Introduction

1.1 Theory
During the making of bamboo chopsticks and wooden sticks, some chemical must be used to
prevent the growth of microorganism on the chopsticks or sticks. Disposable bamboo chopsticks
and wooden sticks are routinely treated with chemical preservatives like sulphur dioxide, which
are listed by international organisation as potentially life-threatening to human with prolonged
exposure to it. Long-term effects include breathing problems and chronic inflammation. Sulphur,
hydrogen peroxide, sodium sulphite and mould inhibitor, are chemical substances commonly
used to make disposable chopsticks and wooden sticks. These chemicals are lethal to our health
with prolonged exposure to the human body.
Bamboo and wood is considered durable and it deteriorates fast. This is related to the
anatomical and chemical nature of the woody cells. The large amount of starch present in
bamboo and wood make it highly attractive to mould and fungi, termites and powder-post
beetles. They cause much damage during drying, storage, and subsequent use.
1.2 Problem Statement
Disposable chopsticks and sticks are shiny and white which normal woods are not like that.
Manufacturers might have used bleaches and preservatives such as sodium sulphite, hydrogen
peroxide and more to make them look attractive. Accordingly, those chemicals might be released
while in contact with food or food additives such as water and vinegar.
1.3 Objectives

To evaluate the harmfulness of disposable chopsticks on living organisms.

To analyse the bad chemicals that could be released while using them.
To discover the actual or possible effects imposed by those chemicals.
To determine the acidity or alkalinity of the chemical used as sterilizer for the making
of bamboo chopsticks and wooden sticks.

1.4 Research Questions

How do the improperly processed chopsticks and sticks affect our safety?

What chemicals are present in the disposable chopsticks and sticks?

What effect does the production of disposable chopsticks have on the
environment?

What is the acidity or alkalinity of the chemical used as sterilizer?

1.5 Literature Review

Chopsticks are shaped pairs of equal length sticks that have been used as the traditional
ancient kitchen and eating utensils in virtually all of East Asia for over six thousand years. Now,
disposable chopsticks which are made bamboo had gained some popularity since you can just
throw it away after you use it, it had become a favourable option for busy people. A wooden
stick is a small stick of wood used to picking up small appetizers, usually after a meal. It can also
be used for removing detritus from the teeth as a toothpick or as a satay stick most commonly in
Malaysia.
How wooden sticks or bamboo chopsticks are made? First you have to get a wood block
or bamboo blocks of course. This wood or bamboo is fed into a mill, which cuts it into blocks.
This process typically happens at the site where the wood or bamboo is grown. Then the aspen
blocks are exported to the country where they will be used. The blanks are cut, sanded, and
finished at a factory, which may churn out millions of pairs a year.
During the making of chopsticks and sticks, some chemical must be used to prevent the
growth of microorganism on the chopsticks or sticks. Disposable chopsticks and wooden sticks
are routinely treated with chemical preservatives like sulphur dioxide, which are listed by
international organisation as potentially life-threatening to human with prolonged exposure to it.
Long-term effects include breathing problems and chronic inflammation. Sulphur, hydrogen
peroxide, sodium sulphite and mould inhibitor, are chemical substances commonly used to make
disposable chopsticks and wooden sticks. These chemicals are lethal to our health with
prolonged exposure to the human body.

All living things need sulphur. It is especially important for humans because it is part of
the amino acid methionine, which is an absolute dietary requirement for us. The amino acid
cysteine also contains sulphur. The average person takes in around 900 mg of sulphur per day,
mainly in the form of protein. Elemental sulphur is not toxic, but many simple sulphur derivates
are, such as sulphur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen sulphide.
Globally sulphuric substances can have the following effects on human health like
neurological effects and behavioural changes which causes people to experience hallucinations,
acting strangely and others. It will also cause disturbance of blood circulation which gravely
affect the blood flow rate in our circulatory system. Heart damage, disorientated eyes and
eyesight, reproductive failure, damage to immune system, stomach and gastrointestinal disorder,
damage to liver and kidney functions, hearing defects, disturbance of the hormonal metabolism,
dermatological effects, suffocation and lung embolism are some of the common negative effects
on human bodies by sulphuric substances.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) causes toxicity via three main mechanisms: corrosive damage,
oxygen gas formation and lipid peroxidation. Hydrogen peroxide is able to burn or corrode
organic tissue by chemical action. This will bring damage to your organs and may lead into organ
failure. Hydrogen peroxide can generate substantial volumes of oxygen. Where the amount of
oxygen evolved exceeds its maximum solubility in blood, venous or arterial gas embolism may
occur. Lipid peroxidation is the oxidative degradation of lipids. It is the process in which free
radicals "steal" electrons from the lipids in cell membranes, resulting in cell damage. There will
be damage to the cell membrane, which consists mainly of lipids. Phototherapy may
cause haemolysis by rupturing red blood cell cell membranes in this way. In addition, endproducts of lipid peroxidation may be mutagenic and carcinogenic which will cause cancer.
Sodium sulphide (Na2SO3) is a colourless water-soluble salt that are strong alkaline.
Sodium sulphite is strongly alkaline and can cause skin burns. Acids react with it to rapidly to
produce hydrogen sulphite, which is highly toxic. Exposure to sodium sulphite can cause severe
irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Sodium sulphite may cause sensitization which
is developing an allergic reaction. Inhalation of sulphite dusts may aggravate asthma or other
pulmonary diseases and may cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Ingestion may

cause burns in the mouth and danger of perforation the oesophagus or stomach, nausea, vomiting
and diarrhoea. Overexposure may result in death. Skin exposures can cause symptoms ranging
from severe skin irritation or itching to redness and swelling. Eye exposure to sodium sulphite
may result in redness, tearing or severe eye irritation and damage. The inhalation of sodium
sulphite dusts can cause nose and throat irritation or coughing. Repeated or prolonged exposures
may cause sore throat or nosebleeds.