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Poisons in the environment, even
in small amounts, when they are combined can have an aggregated
effect towards humans and animals and lead to health problems.
Many carcinogenic chemicals that have been banned still persist
in the environment and can still be detected in humans and
animals today. |
Pollutants can cause a decrease in lung function leading to such
diseases as asthma, damage to body organs, increase susceptibility
to disease, lower mental capacity in children, reduce fertility
and lower reproduction (people and animals).
If a
person is more susceptible to the effects of these poisons due
to a genetic predisposition to disease then the consequences can
be far greater. |
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Toxin |
Source |
Metals
Many metals such
as molybdenum are required for good
health but within correct amounts. Some metals are toxic
only in large doses and other metals are toxic
in any
amount.
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Industrial
ore mining & processing, metal manufacturing & fabrication, coal burning power plants, petroleum
refining.
Types:
Antimony, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Cesium, Cobalt,
Lead, Mercury, Molybdenum, Platinum, Thallium, Tungsten,
Uranium.
Possible Effects:
Blood disorders. Liver, kidney, lung damage. Cancer.
Interferes with essential body processes which causes
disease. Can cause human behavioral
changes. Impairs the senses.
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Tobacco
Smoke
This toxin is the one of the largest yet most
preventable cause of deaths.
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Tobacco
growers and manufacturing companies.
Tobacco is also used as an insecticide.
Types:
Cigarettes, chewing tobacco.
Effects:
Emphysema, cancer,
heart disease. Addictiveness.
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Polycyclic
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Produced through inefficient burning processes. |
Motor
vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, volcanoes, wood burning.
Gas, coking, aluminum, iron & steel refineries.
Asphalt laying, waste incineration.
Types:
Benz[a]anthracene,
Benzo[c]phenanthrene, Chrysene, Fluoranthene, Fluorene,
Phenanthrene, Pyrene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Naphthalene.
Effects:
Promotes cancer, skin
cancer, lung cancer, effects immune system, reduces fetal
growth.
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Phthalates
Very common chemical used in everyday products. |
Plastic
products, vinyl flooring, adhesives, solvents, nail
polish, hair spray, fragrances, deodorants, food
packaging, toys, insect repellent. Stabilizer for rubber.
Common Types:
di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)
and diisononyl phthalate (DINP). Some Phthalates are
restricted in their use for toys in some countries.
Effects:
Studies on rodents show damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs, and the developing testes. Effects on humans is
unknown. Possible reproductive toxicant in humans.
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Pyrethroid
Pesticides
Least
poisonous of the pesticides but can cause health issues. |
Agricultural
crop treatment, personal products for lice eradication,
termite treatment, cotton crops, farm animals, mosquito
control, personal bug repellants.
Common Types:
Permethrin, Deltamethrin, Cypermethrin, Cyfluthrin.
Effects:
Can cause tremor, salivation, choreoathetosis and
seizures in acute poisonings.
Indiscriminate neurotoxin that kills bees and aquatic
life. Highly toxic to cats.
The U.S. EPA classifies this
pesticide as a possible human carcinogen
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Organochlorine
Pesticides
Highly toxic and banned chemical that still persists
in the environment and is detectable in humans.
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Agricultural
crops, lawns, gardens, buildings for pest eradication.
Types:
Heptachlor, Chlordane,
Dieldrin, Aldrin, DDT, Endrin.
Possible Effects:
Cancer, seizures, tremors, memory loss, fatigue,
headaches, neurologic
developmental disorders.
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Organophosphate
Pesticides
Highly toxic chemical that can cause health issues. |
Agricultural
crops, lawns, gardens, food premises. Highly toxic but
degrades quickly.
Common Types:
Parathion, Malathion, Methyl parathion, Chlorpyrifos,
Diazinon, Dichlorvos, Phosmet, Tetrachlorvinphos, Azinphos
Methyl.
Possible Effects:
Neurotoxin that inactivates an enzyme in insects,
humans, and other animals that is essential for nerve
function. Can cause nausea,
vomiting, cholinergic
effects, weakness, paralysis, and seizures.
Deadly to humans and other animals in high doses.
Can inhibit brain development. Common unintentional
poisoning occurs worldwide.
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Herbicides
Highly toxic chemical that can cause health issues.
Some types are banned. |
Agricultural
crops, residential lawns & gardens, aquatic weed
control. The 2,4,5-T is not used in most countries anymore
due to its high toxicity.
Common Types:
Trichlorophenoxyacetic
acid (2,4,5-T), Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D),
Alachlor, Atrazine, Acetochlor, Metolachlor.
Effects:
Can cause dizziness,
headaches, weakness, nausea, and abdominal pain in higher
doses. Affects reproductive outcomes in animals over long
term exposures. Acetochlor is likely to be carcinogenic
according to the U.S. EPA.
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Dioxins
& similar
Produced as a byproduct of industry. |
Paper
pulp production, burning of waste.
Common Types:
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p
-dioxins, Polychlorinated dibenzofurans, Coplanar
polychlorinated biphenyls,Mono-ortho-substituted
polychlorinated biphenyls.
Effects:
Cancer, genetic and
reproductive effects, congenital anomalies.
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Non-Dioxin
Biphenyls
Highly toxic and banned chemical that still persists
in the environment and is detectable in humans. |
Found in
older type electrical insulators and heat exchangers in transformers.
A banned chemical that still exists in the environment.
Types:
Tetrachlorobiphenyl,
Pentachlorobiphenyl, Hexachlorobiphenyl,
Heptachlorobiphenyl, Octachlorobiphenyl,
Nonachlorobiphenyl.
Effects:
Cancer. Impaired growth of babies and children.
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Bisphenol
A
The chemical is
present in 93% of the human population (U.S.). |
Polycarbonate plastics production. Used to produce some types of
drink containers, food can liners, CD's, safety
equipment,
Types:
Chemical type commonly found as food and drink packaging.
Effects:
Unknown in humans due to lack of research. Produces
hormonal effects in animal tests.
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4-tertiary-Octylphenol
The chemical is present in 57% of the human population
(U.S.).
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Chemical
formed during the production of surfactants.
Types:
Chemical type found in detergents and pesticides.
Effects:
Unknown in humans due to lack of research. Produces
hormonal effects in animal tests.
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Triclosan
The chemical is present
in 75% of the human population (U.S.).
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Antibacterial
chemical used in detergents,
soaps, deodorants, toothpaste, lotions & creams, textiles.
Types:
Chemical type commonly found in household and personal
care products.
Effects:
Unknown in humans due to lack of research. |
Polyfluorochemicals
(PFC)
A class of manufactured
chemicals that persist in the environment. The chemicals
are present in 98% of the human population (U.S.). |
Non-stick
coatings for cookware, stain resistant treatments for
fabrics and carpets, nail polishes, electronics, textile
industry, automotive and construction industries.
Types:
perfluorooctane sulfonic
acid (PFOS)
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA
or C8)
Possible Effects:
Unknown in humans due to lack of research. Causes tumors,
damages the liver
and other organs and has reproductive effects in animal
tests.
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Flame Retardants
Brominated chemicals now commonly used to reduce the
fire risk in everyday items. |
Clothes,
electronics, furniture, electrical appliances.
Types:
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Hexabromobiphenyl (2,2',4,4',5,5')
Possible Effects:
These effects are disputed.
Liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, brain development. |
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