Enviro Care

505 N Main St. North Salt Lake, UT

84054, United States

801 299 1900

Chemical Exposure’s

Hazardous Effects on Health

Every activity leaves a trail of chemical waste in the environment: residential areas produce bags of garbage,

vehicles emit exhaust, and manufacturing industries create hazardous solid wastes.

In the case of industrial processes, hazardous chemicals maintain a visible presence in the environment. Failure

to properly deal with chemical wastes leads to direct contact or contamination, which is harmful to physical

health.

Sources of Exposure

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released informational summaries and descriptions on how

individuals might experience exposure. Common sources of hazardous chemicals include the following:

Air exposure – exposure occurs through air contaminated with dangerous chemical vapors or sediments

Water exposure – involves drinking contaminated surface water or groundwater; also includes direct skin

exposure contact from showering or swimming

Exposure to contaminated sediments or dust – chemicals in the soil also pose health risks if accidentally

ingested or exposed to pathways

Factors that Determine Health Effects

Exposure to chemical waste poses health risks, depending on the factors of contamination. These factors include

dosage of chemical exposure, duration, the type of chemical, and frequency of exposure.

The occurrence of health risks also depends on how the chemical entered the body. The skin absorbs some

chemicals more easily than others. Effects also depend on chemical toxicity and the amount of ingested waste:

some chemicals are dangerous in small amounts, others are not.

Adverse Health Risks of Contamination or Exposure

Exposure to chemical wastes automatically targets the blood stream, which leads to the liver. The liver is

responsible for detoxifying harmful substances but it might fail in removing chemicals. The same applies for the

kidneys, which filters wastes from the blood through the urine.

Toxic waste exposure also poses high risks of cancer due to the high levels of carcinogens present. In 2008, a

toxic waste dump site in northeast Pennsylvania caused a rare blood cancer called polycythemia vera.

Other effects include indoor respiratory diseases, rashes, burns, and chemical sensitivity. Living or working for

prolonged periods in a contaminated area can also lead to hazardous psychological illnesses.

To prevent the onset of health risks, residential areas and industries should remain vigilant against chemical

wastes. Proper waste management is essential in eliminating the rising number of exposure and potential

consequences to people, animals, and the environment.

Sources:

http://www.envirocarehazmat.com

http://health.mo.gov/living/environment/hazsubstancesites/healtheffects.php

http://www.toxicsaction.org/problems-and-solutions/hazardous-waste-sites