Any Chemists On Site?

[TexasJack]

Yeah, I do possess a degree in chemistry.

Everything is made up of chemicals. Some are very bad for you, some are OK, and some totally depend on the dosage. The chemical you are concerned about is commonly used in baking powder and is, as camano ridge pointed out, generally regarded as safe. Among other things it is a chelating agent which means it binds to metal atoms and forms a large molecule that can be washed away. (Chelate comes from the Greek word for "claw".) You'll often see sodium EDTA, which is also a chelating agent, in bread. It's also the chemical given to people who have heavy metal poisoning (like lead).

Your stomach contains hydrochloric acid for digesting food. Hydrochloric acid (sometimes referred to by it's old name "muriatic acid") is often used to remove iron stains.

Best example of the effect of dosage I ever heard was this: If you take one aspirin per day, after 10 years you will have consumed 3,652 aspirin and unless you are allergic to the stuff or have stomach ulcers, you will not see any adverse effects. However, if you sit down and try to eat 3,652 aspirin at one time, you will have a very adverse effect - it will kill you.

So something like disodium pyrophosphate that you normally only consume in small quantities is not going to affect your health, despite the fact that in high concentrations it can be used for cleaning out rust stains.

[raysouth]

THANK YOU ONE AND ALL.

I knew the answer was somewhere on this site.

I agree with the statement, everything in moderation, for the most part. Have abused some things that would not be considered as moderation but no regrets to date.

Tramps, I do worry about those on cel phones, texting while in motion. See a lot of it and at times has been a disaster for folks.

Rawcustom, you did not offend and appreciate the comments you made. We have to keep a bit of good cheer in the air and enjoy what we have.

Twin Oaks, what doesn't cause cancer these days? Might be easier to explain. I'll stay out of the dirt, regardless. If I got down and in it, I wouldn't be able to get up again. lol.

TexasJack, I thank you and will do my best to stay away from the aspirin. Don't go well with my warfarin, another chemical composition I use daily. lol. Did use a bit of muriatic acid in days of yore. Could have saved a few bucks if I could get it out of my stomach. lol.

Life is wonderful and so happy to know all of you and to be on this site.

Thanks again and god Bless.

Ray

[billybopp]

This thread reminds me of the two little ol' ladies that were poking around a funeral parlor while waiting for mourners to show up for their friend. The walked into one of the other rooms, and saw a man lying in his casket, looking just terrible. They asked the funeral director what had happened to him, and he replied "He stopped eating and using all of the things that they said were bad for him.".

Bill

[TexasJack]

There was a Woody Allen movie - back when he was funny - called "Sleeper" (I think). In it, the main character is frozen and then thawed out in the future. As the doctors are reviewing what's in his stomach (like granola) one of them says something like, "That was back before we found out Twinkies and HoHos were health foods."

[raysouth]

You guys are a riot. Love it.

Billybopp, I was affiliated with the funeral industry for some time and one day I was standing next to an embalmer and someone we knew asked him what happened to "joe", (just picked a name), and in his usual dry demeanor simply said, "he died". Talk about dry humor.

Texasjack, you mean they aren't actually health food? Shucks------

God Bless.

Ray