Below are the Fall 2022 REEL abstracts from my REEL students. The students did a fantastic job with their research and their presentations. Congratulations!!!!
Lead Concentrations in Field Grown and Greenhouse Grown Cucumbers
Grace Moon
Lead is a heavy metal that causes many negative side effects when consumed over a certain concentration threshold. This study investigates the relationship between lead contamination and growing methods in cucumbers. The initial hypothesis is that there will be a higher concentration of lead in cucumbers grown in greenhouses rather than in a field. Samples were procured in the Chardon, Ohio area. Said samples were then subjected to mashing, combustion, acid digestion, vacuum filtration, centrifugation, and syringe filtration before being analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy and compared to a set of standards created with lead (II) nitrate that were analyzed in the same manner. Lead was found in the field grown sample rather than in the greenhouse grown sample. While this was the opposite of the previous research and this study’s hypothesis, it is likely that Ohio’s use of lead-based paint contributed to the lead uptake in the cucumber samples through runoff. However, the concentration of lead detected is within the safe range of ingestion for most people. This study suggests that it would be beneficial to investigate the lead contamination of farming soil and food crops grown in them further.
The Determination of Mercury in Cosmetic Setting Powder containing Talc
Rhonda S. Walker
The significance of this research is to evaluate and determine the contamination of mercury within cosmetic setting powders that contain talc. The evaluation of mercury was determined by analyzing two different brands of cosmetic setting powder. The first brand of setting powder is “Fit Me” cosmetics and the second brand “Sacha” setting powder. Although talc is a natural mineral, it can contain elements such as mercury that influence various health risks even when exposed in low concentrations. Exposure to mercury can cause disturbances in immune processes such as the body’s ability to recognize and destroy antigens, dyspnea, and detrimental changes in organ functioning (1).
Determination of Phthalates in Lip Balm
Nicholas Kelsh
Determining the presence of specific compound in an unknown sample can shed light on what type of compounds are in the products we use. Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) is a common method used to determine what compounds could be found in a sample. By testing for specific compound in a sample and in a spiked sample, the precent recovery can be determined with the help of stock standards. In this experiment phthalates will be determined with the use of GC-MS in lip balm. The several standards were made to compare against the samples tested. One of the lip balms, total hydration lip balm, test returned with a precent recovery of 44% for dimethyl phthalate. This is indicative of the presence of phthalates in lip balms. Phthalates are endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) and can cause serious health problems if exposed. Determining the concentration of phthalates can give us an idea of how much phthalates are being used in products and what direction future studies should take.
Arsenic Concentrations in California Wine
Elizabeth A. Zadinsky
Arsenic is found in the soil of various environments. This leads to the contamination in ground water that supplies the water for foods we consume. Crops grown with water contaminated with arsenic leads to people unintentionally ingesting the contaminant. Arsenic is a carcinogen, and continuous ingestion of arsenic can lead to many human health conditions such as the development of cancer, neurological ailments, toxicity of various organ systems (including pulmonary, renal, and integumentary systems) among other health concerns. Arsenic concentrations can be determined with an analytical technique using inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Other experimental methods are vacuum filtering, syringe filtering, centrifuging, and the use of hot plates to concentrate the wine. Arsenic was detected in both California wines that were tested. The levels detected were 6.3 times over the FDA limit and 12.3 times over the FDA’s 10 ppb limit. With these findings, it would be beneficial for people to avoid consumption of wine grown in areas that have the potential to be contaminated with arsenic.
Determination of Copper Concentrations in Dog Food
Mackenzie Campbell
Copper is added along with multiple other metals into most dog foods for nutrition. Within the last four years, there has been an increase in the discussion surrounding the link between dietary intake of copper and the fatal condition of copper-associated hepatitis. This experiment was launched to study two samples of dog food to determine their current copper concentration by using acid digestion, steps of different filtrations, and determining the copper amounts present by using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). These methods do confirm the presence of copper in the samples tested. However, past this confirmation, the data analyzed in this experiment cannot be confidently compared to limits and recommendations set in place by nutritional experts.
