Strange Skin Reactions, Essay Example

When 49 children were sent to the emergency room for turning blue after eating contaminated chicken soup at school, they were diagnosed with methemoglobinemia, a condition that causes the appearance of blue blood, despite normal oxygen content.  The cook admitted to mixing the soup with tap water.  One week before the incident, an anti-corrosive agent had been added to the boiler for the annual safety check of the heating system.  When a malfunctioning check valve became “stuck” open, a pressure differential occurred between the boiler and the kitchen sink, allowing contaminated boiler water to travel to the kitchen sink.

Dr. Steve Marcus knew that the children did not have carbon monoxide poisoning, because carbon monoxide poisoning does not turn patients blue.

Two personal care products available on the market that contain ingredients irritating to the skin are the Dial Hello Kitty Moisturizing Body Wash and the Tone Fruit Peel Bodywash Alpha-Hydroxy Fruit Acids.  The irritating ingredients in the Dial Hello Kitty Moisturizing Body Wash are: fragrance(s)/perfume(s), tetrasodium EDTA, D&C Red #33, PEG-8, sodium laureth sulfate, and cocoamidopropyl betaine.  The irritating ingredients in the Tone Fruit Peel Bodywash Alpha-Hydroxy Fruit Acids are: fragrance(s)/perfume(s), tetrasodium EDTA, glycol distearate, PEG-8, DMDM hydantoin, FD&C (D&C) Yellow #10(C.I. 47005), Laureth-4, sodium laureth sulfate, cocoamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropylhydroxysultaine, DMDM hydantoin,FD&C (D&C) Yellow #10, glycol distearate, laureth-4, and red 40 lake.

The Dial Hello Kitty Moisturizing Body Wash has fewer ingredients responsible for dermatitis, but can still be irritating.Perfumes and fragrances may cause many unknown hazards, because companies do not have to disclose their contents. These unlisted ingredients can produce many negative and unknown skin reactions. Tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent made from formaldehyde and sodium cyanide.  It allows for better absorption of products into the skin, can create irritation in the process. D&C Red #33 is a synthetic dye produced from either petroleum or coal tar.  Sodium laureth sulfate is both a detergent and surfactant; it breaks down molecules in order for there to be a better interaction between the product and the skin.  PEG-8, also known as polyethylene glycol, not only produces skin irritation, but can be poisonous as well. Cocoamidopropyl betaine’s potential hazard to the skin to the skin is cumulative with each use.

The Tone Fruit Peel Bodywash Alpha-Hydroxy Fruit Acidscontains similar ingredients, but also has additional ingredients which may cause harm to the skin.Perfumes and fragrances may contain any number of hidden ingredients and have the potential to cause serious dermal reactions. Tetrasodium EDTA causes irritation because it allows for formaldehyde and sodium cyanide to enter into the skin.  Sodium laureth sulfate is used to ensure a better interaction between the product and the skin, but can cause irritation in the process. PEG-8, or antifreeze, is a toxic substance, which can cause dermatitis in addition to other problems.DMDM hydantoin is an antimicrobial formaldehyde preservative that has been restricted for use in Japan. FD&C (D&C) Yellow #10 is a synthetic dye produced from petroleum or coal tar.  Glycol distearate is also produced from petroleum, a common dermal hazard.  Laureth-4 is a synthetic polymer composed of lauryl alcohol and PEG, allowing for dehydration of the skin along with potential irritation or toxicity. Red 40 lake is a food coloring, which can cause hives and swelling.

Cocoamidopropyl betaine has been recognized as a dermal hazard by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. According to Blake-Hodges, cocoamidopropyl betaine has been shown to cause skin irritation.  Upon initial exposure, irritation is minimal; however, severity increases with the duration of exposure (3:14).

Work Cited

Blake-Hodges, Lynne. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Pollution Prevention

and Toxics. Cleaner Technologies Substitutes Assessment: Professional Fabricare Processes. Washington DC: , 1998. Web. <http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/garment/ctsa/docs/chap3.pdf>.

Brinley, Maryann. “49 Blue Kids.” UMDMJ magazine: 50-52. Print.