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Asked by Marta-Canado to Anais, katy, Lauren, Richard, Stuart on 14 Mar 2016.
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Anais Kahve answered on 14 Mar 2016:
Technically, absolutely everything on the planet can affect humans, it just depends on the dose. This is what toxicology is all about. For example, if you eat enough soil from the ground – I’m talking kilos of soil – then you will die because it will block your stomach and your intestines (I don’t suggest you do this). If you drink too much water you will die, etc. That’s why I find toxicology so interesting because it’s so relatable to everyday life.
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Richard Friend answered on 14 Mar 2016:
Yeah, as Anais says, everything can be toxic if you take too much of it. Including air! If you hyperventilate you can pass out as your body can’t deal with it. You actually need a small amount of carbon dioxide in your lungs for them to work properly.
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Stuart Atkinson answered on 15 Mar 2016:
That’s right, practically anything can be toxic. Fruit seeds contain a chemical called amygdalin and in the body this can be broken down to create cyanide, which is highly toxic. However, you’d need to eat a shed load of apples to poison yourself, and I don’t think there is a record of this ever happening!
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Lauren Laing answered on 15 Mar 2016:
Hi,
Yes, as all the other scientists have said, almost anything can become toxic in really high amounts, even things which are essential for your survival.
An example of toxicity caused by the over consumption of an essential compound is water intoxication. Also known as water poisoning, this is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function. These effects are caused as a result of the normal balance of electrolytes in the body being pushed outside safe limits by over hydration, or drinking too much water!
This would require drinking a LOT of water though, so of course drinking plenty of water is really important.
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