Have you ever thought about the number of chemicals you come in contact with each day? From the milk packet used in your coffee every morning to the cleaning agents utilized to clean your house floor, all have chemicals in them. 

Even though they offer various benefits, there are certain health risks associated with them. The risks range from short-term discomfort to long-term serious health problems.

Hence, understanding the way we get exposed to chemicals and taking necessary steps to minimize risks can help us protect ourselves. In this article, we will look at ways to manage health risks that are posed by industrial chemical exposure. 

Understanding Industrial Chemical Exposure

We humans could get exposed to industrial chemicals in a lot of ways because they are everywhere. So let us look at some of the potential ways in which we could get exposed.

Workplace

Workers who work at factories, manufacturing plants, and certain agricultural settings are at high risk of getting exposed. These are the sites where you will find lots of dust and harmful chemical gases. You could also get exposed to chemicals in the form of liquids on surfaces or by accidental consumption.

Solvents, paints, and pesticides are some of the common chemicals that are found at these above-mentioned places. These could lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, headaches, dizziness, and even some life-threatening cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.

Environment

Industry chemicals can get into your vicinity through air and water pollution. We become silent victims of industrial chemical contamination through various pathways. Sources suggest that industrial facilities release 310 kilos of toxic chemicals every second into our environment around the world.

Another study shows that around 1.8 million children are born with methylmercury levels in the European Union. This count is higher than the 0.58 g/g adjusted safety limit annually.

Accidental releases, like leaking storage tanks or leaks during transportation, can release toxic chemicals into the air and soil. Regularly used products like paint and cleaners can pollute the environment and get into groundwater if they’re not disposed of properly. 

Even the normal dry cleaning process can harm our environment. The solvent Perchloroethylene (PERC) used in the process can pollute the air if it’s not sealed properly. 

Consumer Products

Most of the everyday products that men and women use nowadays contain industrial chemicals. As per Morning Consult survey, adults use 12 personal care products a day, from shampoo to soap to deodorant. These products could contain 112 unique chemical ingredients, some of which could be harmful. 

Similarly, flame-resistant materials used in furniture, bisphenol A (BPA) used in various plastics manufacturing, etc are also made of industrial chemicals. You can get exposed to these products through skin contact, inhalation, or even consumption. 

And the result? You will start seeing negative health effects like hormonal disruptions, allergic reactions, etc.

Strategies for Managing Health Risks 

There are different ways in which you could get exposed to industrial chemicals depending on where you are. Hence, it would be wise to categorize the strategies based on workplace and everyday health risks.

Everyday Precautions

With daily exposure to harmful substances, your body starts to slowly build up chemicals. This gradual process is called bioaccumulation. The chemicals that are present in most of the products that we use daily accumulate potentially leading to long-term issues.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are one such example of how bioaccumulation can become a cause of concern. These man-made chemicals are highly persistent in the environment and our bodies. What this means is it isn’t easy to break them down and accumulate over time.

Studies by the EPA suggest that 83 to 105 million Americans drink water contaminated by chemicals higher than what the EPA regulates. This raises concerns since continued exposure can lead to higher PFAS levels in the body.

The other concerning thing is the recent lawsuit surge against manufacturers of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), which are widely used in firefighting. These foams contain PFAS chemicals. Firefighters who used AFFF regularly for years claim that they developed health problems because of PFAS.

Although the specific health outcomes are still being studied, the AFFF lawsuit serves as a warning. It reminds us that even low-level exposure to certain chemicals can have long-term consequences.

According to TruLaw, the AFFF lawsuit is meant to compensate victims of AFFF firefighting foam and hold its manufacturers responsible. Therefore, it becomes important for us to limit ourselves from getting exposed to potentially harmful chemicals in everyday products. 

How do we achieve that?

• By taking a few moments and researching the list of ingredients before purchasing products. The wisest thing to do is to look for safer alternatives. Choose products with less harmful industrial chemicals.
• Most of the products now come with BPA-free or phthalate-free options. Hence, look for certifications and labels that indicate safer ingredients, like organic or eco-friendly. 

Workplace Safety

Whenever we talk about dealing with industrial chemicals in any of the workplaces, using personal protective equipment (PPE) becomes important. It could be a chemical manufacturing unit, an oil and gas industry, or a laboratory. 

Using PPE like gloves, masks, and protective clothing will potentially keep you safe from harmful industrial chemicals exposure. Additionally, you need to back this up with proper handling methods and following safety protocols. Regular training on safety measures could help with understanding and following the required safety protocols effectively.

To better equip yourself and protect yourself from workplace health risks, there are organizations like OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). OSHA offers guidelines and helps you in making sure that you keep work environments safe.  

Employees should make the most of these resources to ensure safety and report to the relevant authorities if they suspect unsafe conditions.  

Ultimately, understanding the potential health risks posed by industrial chemical exposure is crucial. By acknowledging how chemicals affect us every day, it becomes easier to find ways to protect ourselves.