Environment (45.

33% prevalence):
Harmful Long term effects to aquatic
life
(NCBI)
Effects of APAP on aquatic life, a study
done by the National Institutes of
Health in 2013 revealed
Levels of APAP in aquatic habitats have
negative long term effects on the
aquatic species under study. Outlining
What’s the Harm: an
major issues within the shared
environmental perspective
ecological environment of varies
In England 2002, during the production of
species of organisms.
390,954.26 kg of APAP was found present
(Antunes S.C., et al, 2013)
Chemical Properties
in the environment. (NCBI)
♦Molecular weight:
151.165g/mol
>APAP undergoes thermal
♦Formal charge: 0
decomposition, producing toxic fumes of
♦Polar Surface: 𝟒𝟗. 𝟒𝟐
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and
nitrogen oxides. (NCBI) ♦Most likely Combustible,
♦Reactivities and
>Hazardous decomposition products Incompatibilities: oxidizing
formed agents (NCBI)
- Carbon oxides
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx) (NCBI)
Physical Properties
♦Odorless, colorless white
crystalline solid.
♦Slightly bitter taste
♦pH Saturated aqueous
solution: 5.5-6.5
♦Boiling point: >500 °C
♦Melting point: 336 to 342°
F (27.56%): Eye Contact-Causes serious damage by
♦Water Solubility: 14000
mg/L (at 25 °C)
♦Very slightly soluble in
cold water, soluble in
boiling water
♦Freely soluble in alcohol;
slightly soluble in ether;
practically insoluble in
petroleum ether
(NCBI)
Uses
PRINCIPAL USE IS MEDICINAL,
Acetaminophen (APAP) is commonly used as a
drug to treat mild-to-moderate pain and for fever
reduction. (NCBI)
Health hazards: Percent Prevalence
(98.67%): Oral ingestion-harmful-toxic reaction to
oral cavities
(28%): Skin contact-causes skin irritation/corrosion-
irreversible damage to the skin/irritation
irritation-(a reaction that causes inflammation and
itchiness compromising cell activity)
(11.11%): Inhalation-Respiratory irritation to lung
tissues-compromising gas exchange (NCBI)
Human Drug Toxicity
Hepatic (Liver) injury occurs 24 to 72 hours after
the ingestion (see toxicity values below) of more
than 4 g per day. If additional liver problems
present, the daily dose is reduced to 3 g.
Drug is metabolized in the liver therefore
enzymes that perform this task increase.
Toxicity Values
Toxicity > 10 g Hepatotoxicity (liver) 4-10 g
Fatalities rare < 15 g (NIDDK)
Chemical Basis of Toxicity
˃Acetaminophen is largely converted
to nontoxic glucoronate.
˃A minor amount is metabolized to
intermediates that can be toxic,
particularly N-acetyl-p-
benzoquinoneimine.
˃Normally, this intermediate is
changed to glutathione.
˃If this pathway is overwhelmed by
high doses of acetaminophen the
intermediate will accumulate and lead
to cell injury. (NIDDK)
˃Goal of APAP overdose treatment is
to increase this non-toxic version of
APAP- Glutathione : chemical formula:
C10H17N3O6S
˃N-acetylcysteine (chemical class
Cysteine) is used as treatment to
increase levels of Glutathione by
making drugs more soluble to be
excreted through the bloodstream.
˃Like cysteine, glutathione contains
the thiol (-SH) group that makes it an
effective antioxidant-which means it
detoxifies harmful substances to
prevent cellular damage to liver cells
(NCBI)
What does this mean to
society?
Data from 2005 revealed Toxic Exposure
Surveillance System that
“among all poison center calls involving
acetaminophen-containing products, 6.3%
(3,845/61,289) of those requiring
treatment could be attributed to
overdosing on OTC combination
products”. (Ganley, 2009, p.15)
Annual statistics:
>56,000 Emergency department visits
>2,6000 hospitalization
>Approx. 458
APAP overdose accounts for ½ on the
non-long term cases liver failure
(Mercola, 2014)
Acetaminophen (APAP) is the
leading cause of liver failure, its
overuse is perpetuated by its well
tolerated therapeutic effects
Food and Drug administration (FDA): References
>Working on solutions to reduce levels of APAP in Antunes S.C., Freitas R., Figueira
medications to improve safeguards against E., Gonçalves F., Nunes B. (2013)
overdose (Ganley, 2009) Biochemical effects of acetaminophen in
aquatic species: edible clams Venerupis
decussata and Venerupis philippinarum.
National Center for Biotechnology
Information (NCBI). 20(9):6658-66
Ganley, C. (2009). Acetaminophen
Overdose and Liver Injury — Background
and Options for Reducing Injury. Retrieved
1 November 2017, from
https://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/09/
briefing/2009-4429b1-01-FDA.pdf
Mercola, J. M. (2014). FDA Finally Changes
Prescription Recommendations for High-
Dose Acetaminophen. Retrieved 1
November 2017, from
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/a
rchive/2014/03/26/acetaminophen-
overdose.aspx
National Center for Biotechnology
Information (NCBI). PubChem Compound
Database. Retrieved 1 November 2017
from,
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/copumd
/1083
National institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney diseases (NIDDK).
https://www.slideshare.net/EbeySoman/acetaminophen-apap- Acetaminophen. Retrieved 1 November
toxicity-clinical-cases-diagnosis-pathology-treatments-and-patient- 2017, from
education
https://livertox.nlm.nih.gov//Acetaminophe
n.htm#insert