Exam 2: Case Studies Flashcards
What is a biocide?
A chemical substance or microorganism intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on a harmful organism
What is the difference between a biocide and a pesticide?
Pesticides often kill the good and the bad, while biocides encompass the elimination of biological threats only
What are biocides used for?
Disinfectants, preservatives, pest control
How are biocides used in health care?
Used to disinfect surfaces, sterilize equiptment, decontaminate skin
How are biocides used in the food industry?
Used in disinfectants, treatment of water, preservatives
What percentage of pollination worldwide is performed by honey bees?
80%
What is the reduction percentage of the honey bee population?
60% since 1947; 30% since 2006
What is colony collapse disorder (CCD)?
The sudden loss of adult bees from the hive
What are the 2 main causes of CCD?
Pesticides and loss of habitat
Which specific insecticide has been shown to cause acute and chronic poisoning of the bee population?
Neonicatinoid
What are some potential side effects of pesticide poisoning?
Endocrine disruption, memory loss, reduced motor skills, damage to immune system, interrupted fetal development, burning lungs, blistered skins, cancer
Which pesticide causes male frogs to turn into females?
Atrazine
What is Sulfamethoxazole?
An antibiotic used to treat a variety of infections (urinary, respiratory, intestinal); paired with trimethoprim to increase efficiency
What are some impacts of Sulfamethoxazole?
Delays cell growth, inhibits denitrification
What is Levoquin (Levofloxacin)?
A type of fluoroquinone antibiotic used to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, plague, anthrax, and infections of the kidney, skin, sinuses, prostate, and bladder
What are some potential side effects of Levoquin?
Nerve damage, tendinitis, tendon rupture
What is estrogen?
A group of steroid hormones that promote the development of female characteristics in the body
What is a chemical weapon?
A type of weapon that uses chemicals intended to harm or kill others
Which war was considered to be “the chemist’s war”?
WWI
Chlorine Gas
“Bertholite”; yellowish-green, rarely occurs naturally
Phosgene Gas
Doesn’t occur naturally, smells like musty hay
Zyklon B
Hydrogen cyanide or prussic acid, first used as a pesticide; blood agent, halts cellular respiration
Sarin
The most recently used chemical weapon, nerve agent; treated with atropine
