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Keywords Furan toxicity · Furan effect on liver and kidney · Furan detection
method · Furan health concerns
Introduction
Endocrine Disrupting Compound (EDC) is defined in a simple way as exogenous
chemicals that could have disturbed the human endocrine system. This disturbance
in the endocrine system caused the hormonal imbalance, which leads to many metabolic, reproductive and developmental diseases [1]. Endocrine Disrupting
Compounds (EDCs) are defined in details by many agencies and U.S Environmental
Protection Agency definition of EDC is “an exogenous agent that interferes with
syntheses, secretion, transport, metabolism, binding action or elimination of natural
blood-borne hormones that are present in the body and are responsible for homeostasis reproduction, and developmental process.” It is considered that EDCs alter the
hormones receptors, for instance, oestrogen receptors (ERs) progesterone receptors,
androgen receptor (AR) and thyroid receptors [1]. We are exposed to EDCs by different means, including food intake, contaminated air and directly exposed to EDCs
chemicals. These chemicals possibly invade to the food chain and concentrated on
animal tissues as well as humans. EDCs are commonly piled up in adipose tissues,
because of their lipophilic nature, and generally, possess longer half-life. EDCs
compounds can be classified into many categories. These chemicals pharmaceutical
agents, a synthetic chemical used in industries, its by-product, pesticides and fungicides. Among many endocrine disruptors, furan is one of the EDCs and have its
consequences on the human health system [1].
What Is Furan?
Furan having the chemical formula (C4H4O) formed a heterocyclic compound of
the five-sided ring. This aromatic ring having four carbon atoms and one oxygen
atom. Furan molecular weight is computed to be 68. A very low boiling point of
furan, 31 °C [2], ensured its high volatility [3]. Furan is used in the industrial process because of the accessibility of its parent and derivatives cyclic compounds. It
has drawn attention as a result of the development of new synthetic strategies. Some
of the most common furan and its derivatives used in industries are shown in
Fig. 12.1 [4].
In water, synthetic and herbal medicines, industrial processes and the environment, furan-containing compounds are abundant [5]. From an industrial point of
view, furan is known as an intermediate compound for manufacturing of many
S. Muzammil et al.
Keywords Furan toxicity · Furan effect on liver and kidney · Furan detection
method · Furan health concerns
Introduction
Endocrine Disrupting Compound (EDC) is defined in a simple way as exogenous
chemicals that could have disturbed the human endocrine system. This disturbance
in the endocrine system caused the hormonal imbalance, which leads to many metabolic, reproductive and developmental diseases [1]. Endocrine Disrupting
Compounds (EDCs) are defined in details by many agencies and U.S Environmental
Protection Agency definition of EDC is “an exogenous agent that interferes with
syntheses, secretion, transport, metabolism, binding action or elimination of natural
blood-borne hormones that are present in the body and are responsible for homeostasis reproduction, and developmental process.” It is considered that EDCs alter the
hormones receptors, for instance, oestrogen receptors (ERs) progesterone receptors,
androgen receptor (AR) and thyroid receptors [1]. We are exposed to EDCs by different means, including food intake, contaminated air and directly exposed to EDCs
chemicals. These chemicals possibly invade to the food chain and concentrated on
animal tissues as well as humans. EDCs are commonly piled up in adipose tissues,
because of their lipophilic nature, and generally, possess longer half-life. EDCs
compounds can be classified into many categories. These chemicals pharmaceutical
agents, a synthetic chemical used in industries, its by-product, pesticides and fungicides. Among many endocrine disruptors, furan is one of the EDCs and have its
consequences on the human health system [1].
What Is Furan?
Furan having the chemical formula (C4H4O) formed a heterocyclic compound of
the five-sided ring. This aromatic ring having four carbon atoms and one oxygen
atom. Furan molecular weight is computed to be 68. A very low boiling point of
furan, 31 °C [2], ensured its high volatility [3]. Furan is used in the industrial process because of the accessibility of its parent and derivatives cyclic compounds. It
has drawn attention as a result of the development of new synthetic strategies. Some
of the most common furan and its derivatives used in industries are shown in
Fig. 12.1 [4].
In water, synthetic and herbal medicines, industrial processes and the environment, furan-containing compounds are abundant [5]. From an industrial point of
view, furan is known as an intermediate compound for manufacturing of many
S. Muzammil et al.