XENOBIOTIC

The notion of xenobiotic is formed from two Greek words: xeno (which can be translated as "strange" ) and bio (linked to "life" ). The concept, in this way, refers to those compounds that have a chemical structure that does not exist in nature, but has been developed by man in a laboratory.

Xenobiotics, therefore, are synthetic compounds. It can be said that they are chemical products that humans manufacture for different purposes: they can be treated from pesticides to drugs used for therapeutic purposes. In short, xenobiotics are chemical compounds that do not belong to the natural composition of living organisms.

Although xenobiotics can degrade through oxidation or solar radiation, for example, their unusual characteristics mean that, in some cases, they remain unchanged for very long periods. Therefore, given the impossibility of biodegradation, many xenobiotics are highly polluting.

It is important to bear in mind that xenobiotics usually generate consequences in living beings, beyond the different levels of toxicity that they may present.

Other data of interest about xenobiotics are the following:

• As a general rule, they have appeared in our lives and have been shaped in the last century.
• When they have the peculiarity that they can remain unchanged over time, they are called recalcitrant. This characteristic they possess is due to the fact that they have a highly stable chemical structure.
• As a general rule, they have a non-polar structure.
• Among the most popular xenobiotics, most present in our lives and that have managed to develop the most in recent years are pesticides. These, as their name suggests, are the compounds and substances that are intended to prevent, control or combat pests. In this way, what they do is protect man, animals and the environment in general.
• At the health level, xenobiotics, which are drugs and used to treat serious diseases such as cancer, take special relevance.
• Even as weapons these compounds that concern us can be used. This would be the case, for example, of the one known as sarin. This is an organophosphate-type compound, similar to insecticides and pesticides, which has great toxicity and is distributed throughout the environment, through the air. It has the peculiarity that it has neither color nor smell. So much so that already, in some conflict, it has been used as a chemical weapon. And it is that whoever comes into contact with him begins to suffer blurred vision, vomiting, tearing eyes, increased heart rate.

Certain xenobiotics, such as veterinary drugs or pesticides, can appear in the production of certain foods. In this case, these are contaminants that affect milk and other products and whose elimination by industrial action is often not possible. That is why it is common for States to set regulations to limit the presence of residues in food, preventing marketing when certain brands are exceeded. In addition, controls are established in the early stages of production.