Determining Lead and Arsenic Concentrations in Fruit Juices Using ICP-MS
Samantha Lamvermeyer
It has been well-established that drinking water can be at risk of exposure to many different chemicals. The FDA has put strict regulations in place to prevent pollutants in drinking water and products possibly containing large amounts of contaminated water such as fruit juices. Exposure to Arsenic and Lead can cause serious health risks such as skin problems, cancers, and nervous system problems. Additionally, children are more susceptible to damage from lead as their brains are still developing. They are at risk of learning developments, hearing and speech problems, and other behavioral/medical issues. They also consume more juice than adults which could lead to more exposure to these chemicals. It is in the best interest of the public that these products are evaluated for their toxic chemical, and particularly, toxic metal content. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) two different types of juices, and two juice concentrates were analyzed for their lead and arsenic content. Some amount of arsenic and lead were found in these samples, but all were well below the FDA’s limit of 10 parts per million (ppm). The products tested in this experiment were deemed safe to consume.
Determination of Potential Presence of Lead in Muscle Milk
Espoir M. Toyambi
Lead contamination in dietary products and related side effects have become a popular field of study. Of many possible contaminated products, protein powder (Muscle milk) has been the subject of interest. Over the last decades, muscle milk has become a favorable option for health improvement. As its consumption rate increases, health officials and government agencies become concerned about potential lead exposure. These concerns are primarily due to recent findings linking lead exposure to a myriad of health issues, such as neurogenerative diseases (e.g., Dementia) and digestive tract complications. For these reasons, the present experimental study aims to detect and quantify lead concentration in muscle milk (MM) using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Initial results showed a small amount of lead concentration (1.05 ppm), which is about the allowed concentration in muscle milk according to the food and drug administration. Lead concentration in dietary products should be monitored consistently because of its side effects. Having that in mind, this experiment hopes to serve as additional data on the issue.
Are There Toxic Chemicals in Tea Leaves?
Caylon Williams
It is suggested that boiling tea leaves for drinking purposes may have originated in China years before Christ. However, the rest of the world was later introduced to the idea of drinking boiling water, infused with tea leaves, during the 1600s. In America today, tea beverages are known to be one of the most preferred drinks amongst millennials, and of course other individuals, but it is desired second to water. For the popularity of brewing tea, is consumption healthy for humans, or do they contain toxic chemicals like Cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As)? This research paper discusses the experimentation procedures used to determine whether there are detectable levels of the toxins, Cadmium and Arsenic, in one tea bag created by the Lipton Tea Company brand. The specialized instruments and techniques used to detect if these toxic chemicals were present, are discussed throughout this paper. In conclusion, the results generated calculations and equations to compare Cadmium and Arsenic levels, if any, were detected to the approved daily levels of consumption by the FDA.
Phthalate Concentrations in Water Bottles at Different Tempuratures
Michelle Aylyarov
This project was conducted to determine the presence of phthalates in 4 different brands of bottled water under different temperatures. Phthalates are man-made chemical substances used in the processing and packaging of most household products today. These chemicals are used to provide flexibility to plastics. Phthalates have been known to cause many harmful health complications; however, many people are unaware of these chemicals being used in almost all the products they buy or use. Samples from four different brands of water bottles were collected and tested for di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-n-hexyl (DEHP) using the Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) alongside a spiked sample to determine the concentration of phthalates in water sold in plastic bottles. The results of this experiment were deemed inconclusive due to possible contamination or instrument error. Further research on phthalates must be conducted to determine whether the temperature change of these plastics causes an increase in phthalate concentrations in the product. Despite the inconclusive result of this experiment, this project determined that there are trace amounts of phthalates found in the water. This project revealed many more unanswered questions about the chemicals used in these consumer products and whether they are cause for concern.
Lead and Aluminum Concentrations in Organic Red and Black Tattoo Inks
Nina Patti
The art of tattooing has been prevalent in nearly every culture for thousands of years. Although, regulations are still missing. The United States Food and Drug Administration has tattoo ink classified as cosmetic; however, they do not approve of the injection of the ink into the dermis. The presence of lead and aluminum in these inks has received attention due to the correlation between metal exposure and the exacerbation of various forms of allergic reactions and systemic infections (e.g., dermatitis). Inductively-coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was employed to analyze two, top-brand tattoo inks and to determine the presence of toxic metals in the samples. Aluminum was detected in both colors of Dynamic Color Company’s Ink. Higher levels of aluminum concentration were detected in the black ink when compared to the red (nearly double the concentration). The concentration of lead was negligible in both colors of ink. As high levels and long-term exposure of aluminum and lead pose significant health concerns, these findings have the potential to inform professional tattoo artists, medical professionals, and consumers decisions regarding ink products best for their health and safety.
