There is a lot of confusion around the health effects of exposure. In the modern world, people are surrounded by products and materials that have been treated with toxic chemicals. As a result, there have been many cases where these chemicals have affected human health.
1.1. Liver Damage
Liver damage is one of the most typical effects of exposure. There are two main types of liver damage, chemical hepatitis and fatty liver disease. Chemical hepatitis occurs when the toxic substance causes an overproduction of antibodies known as immune complexes. The immune complexes attack the liver tissues, which causes inflammation. Fatty liver disease is caused by the accumulation of fat around the liver, making it hard for oxygen to enter its cells.
1.2. Kidney Damage
Kidney damage is the second most common health effect resulting from exposure to toxic materials. The effects can be both long and short-term. Renal failure is the most dangerous long-term effect, but it can also cause short-term effects such as nausea, headaches, and vomiting. Kidney damage usually results from toxins released into the air, soil, or water supply. Some of the most common toxins that cause this type of damage include lead and arsenic.
1.3. Lung Damage
Lungs can be damaged in a variety of ways and for a variety of reasons. The most common cause of lung damage is inhalation, but physical contact with harmful materials can also cause problems. This damage usually happens as a result of breathing toxic gases such as chlorine. The main short-term effect of this kind of exposure is irritation to the respiratory system, which leads to coughing and sneezing. In some cases, there can also be swelling or even the appearance of small blisters on the lungs.
1.4. Bone Marrow Damage
This is the least common short-term effect that can develop as a result of exposure to toxic material. This usually takes longer than two days to develop (although long-term consequences such as cancer can be tough to spot). The most common causes include exposure to benzene and other similar substances.
2. Health problems in Pregnant women
Much research has been done on health effects from exposure over the last few years, but the results have been quite varied. In general, it is believed that prenatal exposure to toxic chemicals can cause miscarriages, premature birth, and other severe complications for both mother and fetus. The main culprits here are Teflon, mercury, cadmium, and benzene. There are also concerns about organophosphate pesticides because they are often used on crops meant for human consumption (such as fruit).
3. Birth Defects
Babies exposed to chemicals while still in their mother’s womb can develop problems like cardiac abnormalities, neural tube defects, and skeletal anomalies (which may lead to deformities). The most common toxic chemicals include benzene, Teflon, and cleaning products with phosphates or ammonia.
4. Cancer
Cancer is one of the most serious long-term health problems that can develop due to exposure to toxic chemicals. There are two different types: cancer and leukemia. The risk is increased for those who work in highly polluted environments, such as those working in factories or those who live close to large construction sites exposed to building materials or dust. The main culprits here include metals and solvents (such as asbestos, cadmium, and crystalline silica). It is estimated that about 20% of all cancer cases can be traced back to workplace exposure to carcinogenic agents.
5. Genetic Diseases/adverse effects on children’s health
Another long-term severe health effect that can develop due to exposure to toxic materials is congenital disabilities. Some of these defects include neural tube defects, congenital heart disease, and skeletal anomalies. This is not the same thing as genetic diseases, but the result can be similar.
6. Increased Fracture rate
Exposure to toxic chemicals can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis (which can lead to bone fractures), but that is not the only thing it does. This type of damage usually results in small bone tumors in the ends of your bones, which will eventually lead to fractures. The most common culprits include arsenic, benzene, and ethylene oxide.
What Are the Four Ways of Exposure to Toxins?
Exposure to toxins occurs in 4 different ways: inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, and absorption through the skin. Inhalation is the only way to result in immediate effects, such as those you experience from smoking or breathing polluted air. Ingestion is more common, but some chemicals are so toxic that they affect the body even if they are not ingested. The three remaining exposure methods lead to long-term effects on our health, and it is essential to be aware of them.
Inhalation
If a person inhales a toxin, it can have immediate health effects such as headache, nausea, and dizziness. These are the most common short-term effects experienced, but some compounds can develop long-term health issues after exposure. The main culprits include benzene, hydrogen fluoride, hexane, and styrene.
Ingestion
If a toxic chemical is ingested, it will affect the body sooner or later. Some substances have relatively small amounts of vapor pressure (which means they need to be heated to more than 150 degrees Celsius for any significant amount of time before inhalation exposure), and some don’t. If the chemical has a high vapor pressure, there may not be substantial inhalation exposure, but considerable inhalation exposure will occur if that is not the case. The main culprits that cause this type of exposure include benzene, cyanide, and styrene.
Skin contact
A person may be exposed to toxic chemicals that are on another person’s skin. If they do this for an extended time, then the skin will develop damage.
Absorption through the skin
Sometimes your skin absorbs toxic chemicals through the skin. Some of these chemicals are not water-soluble, and they bind to the oils or lipids in our skin. Over time, this will lead to the accumulation of toxins that can cause long-term harm, such as cancers and even death. The most common reason for this type of exposure is: occupational exposure since workers’ hands and clothing may be contaminated by toxic chemicals. Other mechanisms that can result in exposure include insect bites, contact with certain plants, and eating contaminated foods (such as radishes).
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Conclusion
Toxic chemicals can cause several different effects on our health if we are exposed to them for an extended time. The most common way that we are exposed is through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. There are several different ways to combat this problem, but it is up to individuals to do their part and try to protect themselves from this issue.
