In recent news, the presence of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing chemical, has led to the ban of Indian products in various countries. But did you know it’s still used in making vaccines? This has raised concerns among health advocates and parents, who worry about the potential health risks associated with injecting a known carcinogen into their children’s bodies. Let’s find out if this poses a risk to our health.
Many health experts and advocacy groups argue that ethylene oxide should be banned in vaccines due to its carcinogenic properties. The presence of ethylene oxide residues in vaccines poses a potential health risk, especially to vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. Given the potential health risks associated with ethylene oxide exposure, many are calling for a ban on its use in vaccines.
The World Health Organization has classified ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen, and several countries have already taken steps to limit its use in consumer products. With the increasing awareness of the dangers of ethylene oxide, it is clear that more stringent regulations are needed to protect public health.
Why is WHO Silent?
In recent years, research has shown that ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen, posing serious health risks to those exposed to it. Despite this alarming evidence, the World Health Organization (WHO) has remained conspicuously silent on the matter. This silence has left many concerned about the safety of the vaccines that are being distributed worldwide.
Exposure to ethylene oxide has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, particularly leukemia, lymphomas, and breast cancer. Long-term exposure can also lead to respiratory issues, nervous system disorders, and reproductive problems.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have classified ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand just how dangerous ethylene oxide can be. This colorless gas is commonly used to sterilize medical equipment and supplies, including vaccines. However, exposure to ethylene oxide has been linked to an increased risk of various types of cancer, including breast cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma.
Not only is ethylene oxide harmful to those who come into direct contact with it during the sterilization process, but it can also pose a risk to individuals who receive vaccines that have been treated with this chemical. Given the potential health risks associated with ethylene oxide, it’s no surprise that many are calling for greater transparency and regulation when it comes to its use in vaccine production.
You probably already know that ethylene oxide, a substance, can lead to cancer and increase the number of people with cancer.
Let us explore further information regarding Ethylene oxide:
Ethylene Oxide: A Powerful Sterilizing Agent with Cancer-Causing Properties
Numerous studies have demonstrated the carcinogenic potential of ethylene oxide, with research linking exposure to the compound to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer. The genotoxicity of ethylene oxide, which stems from its ability to damage DNA, is believed to play a key role in its cancer-causing activity. As a result, regulatory agencies have implemented strict guidelines for the use of ethylene oxide in order to protect public health.
Ethylene oxide, a commonly used sterilizing agent in various industries, possesses the unique ability to damage DNA. While this makes it an effective tool for eliminating harmful microorganisms, it also raises concerns about its potential carcinogenic effects. In this article, we will explore the dual nature of ethylene oxide, understanding how its sterilizing properties come at the cost of posing a risk to human health.
Cancer-Causing Activity of Ethylene Oxide:
Is Ethylene Oxide Safe for Use in Sterilization Processes?
While ethylene oxide is undeniably effective at sterilizing surfaces, equipment, and medical devices, its potential health risks cannot be ignored. Organizations that use ethylene oxide for sterilization purposes must adhere to strict safety protocols to minimize exposure and protect workers from harm.
The decision to use ethylene oxide should be made with full knowledge of its potential hazards and with a commitment to prioritizing the safety of workers and the public.
A COVID-19 Vaccine Ingredient Can Trigger Allergic Reactions
PEGs or macrogols are hydrophilic polymers derived from ethylene oxide that are extensively used as ingredients in medicaments, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food products
What Is PEG?
PEG, also called macrogol, is a lipid compound that acts as a solvent, thickener, softener, and moisture carrier in many common products including medications, toothpaste, shampoo, skincare, and laxatives.
PEG is an additive in COVID-19 vaccines.
PEGs or macrogols are hydrophilic polymers derived from ethylene oxide that are extensively used as ingredients in medicaments, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food products. PEGs can be covalently linked to certain drugs, a method called PEGylation, in order to enhance their molecular weight (MW), to protect the drug from degradation, and to increase their circulation and delivery to target body compartments. PEG polymers can have different chain lengths and, in that way, different MWs. The nomenclature of PEGs is diverse; however, the term PEG is frequently used accompanied by a figure that can denote the number of units of ethylene oxide (usually used in the cosmetic industry) or the total MW of PEG in g/mol (usually used in the pharmaceutical industry).
