Discussion Why are small amounts of sn dangerous if we eat in process meats?

[Kta1994]

Dont we also consume in small quantities then?

 

[EvisceratedJester]

Did you mean why are small amounts of SN in food if it's dangerous? If so, then the reason why is because, well, it's in small amounts. Small amounts of SN isn't dangerous and it provides protection form the formation of C. botulism in cured meats. How dangerous something is depends on factors, such as dosage or what compound it is in. There is a massive different between consuming 15g of 99.9% pure SN versus consuming small amounts of it when eating cured meats. A lot of the nitrate and nitrate compounds are also broken down and converted into safer compounds, too.

Dry-cured bacon only has 200ppm or 0.02% SN in it. The LD50 for SN is 71mg/kg.

Amounts of SN approved in foods by the FDA

 

[Just_Another_Person]

The concentration/purity is way lower (around 6% if I remember right) than the one spoken here. Also, there are some claims it is carcinogen so maybe it isn't "totally safe".

 

[maniac116]

It's used in miniscule amounts in cured meats & even in those small amounts it's not good for us. Many health conscious folks won't eat cured meats for that very reason.
It kills at the cellular level

 

[Sadgirl121]

Very small amounts in cures meats, compared to getting it in pure form to ctb

 

[rozeske]

The very small permissible ammount of sn in cured meat makes it not dangerous although clearly not healthy. Around 200mg of sodium nitrite is used in 1 kg meat and you only eat a few slice of that meat at ones. The lethal dose of sn is said to be between 700mg to 6g, although I think some data states it starts from around 300mg.

 

[Worndown]

Trace amounts of many hazardous things are safe. 10 mg...not safe!

 

[Plato'sCaveDweller]

The very small permissible ammount of sn in cured meat makes it not dangerous although clearly not healthy. Around 200mg of sodium nitrite is used in 1 kg meat and you only eat a few slice of that meat at ones. The lethal dose of sn is said to be between 700mg to 6g, although I think some data states it starts from around 300mg.

isn't it 22-30mg per kg of body weight for the lethal dose?

 

[rozeske]

isn't it 22-30mg per kg of body weight for the lethal dose?

I just refered to what some journals of sn poisonings had put as the lethal dose. I'm guessing they are based off of how sn works in our body and case reports, I'm not sure I haven't dived deep in to how they concluded that. But I think 22-30 mg/kg could be a bit more on the higher side? If you consider an average of 70kg, that's like 1540-2100 mg. I think much lesser sn has proven to be lethal.

 

[thenorthern]

Dont we also consume in small quantities then?

The poison is in the dose. Water can kill you as well.