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The pathway of Toxins in the body – Entry to Elimination
#1
Toxicant is the name given to the substances that are potential to cause any undesirable effect in the living organism even causing death of the organism on exposure to such compounds. In simpler term a toxicant is called as poison. With wide variety of toxicants present in the environment one cannot escape from being exposed to it either intentionally or unintentionally. How does these toxic substances gain entry into our body on exposure and what happens to it in our system and how it is eliminated from the body is a quite interesting phenomenon very well defined under the area of science called as ‘Toxicology’.

The mode of exposure to the toxic substance determines the route of entry of the substance into the body. The mode of exposure is either by a physical contact like handling the substance or through inhaling the toxicant or through intake of the toxic substance. In case of physical contact with the substance the route of entry is skin and in case of inhalation the route of entry is lungs and gastrointestinal tract in the scenario of direct intake. Inspite of these multiple routes of entry the toxicant ultimately enters the blood stream. Besides all these routes the toxicant gains direct entry into the blood stream by injecting the substance either intravenously, intraperitoneal, subcutaneously or intramuscularly.

The skin which acts as the barrier between the body and the environment is a quite challenging route for the toxicants to enter the body. The epidermal layer of cells, the hair follicles, oil gland and sweat gland present on the skin are the possible route of entry for a toxicant to reach the blood stream. The entry through epidermal layer is difficult for the toxicants as it has to cross underlying layers such as the germinal layer and corium to reach the blood stream. The rate of diffusion of the toxicant is directly proportional to the permeable nature of the skin. Except for few toxics like acids and alkali makes the skin highly permeable by damaging the skin layer. The permeability of the skin is different for different species.

The toxic agents present in the air enter the body through respiratory tract upon inhalation. The toxic gases like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide and the volatile substances like benzene, the suspended particulate matter in the air enters the lungs through respiration. The absorption of these toxics in lungs is influenced by the larger area of the lungs and increased blood flow to the lungs. The quantity of the toxic gas in the air and the partial pressure of the same are the two factors governing the entry of the toxic gases through inhalation. The solubility nature of the toxic element decides the rate of diffusion of the substance from the lungs to the blood stream.

The next route of entry to be discussed is the gastrointestinal tract where the toxins make its entry via food chain. Also direct intake of toxic substance intentionally reaches the gastrointestinal tract. Thus the toxins reaching the GI tract is mostly harmless till the process of absorption of the toxin by the GI tract takes place. As the GI tract has several transport channels for the various nutrients, minerals and aminoacid present in the food, some of the toxins uses these transport system to reach the blood stream. The micro flora, acid and enzymes present in the GI tract are considered as important factors determining the fate of the toxin entering the GI tract. There is a possibility that the action of any of these factors on the toxic substance can reduce the toxicity of the substance. The rate of toxic element entering the blood stream from the GI tract depends upon the dissolution nature of the element.

Once entering the blood stream through different routes the toxicants either reaches their target organs or gets collected at various sites. The various such collection or storage units are the plasma proteins (albumin, globulin, and transferrin), the fat deposit of the body, the bone, the liver and the kidney. The toxicity of the element is organ specific and hence it need not be exhibited at the storage points.

Finally the distributed compounds are eliminated from the body by the proper functioning of the two vital organs, the liver and the kidney. The liver metabolizes the toxic element and releases into the bile for excretion and the kidney filters the blood and eliminates the toxins.

The amount of toxic substance, the length of exposure to the toxic substance, the age and health of the exposed individual are factors to be observed and analyzed to understand the effects of the toxin on the individual.
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#2
Toxicant is the name given to the substances that are potential to cause any undesirable effect in the living organism even causing death of the organism on exposure to such compounds.How does these toxic substances gain entry into our body on exposure and what happens to it in our system and how it is eliminated from the body is a quite interesting phenomenon very well defined under the area of science called as ‘Toxicology’...............

Dear priyasaravanan_1406,
I had gone through your article and want to thank you for your article is really useful. It has lot of good information on toxins and related concepts especially those impacting human beings.


