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.

1. Enviro Care
505 N Main St. North Salt Lake, UT
84054, United States
801 299 1900
Chemical Exposure’s
Hazardous Effects on Health

2. 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

3. 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.

4. Sources:
http://www.envirocarehazmat.com
http://health.mo.gov/living/environment/hazsubstancesites/healtheffects.php
http://www.toxicsaction.org/problems-and-solutions/hazardous-waste-sites