The Determination of Melamine in Protein Powders
Marcus Robinson
Melamine is ubiquitous in our society and has several industrial uses. The presence and concentration levels of melamine in food products, such as infant formula, powdered and liquid milk, and other foods raises concerns. There have been immediate concerns after the several cases of illnesses in infants in the toxicity of melamine concentration in infant formulas. Although there is little information about the health effects of high dose amounts of melamine to human health, it still raises concerns to what exactly happens to adults who unknowingly consume high amounts of melamine. Melamine directly in low amounts does not cause harm to adults, but to infants and children it does. Melamine is not FDA approved to be added to food that is consumed, but it was found to be added in milk products to raise the protein content. Which led to the determination of melamine in commercially available protein powders. Employing experimental methods involving High- Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Ultraviolet Light (UV) and analytical chemistry methodology, melamine concentration levels were determined in the commercially available protein samples. All the tested protein powders had some level of concentration of melamine. Furthermore, the highest level of melamine concentration came from the Gold Standard Whey Protein Powder. With limited evidence in human exposures and findings coming from animal studies, the toxicity regarding melamine in high dosages causes urinary stones, acute renal failure, stone formation, and kidney problems.
Determination of Phthalate Presence in Common Brands of Tea Bags
Jordan Miller
Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) commonly referred to as phthalates are common plasticizers used to make plastics more flexible. They can be found in a number of everyday items including cosmetics and paints, though they have also been found in consumables such as hot brewed tea. PAEs are known endocrine disruptors, and have also been found to negatively affect the reproductive and respiratory systems as well. One potential source of phthalates can be found in the plastic materials used in tea bags. Through the use of GC-MS, four common brands of tea were tested for phthalate levels in hot brewed teas. Of the four brands tested, none of them showed signs indicating the presence of phthalates.
The Determination of Phthalates in Common Brand Facial Moisturizers
Devine Shelton, Cleveland State University
Phthalates is a chemical that has harmful effects to the environment and humans. People come into contact with phthalates from products such as food packaging, cleaning supplies and cosmetics. Phthalates are more often used in cosmetics despite regulation instilled by the FDA, EPA and laws that were put in effect over the years. This study focuses on dimethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate in CeraVe and La Roche Posay facial moisturizers. These two brands were tested through gas-chromatography liquid chromatography (GC-LS). Phthalates were detected in both brands of facial moisturizers. Through data calculation and analysis the results are determined to be inconclusive due to inability to determine error from true lack of detection.
Investigating the Presence of BPA, BPS, and BPF in Canned Tomato Soup
Aaleah M. Krone
Bisphenols A (BPA) is a base material that is used in food packaging to produce polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin. An investigation was performed on canned tomato soup concentrate to determine the presence of bisphenols A, F and S within the concentrate. With the use of High-performance Liquid Chromatography, Serial Dilution, centrifuge and excel for calculations, it is determined that BPA is not found within the un-spiked sample of canned tomato soup concentrate. The calculated weight of the compound bisphenol A, bisphenol F and bisphenol S in conjunction with the FDA’s ingestion limit for BPA, was too low, to confidently say that the compounds are present in the sample.
Investigating the leaching of Bisphenol-A, Bisphenol-F, and Bisphenol-S, from plastic K-Cups during coffee brewing.
Bryce L. Tipton
The goal of this research paper is to investigate the possible leaching of Bisphenol-A, F, and S from K-Cups during coffee brewing. This experiment was conducted using two different samples from two different manufacturers. Neither sample had any documentation of being BPA-free and was tested almost identically. Standards were created using Acetonitrile, BPA, BPF, and BPS at varying concentrations to establish a Base-Line curve for 230 nm and 265 nm. Statistical analysis was conducted on the dataset to determine the viability of the standard data collected. Both a spiked and unspiked sample was obtained and run through HPLC. The results of the HPLC analysis on the unknown samples indicate that the coffee itself might play a role in the absorption of the Bisphenols in solution and imply that additional testing is required to validate the results.
Determination of Aluminum in Aluminum-Free Deodorant
By Tyler Green
Popular deodorant brand Old Spice is currently in a $5 million dollar lawsuit over customers receiving burns and rashes along their arms from the aluminum in the deodorant. Aluminum is used in most deodorants as an anti-perspirant. The aluminum clogs the pores of the skin, stopping sweat from coming out. These pores then swell and irritate the skin which is what causes the rashes and inflammation. This experiment was done to test if Old Spice’s aluminum-free deodorant really is free of aluminum. The results showed that there is aluminum in aluminum-free deodorant, but is it a significant amount?