PEG in Vaccines
PEG, as well as another compound additive called polysorbate (which is used in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine), can trigger an immediate allergic reaction. The reaction may include anaphylactic symptoms including rashes, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and a decrease in blood pressure.
PEG and polysorbate have been noted as suspected causes of anaphylactic reactions to the vaccines.
Getting a COVID Vaccine If You Have Sensitivities
For people who are sensitive to polysorbate, the CDC recommends not getting a COVID-19 shot that contains the ingredient.
According to Wikipedia Health effects
Due to its ubiquity in a multitude of products and the large percentage of the population with antibodies to PEG, hypersensitive reactions to PEG are an increasing concern. Allergy to PEG is usually discovered after a person has been diagnosed with an allergy to an increasing number of seemingly unrelated products, including processed foods, cosmetics, drugs, and other substances that contain PEG or were manufactured with PEG.
Components of the vaccines for COVID-19 with allergenic potential
PEGs or macrogols are hydrophilic polymers derived from ethylene oxide that are extensively used as ingredients in medicaments, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food products
PEG has several derivatives that share similarities in their structure. That is the case of polysorbates (PEG sorbitans), poloxamers (PEG-propylene glycol copolymers), PEG ethers, PEG fatty acid esters, etc.
Hypersensitivity reactions to PEGs
Hypersensitivity to PEGs as part of drugs or daily life products are on occasions difficult to diagnose due to a lack of awareness among physicians of this excipient as a potential allergic sensitizer.
COVID-19 vaccines BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 contain PEG-2000 as part of the PEGylation process of the LNPs that surround the mRNA molecules. The intramuscular route of administration could potentially increase the stability and bioavailability of the carrier containing PEG-2000. In the CDC reports, 52% of patients with anaphylactic reactions to the BNT162b2 vaccine and 80% of patients with anaphylaxis mRNA-1273 vaccine had a previous history of allergy to medicaments or vaccines. Some of these drugs can contain among their excipients PEG or its derivatives such as in the case of penicillin tablets or steroids. However, the specific role of PEG in the anaphylactic reactions to BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines has not been analyzed so far.
Polysorbate 80
Polysorbate 80 (polyoxyethylene-80-sorbitan monooleate) or Tween 80 is a non-ionic surfactant that is used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Polysorbates 20, 40, and 60 also exist and the figure associated with the name indicates the total number of ethylene oxide groups (-OCH2CH2) in the molecule.
Polysorbates can also be found as an excipient in certain vaccines such as Hepatitis B vaccine, influenza vaccine, or Human papillomavirus vaccine. The function is to contribute to the solubility of the vaccine.
patients with reported anaphylaxis to the BNT162b2 vaccine had past histories of anaphylaxis to vaccines such as influenza (H1N1) or rabies vaccine.
Anaphylaxis to the first COVID-19 vaccine: is polyethylene glycol (PEG) the culprit?
Serious side effects
People have developed a severe allergic reaction to the shingles vaccine. This reaction is called anaphylaxis.
Signs of anaphylaxis include:
- swelling of the face (including the throat, mouth, and eyes)
- hives
- warmth or redness of the skin
- trouble breathing or wheezing
- dizziness
- irregular heartbeat
- rapid pulse
If you have any of these symptoms after getting the shingles vaccine, seek medical help right away. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.
Ref: https://qvive.in/world-news/studies-suggest-between-chickenpox-vaccine-and-increasing-shingles-rates/
ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO VACCINES – Hypersensitivity
Vaccines contain some compounds with a recognized potential to elicit allergic reactions, such as PEG, polysorbates, tromethamine/trometamol, and others.
