The effect of tin in the tin box on the human body and the environment
Tin in the environment
Tin oxide is insoluble and the ore strongly resists weathering, so the amount of tin in soils and natural waters is low. The concentration in soils is generally between the range 1-4 ppm but some soils have less that 0.1 ppm while peats can have as much 300 ppm.
There are few tin-containing minerals, but only one is of commercial significance and that is cassiterite. The main mining area to be found in the tin belt which goes from China through Thailand, Brima and Malaysia to the islands of Indonesia. Malaysia produces 40% of the world's tin. Other important tin mining area are Bolivia and Brazil. Global production is in excess of 140.000 tonnes per year and workable reserves amount to more 4 million tonnes. Tin concetrates are produces in around 130.000 tonnes per year.
Tin is mainly applied in various organic substances. The organic tin bonds are the most dangerous forms of tin for humans. Despite the dangers they are applied in a great number of industries, such as the paint industry and the plastic industry, and in agriculture through pesticides. The number of applications of organic tin substances is still increasing, despite the fact that we know the consequences of tin poisoning.
The effects of organic tin substances can vary. They depend upon the kind of substance that is present and the organism that is exposed to it. Triethyltin is the most dangerous organic tin substance for humans. It has relatively short hydrogen bonds. When hydrogen bonds grow longer a tin substance will be less dangerous to human health. Humans can absorb tin bonds through food and breathing and through the skin.The uptake of tin bonds can cause acute effects as well as long-term effects.
Acute effects are:
- Eye and skin irritations
- Headaches
- Stomachaches
- Sickness and dizziness
- Severe sweating
- Breathlessness
- Urination problems
Long-term effects are:
- Depressions
- Liver damage
- Malfunctioning of immune systems
- Chromosomal damage
- Shortage of red blood cells
- Brain damage (causing anger, sleeping disorders, forgetfulness and headaches)
Tins as single atoms or molecules are not very toxic to any kind of organism, the toxic form is the organic form. Organic tin components can maintain in the environment for long periods of time. They are very persistent and not fairly biodegradable. Microrganisms have a great deal of trouble breaking down organic tin compounds that have accumulated on water soils for many years. The concentrations of organic tins still rise due to this.
Organic tins can spread through the water systems when adsorbed on sludge particles. They are known to cause a great deal of harm to aquatic ecosystems, as they are very toxic to fungi, algae and phytoplankton. Phytoplankton is a very important link in the aquatic ecosystem, as it provides other water organisms with oxygen. It is also an important part of the aquatic food chain.
There are many different types of organic tin that can vary greatly in toxicity. Tributyltins are the most toxic tin components to fish and fungi, whereas trifenyltin is much more toxic to phytoplankton.
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