Description and properties
Melamine. What it is? This is a chemical compound in the form of colorless crystals, which is based on triazine. It is almost insoluble in water and liquid solvents. Its melting point is 354 degrees. After reaching this mark, the decomposition process begins.
Scope of application
Only by using chromatography can it be determined that a particular material contains melamine. Many people know that this substance is used in the manufacturing process of adhesives, varnishes, plastics, herbicides, fertilizers and dyes. But few people know that some unscrupulous food manufacturers add it to their products. This is due to the fact that the compound is able to show a higher concentration of protein during testing. Surfaces containing this substance are highly resistant to mechanical stress and do not lose their characteristics even under the influence of the sun. In this regard, it can often be found in furniture, even in such an element as a countertop. Melamine is easy to clean, it is not afraid of cleaning using all kinds of cleaning products.
Danger
This compound is most widely used as the basis for the manufacture of plastics. The reason for this is very simple - plastic products do not break, have a high degree of strength and heat resistance, if they contain melamine. That this substance is dangerous to humans, if used for other purposes, few know. First of all, we are talking about the food industry. The fact is that plastic, when heated, as well as in contact with food and liquids, emits formaldehyde, so it is simply unacceptable to use the substance in the manufacture of dishes. Confirmation that melamine is harmful and dangerous to human health is a list of the consequences that it can cause. Among them are cancer, skin diseases, impaired reproductive abilities, respiratory tract irritation. It is highly likely that the outcome of acute poisoning (three grams of a substance per kilogram of weight) will be fatal in general.
World Content Standards
In the European Union, the allowable daily human melamine intake is set at 0.2 mg per 1 kg of body weight. The same indicator in Canada is 0.35 mg, in the United States - 0.063 mg. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, a safe daily amount of a substance for people is 0.2 mg / kg of body weight.
Melamine tableware
It is impossible not to emphasize the fact about the dishes, which contain melamine, that this is not formally prohibited in our country, despite the high toxicity and danger. It is envisaged that it can be used for decorative purposes. Along with this, there are requirements according to which cutlery and utensils must be labeled to indicate the presence of melamine in their composition. The case that occurred in 2008 in China was indicative. Then one of the enterprises producing dry infant formulas added a substance to its products. The result of these actions was the death of four babies. Two persons guilty of this were executed. Despite everything, now China remains the world's largest exporter of melamine. True, the local government reduced its production and tightened control over possible fraud.