toxin question

i was wondering if the liver is a "filter" for toxins in our bodies then what happens with the toxens after going through the liver? where do they go?? i was urethaning the inside of a house two days ago and got really sick...so i would think the poisons stayed in my blood too long because of an impaied liver...today it's not bad......billy

[eureka254]

You must be a hard-working dog, ltns!

As I understand it, the liver is the great 'metabolizer'.  When toxins are "filtered", the liver tries to convert compounds to water-soluble form so it can be removed from the body via urine, or tries to break them down using bile to be excreted via the colon pathway.

Dog, gotta wear those filter masks when you work with toxic fumes!  I'm glad that you're feeling better, and best wishes to you. ~eureka

[Diane12855]

There are some things the liver can't metabolize and then they just stay there doing damage to your liver cells. Urethane could well be one of those things. Read the label, it says only use with lots of ventilation. That stuff can kill you.

Diane

PS Yes, I'm a label reader... I'm odd that way. Figure there must be a reason they went to the trouble to print it and my curiosity makes me want to know why.

[eureka254]

Actually most damage from toxins isn't because "they just stay there doing damage to your liver cells" (with some exceptions of course); as a rule the liver takes no prisoners.  "Filter" is sort of a misnomer for the liver because it doesn't really sieve though things; what it does is identifies substances and engineers a biochemical response to promote breakdown.  What it cannot metabolize usually continues in the bloodstream past the liver and into other more delicate/sensitive systems.