Immunologically mediated allergic reactions are either acute in onset or delayed. The majority of acute-onset reactions are type I hypersensitivity reactions mediated by preformed IgE antibodies against a vaccine component. The importance of distinguishing acute-onset IgE-mediated reactions is that they can manifest as severe life-threatening anaphylaxis in the patient and require more careful evaluation. Typically, these reactions occur within minutes of exposure to the relevant allergen, and most normally occur within 4 hours; possible exceptions might include delayed-onset reactions to rabies and Japanese encephalitis vaccines. The most common symptoms of acute-onset IgE-mediated hypersensitivity range from urticaria to angioedema to anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis can occur after exposure to allergens from a variety of sources, including food, venom, drugs, and immunizations. Anaphylaxis is a rare, severe, life-threatening allergic reaction with a rapid onset that involves multiple organ systems and can progress rapidly. Symptoms and signs of anaphylaxis can include but are not limited to generalized urticaria; wheezing; swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat; difficulty breathing; vomiting; diarrhea; hypotension; decreased level of consciousness; and shock.
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs after vaccination, with onset typically within minutes to hours.
Urticaria characterized by wheals (hives) accompanied by an itching or burning sensation resolves generally within 24 hours. Urticaria can result from immunologic and nonimmunologic mast cell activation. Although allergic triggers, such as stinging insects, foods, and medications (including vaccines), are commonly considered and sometimes confirmed as the cause of acute urticaria, several studies have identified infections (urinary tract and upper respiratory tract) as a cause with rates as high as 81%, whereas others have found foods, food additives, and infections also to be common, with rates of 11% to 13% each.
Angioedema is a potentially life-threatening adverse event with less well-circumscribed edema than urticaria and mainly involves the deeper subcutaneous tissues, often of the face, oropharynx, or both; tissue involvement is painful rather than pruritic and tends to fade more slowly, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Although urticaria and angioedema are considered typical manifestations of immediate-type reactions, they can also occur with delayed reactions. In a delayed reaction these might be the result of non–IgE–mediated processes, such as complement activation, by immune complexes (type 3 hypersensitivity or an Arthus reaction) or other less-well defined mechanisms, including T cell–mediated processes or, less likely, late activation of the IgE system.
Delayed-type reactions occur commonly within hours or days after exposure, although symptom onset can be delayed up to 2 to 3 weeks. The most common signs of delayed-type reactions are rashes (ie, various morphologic forms of maculopapular eruptions). Some delayed reactions might not be immunologically mediated. Persistent hard nodules at the injection site can involve nonspecific inflammation or irritant reactions usually induced by adjuvants, such as aluminum, and do not necessarily reflect immunologic hypersensitivity to vaccine constituents. Large local vaccine reactions secondary to T–cell infiltration are often associated with prolonged and very effective immunity. Delayed reactions are often self-limiting conditions that do not contraindicate administration of future doses (eg, booster doses) of the same vaccine.
- Thimerosal, 2-phenoxyethanol, and phenol are used in multidose vials of vaccines to prevent bacterial growth.
- Thimerosal, 2-phenoxyethanol, and phenol are used in multidose vials of vaccines to prevent bacterial growth. Thimerosal in vaccines has been associated with contact allergy and rarely with systemic allergic reactions. Thimerosal was used in several vaccines in the United States until 2001 but was removed as a preservative in vaccines used in young children as a precautionary measure because of theoretical concerns about mercury toxicity. Some multidose vials of inactivated influenza vaccines contain thimerosal, and trace amounts can be found in some other vaccines. The majority of persons do not experience reactions to thimerosal administered as a vaccine component, even when patch or intradermal tests for thimerosal indicate hypersensitivity. A local or delayed-onset hypersensitivity reaction to thimerosal is not a contraindication to receipt of a vaccine that contains thimerosal. In addition to vaccines, 2-phenoxyethanol is used in cosmetics, ophthalmic solutions, and antiseptics. There have been reports of contact dermatitis caused by 2-phenoxyethanol. In Japan a 2011–2012 spike in reports of influenza vaccine–associated anaphylaxis was linked to a 2-phenoxyethanol containing vaccine from a single manufacturer, and a follow-up investigation implicated a possible role of the preservative in the enhancement of these IgE–mediated reactions.
- The lists of excipients of the three vaccines contain some compounds with a recognized potential to elicit allergic reactions, such as PEG, polysorbates, tromethamine/trometamol, and others. The following sections will focus on the description of those compounds, their characteristics, and their potential role in systemic allergic reactions.
Final Note: VACCINES ARE NOT SAFE.
Source: Wikipedia, NIH, Verywellhealth, BJA, JNCI,
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