies and other supersensitized diseases like asthma.Meanwhile, the gastrointestinal tract, skin, lungs, throat, and skin are frequently 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 continuously 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 go away from warm regions and condense in geographical areas like mountain terrains an d Polar 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 production and foliar applications of pesticides and insecticides while others such as dioxins and furans are just by-products of the manufacturing change, waste incineration, forest fires, and metallurgical processes (Environmental Literacy Council, 2008).As such, the presence of PCBs in far flung places is a manifestation of its worldwide-dispersal from several industrial sources. In fact, fifteen nanograms per cubic meter 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 presence in rain and snow would not be a surprise. Exposure to POPs by means of food consumption, industrial occupat ion, and pollutants may lead to toxicity.POPs lipophilicity or high solubility in lipids in couple 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 conversion of POPs into more resolved compounds is also possible. Researches conducted on this matter showed the correlations of PCBs use of goods and services with the dysfunction of endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems, cancer, 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 run through the bloodstream to specific body parts and triggers allergic reactions (U. S. Department of wel lness and Human Services, 2007). Allergic reactions may take place either at the specific cells or within the whole body (Jackson, 2003). The length 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 eating 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 bacteria or other microorganisms which brings bodily infections. However, the extraneous produc tion 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 generates assign antibodies to combat their infectious effects (Jackson, 2003). The immune system has two consecutive actions leading to allergic reaction. During the digestion of foods, the immune system produces immunoglobulin-E (IgE), an antibody which is protein in nature (U. S.Department of Health and Human Services, 2007). Then, IgE adheres with basophils and mast cells located 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). tool 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 ver tebral column 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 aforesaid(prenominal) 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 increase 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 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 chemical mediators, the body ca n be systematically engrossed with allergic reactions (Jackson, 2003). The intestine has defensive barriers that prevent the main course and contact of any antigens with the mast cells (Jackson, 2003). Also, the gut wall is covered with viscous 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 below the mucus membrane, which generate enzymes that can deactivate histamine and other bioactive substances (Jackson, 2003). Allergens that may infiltrate 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). 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 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 prevalence of allergy-related cases nowadays can be attributed to the modern life style (Jackson, 2003).For instance, drug treatment of a mother during pregnancy and infants medication may contribute to early acquisition of allergic tendency due 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.