Describe+two+ways+chemicals+are+used+in+each+of+the+following.+Medicine,+food+preservatives,+crop+yield+and+sanitation?+(West)

Chemicals; A chemical is created when two or more elements are combined such as acetaminophen, ammonia, or even something like Pepsi. Chemicals can be used in many, many, different ways. Such as being combined to create medicine, being used to preserve food, to improve crop yield and for sanitation purposes.

Chemicals in Medicine; Acetaminophen is one example of a chemical that is used in medicine. Ibuprofen is another example. Acetaminophen is another. Acetaminophen is the chemical which is used in medications such as Tylenol. It is preferred more than Aspirin because it does not have as man questionable side effects as aspirin, like stomach irritation and intestinal bleeding. When taken in the right dose, Acetaminophen is safe, but an overdose could be possibly deadly. Ibuprofen is also used for pain relief. It is also used as an alternative to Aspirin.



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Chemicals in Food Preservation; Chemicals are used in foods to destroy microorganisms, and preserve them. Two common and permitted chemicals are sodium benzoate and calcium. These are both used to destroy microorganisms in food. Although they may be potentially dangerous if in high levels, they are safe in small doses like in food. Also, salt and sugar are used. They combine with the water in food so that microorganisms do not affect it.

Chemicals in Crop Yield; Obviously, a main way that chemicals affect crop yield is through their use in pesticides. Mercury and phosphorous are two elements. Mercury is used fungicides while phosphorus may be used in rodenticides. Fungicides are used to kill fungus, while rodenticides are used to kill rodents.

Chemicals in Sanitation; One type of sanitation in which chemicals are used is water treatment. Coagulation involves adding a chemical, such as alum, to water. During this process, unwanted material comes together and is able to be extracted more easily. Another process in which chemicals are used is called chlorination. The chlorine used in chlorination may actually improve coagulation. By adding chlorine to the water, many bacteria and microorganisms are destroyed.



Meyer, B. R. (2011). Acetaminophen. In Encyclopedia Americana. Retrieved February 3, 2011, from Grolier Online http://ea.grolier.com/article?id=0002380-00&product_id=ea

 Peterson, M. S. (2011). Food Preservation. In Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 3, 2011, from Grolier Online http://gme.grolier.com/article?id=0109340-0&product_id=gme

 Bogert, C. L. (2011). Water Supply. In Encyclopedia Americana. Retrieved February 12, 2011, from Grolier Online http://ea.grolier.com/article?id=0411550-00&product_id=ea

 Peterson, M. S. (2011). Food Preservation. In Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 12, 2011, from Grolier Online http://gme.grolier.com/article?id=0109340-0&product_id=gme

 Rudd, R. L. (2011). Pesticide. In Encyclopedia Americana. Retrieved February 13, 2011, from Grolier Online http://ea.grolier.com/article?id=0309310-00&product_id=ea

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;"> Ibuprofen. (2011). In Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 13, 2011, from Grolier Online http://gme.grolier.com/article?id=0145445-0&product_id=gme

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