Question

1) What problems are involved in using sunscreens and describe what is happening internally to someone who has “the bends” and What are the two different types of asbestos and what is the difference in their effects on exposure?

Answer 1

The sunscreens that we use either use a mineral barrier or a chemical one to protect our skin from sun damage. Minerals used to create a physical barrier to protect the skin are titanium oxide or zinc oxide. Chemicals used in sunscreen include octocrylene, homosalate, avobenzone, octisalate, oxybenzone etc. There may be a an allergy reactions due to these chemicals. Further, these ingredients may cross into skin and other tissue and hence raise special concerns because the scientific study has shown these chemicals may interfere with hormone processes in the body and thyroid. They are also demonstrated to be endocrine and estrogenic disruptors.

The Bend is a decompression sickness affecting scuba divers, astronauts and aviators due to the reduction in the pressure surrounding a body resulting in inadequate decompression after exposure to increased pressure. During a dive the body tissues of a scuba diver absorbs nitrogen from the breathing the gas due to high surrounding pressure. When he surfaces after a dive the pressure is reduced quickly and the nitrogen comes out of solution and forms bubbles in the tissues and bloodstream. This is presumed reason of the joint known as the "bend."

Six naturally occurring minerals are collectively given a generic name asbestos. They can be divided into two groups; serpentine and amphibole. These two groups differ in their physical characteristics. Serpentine asbestos are layered and amphibole asbestos has a chain-like structure. Exposure of serpentine asbestos cause carcinogenicity. Even little exposure of amphibole asbestos cause cause mesothelioma.