Thanks to the "anonymous" little birdie:http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/files/9MelamineGGCosta.pdf National Toxicology Program (US)
Melamine/Cyanuric Acid
NTP Board of Scientific Counselors Meeting
June 11-18, 2008, Research Triangle Park, NC
Page 4-
Confirmation that the melamine used in the "wheat gluten" and "rice protein concentrate" was derived from scrap, containing who know what other toxins and/or contaminants.
Page 6-
Lethal Dose 50 (LD 50=large enough dose to kill at least 50% of all those receiving it) data on ingested melamine for rats and mice. For rabbits, applied to the skin (dermal).
LD 50 data on ingrested cyanuric acid for rats and applied dermally for rabbits.
The toxicity levels are compared to NaCL--sodium chloride--common or table salt:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_chloride Too much salt can be harmful or fatal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt Too much or too little salt in the diet can lead to muscle cramps, dizziness, or even an electrolyte disturbance, which can cause severe, even fatal, neurological problems.
Ingestion of large amounts of salt in a short time (about 1 g per kg of body weight) can be fatal. Salt solutions have been used in China as a traditional suicide method.
Page 7-
How the body processes melamine and cyanuric acid and the water solubility of melamine, cyanuric acid and melamine cyanurate.
http://www.sailhome.org/Concerns/BodyBurden/Synergistic.html Synergistic Toxicity--Toxins that make each other more toxic.
Page 9-
Updated risk assessment called for--keep in mind this was before the current "melamilk" crisis began.
Page 10-
The Italian (1979-1987) and Asian (2004) melamine contaminations are acknowledged.
Page 12-
Calls for studies to better understand the pharmacokinetics of melamine.
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/190102.htm http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/190107.htm http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2002&PID=2675&Category=424 Pharmacokinetics--a "road map" of the "trip" the substance takes through the body.
More assessment of the toxic effects the combination of melamine and cyanuric acid has on different species.
Learn when and what biomarkers appear which will predict renal (kidney) failure after exposure to both toxins.
More studies regarding the long term effects of exposure to both toxins.
Pages 13-15
Proposed rat model studies. Page 15 includes the nephrotoxic (toxic to the kidneys) biomarkers found in urine which will signal renal failure. Those shown with an asterisk "*" indicate human nephrotoxic biomarkers FDA is currently studying.
Last Page-16-details a similar proposed study in mini pigs and the possibility of other additional studies as yet unnamed.
