Toxicology in the Occupational EnvironmentIntroductionToday people get exposed to numerous toxic chemicals and substances frequently as a part of their daily routine and activities. Many chemicals are so pervasive in folds of modern life that people hardly take notice of their toxicity when coming in their contact.
Simple things of day to day use such as plastics, detergents, bleaches, acids, disinfectants, pesticides, varnishes, paints, lead, mercury and scores other that are all toxic to one degree or another. This paper attempts to study the effect of some of the common toxic substances on human health.Background: Environmental health hazard of toxic chemicalsThe proximity to toxic chemicals is greater for people living in industrial cities, where large industries may use as much as two million types of chemicals in the manufacturing processes. Many of these chemicals are positively lethal.
As the normal practice is to release the residual effluents in air or water or ground, the danger becomes rather more pronounced and direct. As a matter of fact, there are many reports that fishes found in rivers near large industrial cities contain heavy amount of toxic chemicals (Johansen, 2003). If these fishes are consumed by humans, the toxic substances get deposited in their bodies, endangering their health. Direct contact with industrial toxins is even greater threat, the most tragic instance of which is Bhopal Gas accident in India in 1984 when methyl isocyanate was released from plants of Union Carbide, resulting in almost immediate death of over 4000 people.
Types of toxins and their effect on human healthIn order to determine effect of some of the common toxic substances on human health, the paper would take note common toxins that people are likely to come in contact on regular basis. The nature of the contact can be direct-such as use of the chemical by people. Or it can be indirect, such as effect of air, water and ground pollution where chemicals enter the surrounding environment and adversely affect the health.Some of the most common toxins and their effect on human health as per the research are (Takeuchi, 1999; Allsopp et al.
1995)All purpose Cleaners:Contains: Stoddard solvents, petroleum distillates, morpholine, glycol ether, and phosphates.Effect: Morpholine is extremely toxic and can adversely affect many important organs, including liver and kidney. Stoddard solvent and petroleum ingredients are all neurotoxins that may cause disruption in functioning of central nervous system. Glycol ether is also a poison for liver and kidneyCommercial DeodorizersContains: Chlorinated materials, petroleum distillates, aromatic hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, and salicylatesEffect: Chlorinated material can enter human fat cells and enter mother’s milk, that may cause early dementia and paralysis in children.
Compounds of chlorine formed in body also act as neurotoxins. Aromatic hydrocarbons and naphthalene may result in confusion, depression, and lack of depression. Formaldehyde is one of the suspected carcinogenic substances. It is fatal if swallowed directly or if penetrated through skin.
Commercial dish washing detergentContains: Choloro-o-phenylphenol, diethanolamine, naphthaEffect: Choloro-o-phenylphenol is a metabolic stimulant and a possible cancer causing substance. Diethanolamine has caustic properties with extremely deleterious effect on sensitive human organs, especially liver. Effects of naphtha are discussed above.Commercial disinfectants:Contains: Naphtha, sodium hypochrorite, butyl cellusolve.
Effect: Naptha is a neurotoxin. Both sodium hypochrorite and butyl cellusolve are extremely toxic substance that may enter body through skin contact, inhalation or accidental consumption and cause instant death.Commercial furniture polishesContain: Naphtha, diglycol laurate, amyl acetate, and mineral spirits.Effect: Naphtha discussed.
Diglycol laurate and amyl acetate are both known to have adverse reaction on sensitive human organs such as intestine, liver and kidneys. Mineral spirits can severely impair respiratory processes.Commercial Metal PolishesContain: Perchloroethylene, kerosene, naphtha, chromic acid, and organic solvents.Effect: All the ingredients are neurotoxins with capacity to severally impair central nervous system.
They may also cause lasting damage to vision, speech and hearing capabilities.Commercial laundry detergentsContain: Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, fluosilicate, petroleum products, chloridesEffects: Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate is an irritant with high corrosive effect. It is particularly dangerous for lungs. Fluosilicate can have severe adverse impact on body metabolic functions.
Industrial chemical toxins (TRI, Common Toxic elements and hazards; Introduction to Applied Toxicology)1. Hydrochloric AcidUsed in: Metal processes and cleaning, chemical analysis, manufacturing processes. It is a byproduct of numerous industrial processesEffect: Highly corrosive both in its liquid and gaseous forms. As a liquid, it can cause skin and eye burns while its fumes can cause severe irritation in mouth and throat.
Hydrochloric acid presents largely an occupational hazard, with little domestic spillover.2. Hydrogen FluorideUsed in: Etching glass, manufacture of chemicals and gasoline. It is a byproduct of combustion of coal in thermal power generation.
Effect: Highly toxic to skin, it can cause severe reaction, including skin burns and irritation. Hydrogen fluoride is a gas and has high combustible index which makes it an extremely dangerous occupational hazard.3. Ammonia:Used in: Ammonia is an important industrial reagent, solvent catalyst that is used refrigeration, manufacturing of fertilizers, plastics, and textiles.
It is produced as byproduct in waste treatment plant, petroleum refineries and scores of other industrial processesEffect: Irritates respiratory system. It is highly corrosive and can cause permanent damage to eyes. Contact with liquid ammonia can freeze and damage the skin.4.
Arsenic compoundsUsed in: Pesticides, wood tanning process, electronic and semi conductor industriesEffect: Arsenic compounds are known to cause cancer. They have also severely negative impact on vital human organs such s lungs, liver, kidneys and reproductive glands. People exposed to arsenic poisoning may report severe nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness. Arsenic poisoning can also lead to cardiac problems, rupture of blood vessels and damaged neural activity.
5. MercuryUsed in: Manufacture of thermometer , barometer, lamps, mirror coating, textiles, and chemicalsEffect: Mercury has been historically known to severely affect nervous system. In earlier days, mercury poisoning was particularly noticeable in hat makers, who usually suffered from permanent damage to brain due to highly toxic mercury vapors. Mercury still forms a severe occupational hazard in industrial work platforms and exposure to mercury vapor may result in permanent damage to central nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive glands.
It may also impair vision and hearing permanently.6. Cyanide and its compoundsUsed in: Insecticide, industrial manufacturing processes and metal treatmentEffect: Extremely poisonous. In their gaseous form, vapors of cyanide act very rapidly to paralyze the central nervous system, induce total loss of coordination and enforce nausea and dizziness.
High concentrations can lead to immediate death of exposed people.ConclusionIt is not possible to hermetically seal oneself from toxic chemicals, especially in view of their pervasiveness and necessity for modern routine life. We can see that toxic substances have since long crossed the industrial threshold to enter homes, where they have potential to create severe health hazards. However, it is important to understand the range of health adversities they pose for human beings and accordingly introduce required caution in their use and application.
Understanding their application and toxicity, would create a degree of required awareness where less and less people would stand in dangers of any health hazard by these common toxic chemicals. ReferenceJohanse, B.E. 2003.
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