Any Chemists On Site?

[raysouth]

Read an article yesterday, about "tater tots", and learned a good bit, especially that I don't think I will eat them again.

A combination of chemicals are used in the process but I have no idea what they might be. One of the compounds is used to remove hair from poultry and other carcasses after slaughter. I don't think I will need any hair removed from my internals any time soon, I hope. lol.

The compound or substance is also used to remove stains from leather and wondering just what it might be.

DISODIUM DIHYDROGEN PYROPHOSPHATE is the substance used. Portions of the words are familiar but as a whole I have zero knowledge.

Anyone care to shed some light here?

God Bless.

Ray

[rawcustom]

Been a few years since organic chemistry, and I don't have anything particular to add about disodium pyrophosphate other than this, don't judge it by the name.

I know we are living in an age where people are looking to identify evil "chemicals" in everything we use and eat, but chemical names always sound unnatural, and most are quick to assume they are straight from some toxic refinery.

It is added to hashbrowns to prevent darkening. I can't say I agree with it's necessity, as I'm more concerned with flavor than appearance, but many people would see dark brown frozen taters and assume they are spoiled. Did you know many people add 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid to keep apples from darkening? I'm guilty of this myself. I have to say that dark dried apples don't bother me, I just like the flavor of apples with lemon juice.

Perhaps someone more current on their organic chem can inform us more of this particular compound.

[mlapaglia]

Its use in leather cleaning is limited to removing iron stains. Its also a popular ingredient in backing powder. Personally Id stick to Oxalic acid for cleaning leather.

[TwinOaks]

20something years I saw this

"Warning: This bag contains Silicate dust, a product known to the State of California to cause Cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm."

.

.

.

On a bag of SAND. I just quit caring after learning that Dirt causes cancer

[Tramps Leatherworking]

Mike , did you learn that after discovering the Sun causes cancer also?

[rawcustom]

20something years I saw this

"Warning: This bag contains Silicate dust, a product known to the State of California to cause Cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm."

I used to read that on nearly every canister or container we had in the shop. I always thought we were safe as long as we stayed away from California?

[raysouth]

I really have no comment about good or bad chemicals but do like to know what they are. Lemon Juice?

Removing iron stains? Okay, but still no idea what it is.

Silica dust is bad news, as well as most dust particles ingested in high concentrations. Even leather dust not good for the lungs. Coal dust not good and sure there are some miners that can verify that. Many exotic woods have dangerous dust when being cut or sanded. The list goes on and on and we just have to take our chances and make attempts to protect ourselves.

Yes, I suppose that everyone has heard about the harmful effects of to much sun but I would rather see it shining than not. Not into tanning thing and not out in it as much as I would like to be.

Playing with leather and pyrography, I try to keep myself "safe" and do like to know best ways to do that. Yes, I play with leather as I am not an artisan, as many folks are on the site. So many outstanding works of art here the site as a whole is better than a museum.

Y'all be good and fill me in on what the stuff is, okay?

God Bless.

Ray

Edited January 29, 2015 by raysouth

[rawcustom]

Did not mean any offense Ray, just trying to point out that chemical names can sound more devious than the common names. For example I listed 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid because that is scary sounding chemical name, when it is only citric acid (lemons).

If you're going to make a habit of exposing yourself to most any type of chemical or dust, you should take precautions. I try to be consistent wearing a respirator when I'm grinding steel. I doubt the metal will cause me much issue, but the abrasive dust if exposed to enough over sufficient time will be a problem. I always wear gloves when handling glues and dyes, and that should be fine until the chemical in the gloves gets to me. These topics always make me think back to the timeless saying of "everything in moderation".

Edited January 29, 2015 by rawcustom

[Tramps Leatherworking]

Ray, Disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate is one of dozens of varieties of phosphates used as food additives. It’s derived from mined phosphate rock which is purified to isolate the phosphorous and further processed to add sodium or other desired molecules. “It is basically a mineral that comes out of the ground and is then processed into a synthetic chemical."

Phosphates are used for an array of reasons, serving as leavening agents to fluff up foods, in nondairy creamers to reduce acidity, in lunchmeat to keep it moist, in bread to keep it from molding, and in cheese to help it keep its shape. It’s also used to prevent potato products from blackening and to keep tuna from discoloring or drying out.

I think I would worry more about being ran over by people driving and texting on cell phones...

[camano ridge]

If you are looking for a common name liek lemon juice it does not have one, it is sometimes called sodium acid. It is derived from mined phosphate. It is also phound in canned seafood and is used as a leavening agent in making bread. THere are many phosphate derivatives used in food. DISODIUM DIHYDROGEN PYROPHOSPHATE is characterized as GRAS (generaly reagarded as safe) There are warnings that excessive use can cause mineral imbalance in the body and bone loss.

Edited January 29, 2015 by camano ridge