Three Common Harmful Substances and Signs of Exposure

1. Asbestos. Asbestos is a material used in a wide variety of applications, including pipe insulation, drywall, flooring, ceiling insulation, and roofing.
2. Pesticides. Exterminators use pesticides to kill insects and other pests at your home or business.
3. Paint Fumes.

To identify if a substance is hazardous, check the product’s container label and/or the SDS which is available from the supplier. If a product is not classified as a hazardous chemical under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, a SDS is not required and therefore may not be available.

7 “Toxins” in Food That Are Actually Concerning

• Refined Vegetable and Seed Oils. Refined vegetable- and seed oils include corn, sunflower, safflower, soybean and cottonseed oils.
• BPA.
• Trans Fats.
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Coumarin in Cassia Cinnamon.
• Added Sugar.
• Mercury in Fish.

The toxicity of a substance depends on three factors: its chemical structure, the extent to which the substance is absorbed by the body, and the body’s ability to detoxify the substance (change it into less toxic substances) and eliminate it from the body.

There are generally five types of toxic entities; chemical, biological, physical, radiation and behavioural toxicity: Disease-causing microorganisms and parasites are toxic in a broad sense but are generally called pathogens rather than toxicants.

10 Steps to Avoid Toxic Chemicals

1. Make Your Own Cleaning Products.
2. Avoid Fragrance.
3. Give Your Personal Care Products a Makeover.
4. Go “BPA-Free”
5. Quit the Quats.
6. Choose Alternatives to Plastics (where possible)
7. Keep Harmful Chemicals Out of the House.
8. Turn Down the Heat on Non-Stick Cookware.

People are generally concerned about chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxin which can be found at some hazardous waste sites. Products that we use daily, such as household cleaners, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, gasoline, alcohol, pesticides, fuel oil and cosmetics, can also be toxic.

“The Dirty Dozen” cosmetic chemicals to avoid

• BHA and BHT.
• Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as “CI” followed by a five digit number.
• DEA-related ingredients.
• Dibutyl phthalate.
• Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
• Parabens.
• Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance)
• PEG compounds.

TIPS TO AVOID TOXIC CHEMICALS IN FOOD:

• Limit canned food and plastic containers. Glass, stainless steel and lead- free.
• Avoid non-stick pans. They may seem convenient, but be wary of.
• Popcorn the old fashioned way.
• Filter your drinking water.
• Buy organic when possible.
• Avoid food dyes.
• Tell Congress to fix our broken laws.

Handling chemicals safely Handle chemicals carefully and avoid direct contact. Wear gloves and protective clothing where possible. Wash your hands after handling chemicals.

To reduce your exposure, use natural cleaning products, such as vinegar (removes mildew and grease), lemon juice (stain remover, glass cleaner, and deodorizer), baking soda mixed with water (all-purpose cleaner), and olive oil (furniture polish).

Sufficient ventilation (airflow) when using cleaning chemicals. Protective clothing, gloves, and safety goggles, when needed. Labels on containers of cleaning chemicals. Training on the hazards of cleaning chemicals you are using and safe work practices.

Prevent the release of toxic vapours, dusts, mists or gases into the workplace air. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (if necessary) to avoid exposure (eye, respiratory or skin) or contact with contaminated equipment/surfaces.

Ways to clear the lungs

1. Steam therapy. Steam therapy, or steam inhalation, involves inhaling water vapor to open the airways and help the lungs drain mucus.
2. Controlled coughing.
3. Drain mucus from the lungs.
4. Exercise.
5. Green tea.
6. Anti-inflammatory foods.
7. Chest percussion.

8 Ways to Cleanse Your Lungs

1. Get an air purifier.
2. Change air filters.
3. Avoid artificial scents.
4. Go outdoors.
5. Try breathing exercises.
6. Practice percussion.
7. Change your diet.
8. Get more aerobic exercise.

When bleach fumes mix with a citrus compound found in many household cleaners, they can form ultrafine particles like those found in smog. This compound is called limonene and is usually relatively mild but in large amounts can irritate the eyes, throat, lungs and skin.

Vomiting. Drinking bleach may cause you to vomit, which can lead to other problems. As the bleach flows back upward, it could burn your esophagus (the tube that runs between your throat and stomach) and throat.

You have been exposed to chemical fumes. This may cause symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, eye, nose, and throat irritation, and upper chest pain. It may also cause nausea, headache, and dizziness.

What are the symptoms of a harmful chemical exposure? A small chemical exposure can cause tearing eyes and burning of the eyes, nose, throat, chest and skin. It may cause headache, sweating, blurred vision, stomach aches and diarrhea.

Fumes from chemicals or toxic substances can irritate your airways, skin and eyes, and inhaling a substance can make your nose and throat sore or swollen. If you have inhaled chemical or toxic fumes, you should get into fresh air straight away.

Many adverse health effects of gasoline are due to individual chemicals in gasoline, mainly BTEX, that are present in small amounts. Breathing small amounts of gasoline vapors can lead to nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and breathing difficulties.

High levels of natural gas exposure can cause natural gas poisoning, which is characterized by fatigue, severe headaches, memory problems, loss of concentration, nausea, loss of consciousness, and suffocation.

Perhaps one of the greatest risks of gasoline exposure is the harm it can do to your lungs when you inhale its fumes. Direct inhalation can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which is why you shouldn’t run a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage. Long-term exposure in the open can also damage your lungs.

After CO exposure how long do the effects last? When people lose consciousness due to carbon monoxide poisoning, they will typically have relapses for several weeks. They will suffer from headache, fatigue, loss of memory, difficulty in thinking clearly, irrational behavior, and irritability.

To test a carbon monoxide detector, hold down the “test” button until you hear two beeps sound off. Once you hear these beeps, release your finger off the test button. Recreate this event, but this time hold down the test button until you hear four beeps.

Don’t install the detector….

• On windows or sliding doors as the winds and air may not pick up the heat of smoke or fire.
• In humid or moist areas including the bathroom.
• In areas that easily collect dust and dirt including unfinished attics.
• In cooler rooms such as sunrooms or porches.
• Near ceiling fans or air vents.

There are three things that make carbon monoxide extremely dangerous: 1) The molecules of carbon monoxide are so small, they can easily travel through drywall; 2) Carbon monoxide doesn’t sink or rise – it mixes easily with the air inside a home; 3) It is an odorless gas, so without an alarm to notify you that it is in …