Disclaimer's Note: This wiki page is a HIGH SCHOOL chemistry project that contains factual information, but a FICTIONAL murder mystery. All circumstances, persons and events portrayed are purely imaginary and fabricated. Any similarities between actual circumstances, persons and events are completely coincidental.
Urushiol is a very common toxic substance, but people barely know its name. However, they do know the painfully itchy rash it leaves in its wake. Found primarily on Toxicodendron a.k.a. the Poison variety of plants (e.g. Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac), urushiol is the defense mechanism found on all members of the Anacardiacaea family. Urushiol's name is denoted from Urushi, a species of the Toxicodendron genus, the Lacquer Tree. Urushi has a history that dates about 9,000 years into the past; relics are on display in Japan testifying the use of the lacquer in earthenware. Poison Ivy, a common source of urushiol in North America, has records going back to the 1600s; officially coined in 1609 by John Smith (founder of Jamestown, Virginia).
Urushiol is an incredibly powerful irritant and allergen. A single nanogram (ng, which is 10-9, one BILLIONTH of a gram) of the oil can cause a rash, but in general it requires 100 ng to induce a rash. Urushiol samples are still potent enough to cause after A CENTURY. At minimum, a specimen of urushiol oil can stay active for 1~5 years.
A common phrase uttered by people to avoid urushiol is "leaves of three, let them be."
Urushiol can be found across America, since the species of the Toxicodendron genus can thrive virtually anywhere despite having an affinity to certain areas (i.e. sunny).
Clicking this picture will send you to the website where this picture originates.
Above: Here's a picture of the molecular geometry of several VERSIONS of Urushiol; there are various, various isomers and plenty of other accepted formulas depending on the species of Toxicodendron plants (and other plants like Mangoes).
Poison Oak; Credits to Barbara Holzman
Bibliographical Note: All my picture sources will have the link embedded within them. Merely clicking them will show the source. All written/informational/non-visual sources will be noted in a "bibliography" page.
WARNING: Clicking any of the pictures will send you to the website of origin, please note that.
WARNING # 2: This contains legitimate information. Do not attempt to brave this poison (for all you daredevils out there), or you will DIE.
Disclaimer's Note: This wiki page is a HIGH SCHOOL chemistry project that contains factual information, but a FICTIONAL murder mystery. All circumstances, persons and events portrayed are purely imaginary and fabricated. Any similarities between actual circumstances, persons and events are completely coincidental.
Urushiol is a very common toxic substance, but people barely know its name. However, they do know the painfully itchy rash it leaves in its wake. Found primarily on Toxicodendron a.k.a. the Poison variety of plants (e.g. Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac), urushiol is the defense mechanism found on all members of the Anacardiacaea family. Urushiol's name is denoted from Urushi, a species of the Toxicodendron genus, the Lacquer Tree. Urushi has a history that dates about 9,000 years into the past; relics are on display in Japan testifying the use of the lacquer in earthenware. Poison Ivy, a common source of urushiol in North America, has records going back to the 1600s; officially coined in 1609 by John Smith (founder of Jamestown, Virginia).
Urushiol is an incredibly powerful irritant and allergen. A single nanogram (ng, which is 10-9, one BILLIONTH of a gram) of the oil can cause a rash, but in general it requires 100 ng to induce a rash. Urushiol samples are still potent enough to cause after A CENTURY. At minimum, a specimen of urushiol oil can stay active for 1~5 years.
A common phrase uttered by people to avoid urushiol is "leaves of three, let them be."
Urushiol can be found across America, since the species of the Toxicodendron genus can thrive virtually anywhere despite having an affinity to certain areas (i.e. sunny).
Bibliographical Note: All my picture sources will have the link embedded within them. Merely clicking them will show the source. All written/informational/non-visual sources will be noted in a "bibliography" page.
WARNING: Clicking any of the pictures will send you to the website of origin, please note that.
WARNING # 2: This contains legitimate information. Do not attempt to brave this poison (for all you daredevils out there), or you will DIE.