From hero to zero: chemical blunders in history

Everyday new products are introduced to us to make our life easier, to make us more attractive, to give us more energy, to save us time...…. Product innovation and introduction has been happening for hundreds of years. And we trust that when a new product becomes available to us that it has been thoroughly tested for side effects. However, in history, the convenience, attractiveness or financial advantage of a product has been prioritised over thorough research.

For example, DDT was a pesticide synthesised in 1873. However, it was not commonly used until the Second World War when it was implemented to protect soldiers from malaria, typhus and other diseases spread by insects. Following the war, it was made available to spray agricultural crops. In 1955 the World Health Organisation used DDT in a worldwide program to eliminate insect-borne diseases.

DDT came under scrutiny in 1962 when biologist Rachel Carson suggested in her book (Silent Spring) that DDT was potentially causing cancer as well as being a major threat to the environment.

Gradually, DDT was identified as a possible cause to reproductive problems, genital birth defects, breast and pancreatic cancers.

After much controversy and investigation, countries began to ban the use of DDT. Hungary was the first to ban in it 1968. Australia did not follow suit until 1987.

DDT is extremely resilient and can remain in soil for a number of years. As a result DDT residue can still be found in almost everything – milk, wheat, fish, water, wool for example.

Cigarettes were also once highly regarded and were in fact rationed out to soldiers of the First World War. However, in the 1930’s doctors began to identify an epidemic of lung cancer cases. This sparked a number of studies and by the 1950’s it was concluded that cigarette smoking significantly increased the chances of developing lung cancer.

Almost 20 years later the Australian Government started to ban cigarette advertising on radio and television. In 1985 health warnings on cigarette packaging became compulsory and by 1992 all remaining forms of cigarette advertising were banned. In 2006 mandatory graphic images on cigarette packets were introduced.

Globally, the number of cigarette related deaths is expected to reach 10 million by 2030. The government continues to implement strategies to curb the impact made over 100 years ago.

Asbestos is another material that was hailed for its functionality but was later recognised as a serious threat to human health. Although asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used for hundreds and thousands of years, its use became more mainstream in the Industrial Revolution of the 1800’s. By the 1900’s doctors recognised an alarming number of premature deaths relating to respiratory disease. By the 1930’s the health concerns were undeniable, but the use of asbestos in over 3000 products continued. It was finally regulated in the 1970’s. However, Australia did not ban 2 forms of asbestos until the mid 1980s and another form in late 2003.

Australia has the highest number of asbestos related deaths in the world.

On the pharmaceutical front, the drug thalidomide was introduced in 1957 to pregnant women to help alleviate morning sickness. It was withdrawn from the market in 1961, when it was found to be causing birth defects in the new born children.  It is estimated that there are up to 20,000 victims worldwide.  

What is going to be our next chemical blunder – fluoridated water, flu vaccinations, untested cleaning products, GM foods …..????

Comments

[Kerri]

With the latest news of death of a 2 year old for a Flu Vaccination it seems you are definatly spot on. http://www.news.com.au/national/flu-shot-fatality-toddler-dies-12-hours-after-having-vaccination/story-e6frfkvr-1225857872979