Melamine dishes
Melamine, a nitrogen, carbon and hydrogen compound, was invented by a German scientist in the 1830s. When combined with formaldehyde and heated to a high temperature, a material forms that is easily molded, difficult to break and dishwasher safe. Melamine dishes were used by the Navy during World War II, and by almost every American household during the 1950s and '60s. Time magazine reports that melamine is still present in a myriad of products.
Melamine as a Raw Material
Melamine can be found in euros.
Because of its scratch and wear resistance and the way it takes color, Melamine is used to coat paint on vehicles. The construction industry appreciates its resistance to moisture and strength and uses melamine in particle board, plywood, adhesives, foams, laminated lumber, Gypsum board and to add plasticity to concrete. Melamine absorbs sounds and retards flames, so it is used to make televisions, casings for computers and household appliances.
Melamine is durable when wet and retains color well, making it an excellent resource for the paper and textile industries. Melamine is used in the production of wrinkle-free clothing, wallpaper, maps and even the euro banknote.
Its durability and attractiveness have led to a resurgence of melamine not only in dishwares, but it is also used in skis, snowboards, picture frames, basketball backboards, hockey sticks and toys.
Melamine and Animals
Pet food
Melamine mimics high-protein additives by raising the nitrogen content in food, causing purchasers to believe it contains more protein than is actually present, according to the 2007 Associated Press article, "Animal Feed in China Often Contains Mild Toxin."
While melamine is not approved for use in animal or human foods in the United States, it was found in more than 150 brands of pet food imported from China. The food was recalled in 2007 after American veterinarians found it caused crystals to form in animals' urinary tracts, killing approximately 2,200 dogs and 1,950 cats in the U.S., according to a 2010 report from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The United States also destroyed thousands of hogs after learning they had ingested melamine. The FDA feared the pork would not be safe for human consumption.
Melamine in Human Food
Feeding the baby
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), melamine found its way into baby formula produced in China in 2008, and the Associated Press reported the tainted formula was responsible for four deaths. It also resulted in kidney stones and other illnesses in 54,000 children throughout the world. Seven hundred metric tons of the formula were recalled. This recall did not impact the United States, as no baby formula produced in China is approved for use in the U.S.
Cadbury chocolates containing melamine were recalled in 2008, in Asia and Australia, according to a WebMD report. There is no evidence that tainted chocolate entered the U.S.
The Taiwan News reported in 2008 that melamine was found in mushrooms, celery and tomatoes grown in China. In 2009, Greenpeace tested 45 common vegetables in China and found 40 of them contained up to 50 chemicals each. Again, there is no evidence that these vegetables have entered the United States.
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