The Use of Inorganic Food and Cellophane - Essay Example

Task: Position essay With an ever-increasing population, man has improvised many ways to deal with the high demand for food.The discovery of inorganic food production and cellophane had a major impact on human life. However, the health implications of these foods have been constantly inspected. Whether these foods are safe for consumption or not, is still debatable. In as much as cellophane and inorganic foodstuffs have improved human life largely; they should be consumed with caution as chemicals residues from this products cause body harm and health complication.

Edwin Jacques, a Swiss engineer, discovered cellophane in 1900. Cellopharone is an organic substance, polysaccharide in nature (Carlisle 338). Being a constituent of plant cell walls, it is the commonly recognized organic substance. It is appropriate for foodstuff packing due to its limited permeability on various aspects. Cellophane is processed from extremely purified cellulose obtained from bleached sulphide pulp (Carlisle 338). In addition, cellophane is biodegradable, and thus ecologically friendly.

However, its processing causes air pollution. It is produced by employing carbon disulfide, found freely in the air. Carbon disulfide, under elevated concentrations, responds when exposed to other unstable chemicals thus forming smog in the atmosphere (Carlisle 338). It also injures ones sight and cause pain in several human systems. Cellophane product and use should be minimized because when produced in large quantity, they lead to environmental pollution and other health complications. Inorganic foods are foods, which are raised by the use of inorganic methods.

This is through the use of chemical compounds such as pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics and hormones (Carlisle 338). Foods raised in this way contain remnants of these chemicals which are dangerous to health. Inorganic foods are harmful to human consumption as herbicides and pesticides used to raise these crops are very toxic. When these chemicals build up in human bodies, they lead to diseases and other health complications. A good example is a herbicide called glyphosate commonly used for crop production (Carlisle 338).

A laboratory study done by scientists in France in the year 2005 proved that glyphosate destroyed completely human placental cells and abnormal embryonic cells. These chemicals lead to birth defects and cancers, in addition to crop and animal losses (Lawson). Inorganic chemicals lead to the gastrointestinal tract erosion, dysphagia, cardiovascular, kidney damage, gastrointestine haemorrhage and death (Lawson). Glufosinate also leads to complications during the delivery of a child. This is because it damages cells in the embryo by the process called apoptosis.

A research conducted by a renowned academic institution, Teikyo University, found demonstrated that glufosinate destroyed the building blocks of the brain. Synthetic substances are endocrine interrupters. These chemicals cause infertility by reducing sperm concentration and causing abnormal sperm development in males. Food additives such as tartrazine cause allergic reactions, headaches, asthma, impulsivity and stunted growth. Organic foodstuff manufacture is costly in comparison to inorganic food.

However, it has superior long term effects such as good health. In addition, organic food has more nutrients such as vitamin C and quality protein content. Furthermore, animals grown by use of organic methods are healthier than those reared through inorganic methods. Organic farming is also environmentally friendly. Not all inorganic foods are stained with other substances such as sewage and hormones; however, it is difficult to tell which ones are not. It is, therefore, advisable to avoid the consumption of inorganic food because of the risks they harbour.

Work Cited Lawson, Edward. Neonatal intensive care. Goldstein and associates publisher, 2005. Print. Carlisle, Rodney. Scientific American. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2004. Print.