There are various chemical hazards common in the environment. This post will assess what they are and their impacts on your health.

Chemicals are transferred into the body through the nose, or the lungs. Direct contact with the skin and ingestion are other routes of transmission.  Once in the body, these chemicals are carried through the body via the bloodstream. The route of exposure can determine the toxicity of a chemical, for instance, most household chemicals are not harmful if toughed but are harmful when consumed.

A substance’s toxicity level is analyzed by its potency. A chemical with higher potency is regarded as more toxic. For example, hydrogen cyanide is more toxic than Sulphur dioxide. In addition, depending on the breakdown of a compound in the human body, a substance can turn out to be either harmful or less harmful. While most chemicals can be converted into less toxic forms in the liver, others such as methanol break down to formic acid which is more toxic.

Pesticides

Pesticides are used for agricultural and domestic purpose. They are a significant concern due to their long-term health consequences they cause when one is exposed. These pesticides are mainly transmitted to the environment through soil and water contamination and food residues. The excess residues accumulate in the soil while the rest are carried by rain water to nearby water bodies. When humans come into contact with either the contaminated soil or water they become exposed to these chemicals.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

Among other chemical hazards are dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs because they made excellent electric and thermal insulating materials, especially for electrical transformers. Dioxins are contained in certain herbicides. The exposure to either of these chemicals have been associated with an increased risk of cancer and infertility.

Organic solvents

Organic solvents such as alcohol, ether and benzene are highly volatile and inhaling their toxic vapours is associated with dizziness, nausea, irritation, nervous system disorders, headaches etc. Exposure to these vapours for extended periods further enhances the risk of kidney and liver damage

Tobacco smoke

Chemical agents contained in tobacco smoke such as sulfur dioxide, hydrogen cyanide , benzene carbon monoxide etc which when inhaled frequently are linked to an higher risk of cancer.

Pregnant women who some increase the risk of having low-birth weight babies with cognitive disorders and miscarriage. In young children, tobacco smoke exposure is linked to respiratory infections bronchial asthma and recurrent otitis.  

Lead

Lead is in used production of car batteries, in ammunition, and the manufacture of paints and dyes thus its pollution still persists widely. Its effects are known to interfere with central nervous system function, cause anaemia, kidney damage.

Mercury

When mercury is expelled from the industries into water bodies such as rivers, it goes into the food chain and through bio-magnification, its concentrations increase. Fish in water then consume it, and then humans consume the fish in turn, being exposed to its effects.

Similar to other chemicals like lead, organic mercury is poisonous when ingested as it affects cognitive performance and speech among children. In severe cases where high amounts of organic mercury are ingested, mental retardation is a likely health implications.

Common chemicals such as lead, mercury, tobacco smoke, organic solvents and PCBs cause harm to your health. Taking preventive measures on your part, to limit your exposure to these chemicals is fundamental in reducing their health risks.