Betsy Sasha Biggers

Chemistry 1110

Molecules Around Me
Product One: Carnation Instant Breakfast
1. Compound: dicalcium phosphate
Molecular formula: CaHPO4
Organic/inorganic: inorganic
2.

Compound: magnesium hydroxide

Molecular formula: Mg(OH)2
Organic/inorganic: inorganic

3.

Compound: copper gluconate

Molecular formula: C12H22CuO14
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

Toxicity: Copper gluconate is most hazardous as an irritant when it comes in contact

with the eyes, or is inhaled or ingested in large amounts; it is only a slight irritant upon
contact with skin. Side effects from too much copper gluconate may include respiratory
difficulty, chest pain, stomach upset, rash, or hives. No information on carcinogenic,
teratogenic, or mutagenic properties is available.
4.

Compound: sodium ascorbate

Molecular formula: C6H7NaO6
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

5.

Compound: zinc oxide

Molecular formula: ZnO

Organic/inorganic: inorganic
Product Two: Jell-O Gelatin Dessert
6. Compound: adipic acid
Molecular formula: C6H10O4
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

7.

Compound: disodium phosphate

Molecular formula: Na2HPO4
Organic/inorganic: inorganic

8.

Compound: butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

Molecular formula: C11H16O2
Organic/inorganic: organic
Toxicity: BHA is known to be hazardous if contact is made with skin or eyes, or if it is
inhaled, potentially causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, and severe
respiratory tract irritation. BHA can affect the central nervous system provoking
problems with voluntary muscle movement, respiration, and altered sleep time. As far as
carcinogenic and mutagenic properties, it is classified as 2B: possibly carcinogenic for
humans, and does prove mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast. There is evidence of health
and behavioral problems in people who have trouble metabolizing BHA.
Structure:

9.

Compound: disodium citrate

Molecular formula: C6H6Na2O7
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

10. Compound: fumaric acid

Molecular formula: C4H4O4
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

Product Three: Equate Medicated Dandruff Shampoo

11. Compound: ammonium chloride
Molecular formula: NH4Cl
Organic/inorganic: inorganic
12. Compound: sodium hydroxide
Molecular formula: NaOH
Organic/inorganic: inorganic
Toxicity: Sodium hydroxide as a solid is corrosive and can cause many health concerns.
It is known to cause burns to skin and eyes, and can cause permanent gastrointestinal
damage if ingested. Side effects of ingestion include severe pain, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, and possibly shock. If inhaled, sodium hydroxide can cause severe irritation of
the respiratory tract, causing burns, coughing, breathing difficulty and possibly coma.
13. Compound: cocamidopropyl betaine
Molecular formula: C19H38N2O3
Organic/inorganic: organic

Structure:

14. Compound: menthol

Molecular formula: C10H20O

Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

15. Compound: selenium disulfide

Molecular formula: SeS2
Organic/inorganic: inorganic
Product Four: Queen Helene Oatmeal and Honey Natural Face Scrub
16. Compound: stearic acid
Molecular formula: C16H36O2
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

17. Compound: isopropyl myristate

Molecular formula: C17H34O2
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

18. Compound: propylene glycol

Molecular formula: C3H8O2
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

19. Compound: methylparaben

Molecular formula: C8H8O3
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

20. Compound: triethanolamine

Molecular formula: C6H15NO3
Organic/inorganic: organic
Toxicity: Triethanolamine is hazardous in case of skin contact, causing burning pain and
itching. Prolonged exposure can lead to ulceration or necrosis of the skin. It may also
permeate through the skin and be absorbed systemically. Triethanolamine is a slight
irritatnt to the eyes, skin, digestive and respiratory tracts, with effects including vomiting,
diarrhea, transient corneal injury, and lung irritation. There is no information to classify
triethanolamine as carcinogenic, though it has shown to be mutagenic for mammalian
somatic cells.
Structure:

Product 5: Vicks VapoRub

21. Compound: Camphor
Molecular formula: C10H16O
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

22. Compound: dimethicone

Molecular formula: (C2O6OSi)n
Organic/inorganic: organic

Structure:

23. Compound: glycerin

Molecular formula: C3H8O3
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

24. Compound: thymol

Molecular formula: C10H14O
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

25. Compound: titanium dioxide

Molecular formula: TiO2
Organic/inorganic: inorganic
Toxicity: Titanium dioxide is rather harmless. It can be a slight irritant with skin
contact, but there are no know carcinogenic properties in humans and there is no
absorption through the digestive tract if ingested, though it may cause slight digestive
irritation by means of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Unsurprisingly, titanium dioxide can
irritate the respiratory tract if inhaled.
Product 6: Maximum Strength Tylenol Sore Throat
26. Compound: acetaminophen
Molecular formula: C8H9NO2
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

27. Compound: propylene glycol

Molecular formula: C3H8O2
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

28. Compound: sodium benzoate

Molecular formula: NaC7H5O2
Organic/inorganic: organic
Toxicity: Alarmingly, as widely used as sodium benzoate is, it has numerous hazardous
indications. Like many compounds, sodium benzoate can cause irritation of the skin,
eyes, and respiratory tract. It also has the potential to affect the central nervous system
which can lead to tremors, convulsions, motor impairment, and behavioral changes.
Prolonged exposure or repeated ingestion can affect the liver, metabolism, blood and
urinary system. Add reproductive and birth defects to the list of hazards for this product.
Structure:

29. Compound: sorbitol

Molecular formula: C6H14O6
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure:

30. Compound: citric acid

Molecular formula: C6H8O7
Organic/inorganic: organic
Structure: