ALLERGY: THE KNOWN CULPRITS
Substances that provoke an allergic reaction are called ‘Allergens’. The
‘list’ of allergens can be best described by the dictum that “Everything under the
sun including the Sun itself can act as a potential allergen”. This makes
our body a virtual ‘battle field’ with different allergens attacking from various
directions leading to various allergic manifestations.
Exogenic allergy is caused by various external allergens like dust, pollution,
industrial waste, chemicals, insecticides, pesticides, food like eggs, nuts, preservatives
etc. These allergens are actually just a ‘Tip of the Iceberg’. Our highly
polluted environment compels us to inhale and ingest various chemicals that are
potential allergens.
Allergens therefore appear to be unavoidable. We really can’t avoid dust, wheat
or sun. Even human mother’s milk has been proven to contain various pesticides that
are well recognized as allergens.
1
BIRTH
|
B.C.G + OPV
|
1½ - 2 months
|
O.P.V. (POLIO) + D.P.T. (TRIPLE)
|
2½ - 4 months
|
O.P.V. (POLIO) + D.P.T. (TRIPLE)
|
3½ - 6 months
|
O.P.V. (POLIO) + D.P.T. (TRIPLE)
|
8 - 12 months
|
Measles & Polio (5th dose)
|
15 - 18 months
|
M.M.R. (Measles –Mumps -Rubella)
|
18 - 24 months
|
Polio + D.P.T. (1st booster)
|
2 yrs.
|
Typhoid (Booster every 3 yrs)
|
4 - 6 yrs.
|
Polio + D.P.T. (2nd booster)
|
10 yrs.
|
T.T. (Booster). 5 - 10 yearly
|
|
Hepatitis B Booster
|
2
Like penicillin, aspirin, sulpha, vitamin B complex, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory,
anti-amoebic etc. are potent allergens.
Levels of DDT Residues in Human Milk Samples
Mean Std.
|
Whole Milk (ppm)
|
Milk Fat (mg/kg)
|
deviation
|
|
|
Range
|
0.176+ 0.382
|
7.28+ 23.2
|
Range
|
(0 to 2.245)
|
(0 to 154.90)
|
60 milk samples were collected within one week from delivery from lactating women
in the age group of 20 - 30 years and were analyzed by GC.
Levels of DDT & BHC Residues in Human Milk Samples
Mean Std.
|
Whole Milk (ppm)
|
Milk Fat (mg/kg)
|
DDT
|
0-0.34ppm
|
4.4mg/kg
|
BHC(Lindane)
|
0-0.38ppm
|
4.6mg/kg
|
Summary of ICMR (Indian Council Of Medical Research) 2001 Study
A 1996 study in Delhi found pesticide residues in mother’s milk, in infant blood(mg/l)
Pesticide Detected
|
Breast Milk
|
Newborn Infant blood
|
DDT
|
1.270
|
0.135
|
BHC
|
0.327
|
0.033
|
Source: Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), To Earth
Magazine Vol. 7, No. 16, January 15 1999.
Organochlorine Insecticides found in Human Fat
(before the restriction or ban on organochlorine insecticides)
Country
|
Insecticide
|
Amount (mg/kg)
|
UK
|
Total DDT Dieldrin
|
3.0
|
|
Dieldrin
|
0.2
|
USA
|
Total DDT
|
9.6
|
|
Dieldrin
|
0.1
|
India
|
otal DDT
|
31.0
|
|
Dieldrin
|
0.03
|
Organochlorine Insecticides found in Human Fat & Human Blood
Country
|
Human Fat
|
Human Blood
|
DDT
|
4.7-85 mg/kg
|
0.02-0.71 pmm
|
BHC (Lindane)
|
0-16.85 mg/kg
|
0-0.49 ppm
|
Summary of ICMR (Indian Council Of Medical Research) 2001 Study
4
Pollution is a major factor which gives rise to Allergies; a dangerous side effect
of our luxurious lifestyle.