Here, I would like to add one more silent killer / toxin which may exists in our homes but is generally not noticed!
It is carbon monoxide, which is also known as "Silent Killer".
This is because it is odorless, tasteless, and invisible to our eyes. So even if it is present in the environment, where we live, it is not recognized. Today in many homes, appliances like home-heaters and other fuel combustion based home-appliances are used. These appliances emit carbon monoxide due to in complete combustion of fuel and less supply of oxygen during combustion. This Carbon monoxide may sometimes be very less in quantity, such that it is not recognized, but one should have its knowledge to prevent health related issue due to its exposure.
Carbon monoxide enters through our respiratory system and replace oxygen carrying hemoglobin molecule. This reduces oxygen level in our body and may even results in damage of vital organs or may sometimes cause death.
Therefore it is important to have its knowledge and to know how to protect ourselves in case of its exposure. To prevent it, one should have proper ventilation in their homes so as to avoid its accumulation even if it is being emitted in the immediate environment. Second in case of symptoms like vomiting, irritation to eyes, and breathing problems, one should immediately take doctors advice and recommended treatment.
Having knowledge of danger is half prevention of its possible impact !Idea
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#3
(11-23-2012, 05:19 PM)ExpertScie Wrote: Toxicant is the name given to the substances that are potential to cause any undesirable effect in the living organism even causing death of the organism on exposure to such compounds.How does these toxic substances gain entry into our body on exposure and what happens to it in our system and how it is eliminated from the body is a quite interesting phenomenon very well defined under the area of science called as ‘Toxicology’...............

Dear priyasaravanan_1406,
I had gone through your article and want to thank you for your article is really useful. It has lot of good information on toxins and related concepts especially those impacting human beings.


Here, I would like to add one more silent killer / toxin which may exists in our homes but is generally not noticed!
It is carbon monoxide, which is also known as "Silent Killer".
This is because it is odorless, tasteless, and invisible to our eyes. So even if it is present in the environment, where we live, it is not recognized. Today in many homes, appliances like home-heaters and other fuel combustion based home-appliances are used. These appliances emit carbon monoxide due to in complete combustion of fuel and less supply of oxygen during combustion. This Carbon monoxide may sometimes be very less in quantity, such that it is not recognized, but one should have its knowledge to prevent health related issue due to its exposure.
Carbon monoxide enters through our respiratory system and replace oxygen carrying hemoglobin molecule. This reduces oxygen level in our body and may even results in damage of vital organs or may sometimes cause death.
Therefore it is important to have its knowledge and to know how to protect ourselves in case of its exposure. To prevent it, one should have proper ventilation in their homes so as to avoid its accumulation even if it is being emitted in the immediate environment. Second in case of symptoms like vomiting, irritation to eyes, and breathing problems, one should immediately take doctors advice and recommended treatment.
Having knowledge of danger is half prevention of its possible impact !Idea
Dear Expertsci
Thanks for your useful piece of information.

Along with Carbon monoxide there are many toxins prevailing in the indoor air. The acts like painting the house, varnishing the furniture, bringing home new furniture, drycleaning, cooking are the major sources for many indoor air pollutants. Also Household cleaning products, toiletries, carpets contribute to indoor air toxins. Some of the toxic substances produced as a result are formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and trichloroethylene. To maintain the indoor air quality and to purify the air it is recommended to grow plants with unique characteristic of removing the toxin from the air indoor. Below is the list of some of the plants prescribed as indoor air purifiers and the type of toxins they remove from air.

Aloe vera: Removes formaldehyde and benzene present in the air
Spider plant : Removes benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and carbon monoxide
Peace Lily: Formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene
Gerber Daisy: Benzene and trichloroethylene
Snake plant: Nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde
Golden Pathos: Formaldehyde
Areca Palm: formaldehyde, xylene
Chrysanthemum: Benzene
English ivy: Formaldehyde and allergens present in air
Bamboo palm: Benzene and tricholorethylene
Philodeodron with heart shaped leaves: Volatile organic compounds
Bamboo palm: Benzene and trichloroethylene

Growing plants indoor not only makes your inside environment green, it relaxes you, will be a visual treat for you and the most important of all it purifies your indoor air and protects you from the harmful toxins circulating in the home without your knowledge.
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#4
You have shared very nice information about the toxins and and what they removed in the air. In this world by using some plants also we can do the treatment, but it is slow process. By using good medicines and consult best doctors we can cure our diseases easily.
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#5
(11-27-2012, 04:07 PM)rorystyris Wrote: You have shared very nice information about the toxins and and what they removed in the air. In this world by using some plants also we can do the treatment, but it is slow process. By using good medicines and consult best doctors we can cure our diseases easily.

Dear rorystyris,

Thanks for your comment on my article.

I have discussed the ways to protect ourselves from indoor air pollution as we always know prevention is better than cure.
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#6
The skin which acts as the barrier between the body and the environment is a quite challenging route for the toxicants to enter the body. The epidermal layer of cells, the hair follicles, oil gland and sweat gland present on the skin are the possible route of entry for a toxicant to reach the blood stream.
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