Polluted air is nothing but an strange aerosol made of particulates, organic nanoparticles and other hydrocarbon constituents and this mix has an own vapour pressure when relative humidity is very high (especially in tropical industrialised countries like all the States overlooking the Mediterranean Basin) or an own peculiar surface pressure when relative humidity is low (this case is very rare nowadays owing to the Global Warming and Greenhouse effect).
Aim of our research is to highlight the responsibility thiocyanates which are present in this corrupted aerosol, that is our polluted atmosphere, have with regards to human health, depending on the heat and humidity, trying to explain the concern using the Eötvös’ rule.
First of all thiocyanates, like perchlorates or nitrates, commonly present in the polluted atmosphere of metropolis or industrialised areas, may dramatically affect thyroid function in humans. Foetuses and infants are most vulnerable to these effects because they need thyroid hormone for normal neurodevelopment. All the aforesaid chemical substances are competitive inhibitors of the sodium/iodine symporter (NIS) in pharmacologic doses, but their effects on human thyroid function at environmental exposure levels may be considered very risky when exposure to them is prolonged [1].
A very impressive study conducted by German researchers asserts that the concentration of thiocyanates in air is dependent from antithyroid properties and a role in the etiology of goiter was been suggested in several prior studies. In 1991 an epidemiological survey conducted in the region of Halle/Leipzig (Saxony), an area with significant air pollution, suggested an inverse relationship between urinary iodine (I-)/SCNs- excretion and goiter prevalence. 10 years later, the AA reinvestigated the same industrial area to clarify if the situation had changed after the elimination of most industrial waste products albeit they had to state that the levels of urine SCNs- were important meanwhile iodine was not present in urine [2].
Now, since thiocyanates are present in manifold plant foods such as cassava, cabbage, turnips, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower, rocket salad (arugula), it has been argued that diets high in thiocyanates can be part of the reason someone develops goiter (enlarged thyroid) in parts of the world where there is not enough iodine in the diet, independently from the atmospheric pollution.
Even tobacco smoking constitutes a significant source of indoor air pollution. Various chemical compounds that are emitted during tobacco smoking can have a direct cytotoxic effect on spermatozoa by damaging DNA. There is some evidence that tobacco smoking in men could affect male fertility [3].
For sake of clarity it must be stressed that even in female the danger is not to be underestimated: it is known that women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to babies with low thyroid hormone levels in their blood. Women in the first trimester of pregnancy have lower thyroid hormone levels when they are smokers vs. non-smokers. A recent study showed that cigarette smoking lowers the amount of iodine in breast milk. And this is to be attributed to the thiocyanates [3].
Our attention was mainly focused on the indoor and outdoor presence of thiocyanates, as possible latent cause of hypothyroidism, hypogonadism , since it is undeniable that countries that produce massive harvests of turnips and cabbages (and consequently are usual big consumers of these aliments), people who love to consume mustard (Germans and British) or horseradish (the inhabitants of some reasons of Central Europe and Scandinavia and more recently people form Illinois, Wisconsin and California where Armoracia rusticana is considered a delicacy) use to excrete thiocyanates by urine, perspiration insensibilis and flatulence, but the incidence of these diseases is not the same at all, with regard to the latitude and temperature and humidity of the country itself.
China and Uzbekistan, for instance, are the greatest producers and consumers of turnips, even Russia and many countries of North and East Europa are too, and presence of thiocyanates in air vary depending on the country they are measured.
Even the competent authorities dictates standard levels for the presence of thiocyanates in air, for instance: OSHA allows 10 ppm, NIOSH permits levels never trespass 4,7 ppm and so even ACGIH: never over 4,7 ppm.
It must be considered the difference of climate of the countries where thiocyanates are measured, and even if values seem to be highest in coldest regions, it is not to underestimate the Eötvös’ rule.
This equation enables the prediction of the surface tension of an arbitrary liquid or volatile solid or a mist of gaseous nanoparticles or an aerosol of liquids in gases of pure substances at all temperatures. The density, the molar mass and the critical temperature of the substance have to be known, keeping on account that at the critical point the surface tension is zero.
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