// BEGIN editorial data
 var i = 0;
var melamine_factfile = new Array();
melamine_factfile.ID = "melamine_factfile";
melamine_factfile.ID_WB = 27914288;
melamine_factfile.sPubDate = "11/25/2008 9:57:44 PM GMT";
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melamine_factfile.appHeader = "Q & A|Melamine";
melamine_factfile.appFooter = "<i>Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization";
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melamine_factfile[i++] = new Array("","Introduction","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/apps-melamine-petFood.vsmall.jpg","","", "sub", "", "", "", "right", "Charles Rex Arbogast", "AP", "104", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
melamine_factfile[i-1].body = "Since the massive pet food recall in March 2007, worries about melamine contamination have escalated. Click on the topics to learn more about the chemical and its effect on animals and humans.";

melamine_factfile[i++] = new Array("","What is it?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
melamine_factfile[i-1].body = "Melamine is a common, organic-based chemical that is used in plastics, adhesives, whiteboards, cleaning products, fertilizers, pesticides and numerous other products. It is not something that occurs naturally in food. ";

melamine_factfile[i++] = new Array("","Why is it added to food?","The popular White Rabbit candy is one of many food products found to be tainted with melamine.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/apps-melamine-candy.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Mark Ralston", "AFP/Getty Images", "104", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
melamine_factfile[i-1].body = "It was recently revealed that China has been regularly adding melamine to human food and animal feed to make the products appear to have a higher level of protein. The U.S. does not permit melamine to be used as a food product and the addition of the chemical to food is not approved by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Health Organization or any national authorities.";

melamine_factfile[i++] = new Array("","Does it stay in the body?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
melamine_factfile[i-1].body = "Scientists aren&#146;t sure exactly how long it takes for humans to eliminate melamine, but animal studies suggest that excretion happens fairly quickly. According to the CDC, pigs eliminated half of the melamine they consumed in just four hours, while it took rats three hours.";

melamine_factfile[i++] = new Array("","Why is it dangerous?","A doctor checks an ultrasonic kidney stone test.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/apps-melamine-kidneyStones.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Chiang Ying-ying", "AP file", "104", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
melamine_factfile[i-1].body = "Melamine&#146;s effects on humans haven&#146;t been studied, but according to the CDC, animal studies have shown that exposure to low levels of melamine produced no observable toxic effects. <p><br>However, exposure to high levels, or lower doses combined with other chemicals, can cause urinary tract problems as well as kidney stones and kidney failure in test animals. WHO notes that when melamine is combined with cyanuric acid (a feed additive that is also found in bleaches, disinfectants and herbicides), it can form crystals that may lead to kidney stones. The crystals may also potentially stop the production of urine, which could lead to kidney failure and death.<p><br>A carcinogenic effect has also been seen in animals that were exposed to high levels of melamine over prolonged periods, although WHO notes that there is currently not enough evidence to make a judgment on the cancer risk in humans.<p><br>Thousands of pets were sickened and many more died from consuming the tainted pet food in 2007. In addition, a reported 54,000 Chinese babies were sickened from consuming tainted milk powder in 2008. At least four died, and many more were hospitalized with kidney problems.";

melamine_factfile[i++] = new Array("","What are the symptoms and treatment?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
melamine_factfile[i-1].body = "If melamine poisoning is suspected, the most important thing to do is to stop any potential ongoing exposure. Medical professionals can run specific labs and imaging studies based on symptoms to evaluate kidney function and possible urinary stones.<p><br>Signs of melamine poisoning in humans include irritability, vomiting, fever, stomach pain, blood in urine, little or no urine, signs of kidney infection and high blood pressure. Various types of treatment are available and depend on the severity of the effects on the kidneys. They may include infusion of fluids, correction of electrolyte and acid-based disturbance, dialysis or surgical removal of kidney stones.<p><br>Signs of melamine poisoning in pets include vomiting, lethargy and extreme thirst. If an animal exhibits any of these symptoms, it should be taken to a vet immediately. ";

	// END editorial data