“wintergreen Altoids” contains 2% artificialflavoring (by mass) which is most pr

Question

“wintergreen Altoids” contains 2% artificialflavoring (by mass) which is most probably manufactured methylsalicylate. Yet, the Merck index states that methyl salicylate istoxic and that a dose of 30 mL is lethal. Calculate the number ofAltoids one must consume (at one time) in order for a person toreceive a lethal does of methyl salicylate. The density ofmethyl salicylate is 1.184 g/mL , the mass of one Altoid=0.681 gand 1 Altoid contains 2% “artificial flavoring” (methylsalicylate)(please show your work)

Explanation / Answer

Well if one altoid weighs .681 g. Then the amount ofmethyl salicylate in it is .681*.02=.01362g Then to convert that to mL use the density. .01362/1.184g/mL=.0115mL/tablet Then divide that by the lethal dose 30/.0115=2608 tablets that you need to eat at one time toreach the lethal dose.

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