How poisonous substances get into the body.

We simply cannot ignore the items we take into our bodies, we cannot have random food consumption because some substances are actually really toxic. Toxic substances are substances that are poisonous and create adverse health effects on the body, while we focus on common chemicals like; polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin, and others, there are some over-the-counter drugs, cosmetics, alcohol, and even gasoline substances that could turn out to be extremely toxic to the human body.

When chemicals get in contact with the body, they cause a lot of damage. Some of these chemicals are disastrous because of their physical properties where they can burn, explode and even easily react with other chemicals in the body. A chemical could either be hazardous or toxic, sometimes, it could even be both. In order to identify the level of toxicity of a substance, there are considerations to be made. The level of toxicity of a substance is greatly dependent on the cause of the toxicity and the potency associated with it.


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Chemical strength: The level of strength of a chemical is dependent on the toxic nature of the chemical and the way the body breaks down these chemical structures.

Body reaction: Dependant on the type of chemical that contains toxin affecting the body at that moment, the reaction ranges from mild vomiting to a more complex case like cancer, some chemicals may not show any adverse terrible effect at the moment but may create complications later in the future.

Level of exposure: Getting a body exposed to harmful chemicals could be through; ingestion, inhalation, and even direct contact. Chemicals that enter the body through inhalation can lead to nose irritation and even the irritation of the passages and lungs. The body can also be exposed to chemicals through swallowing, chemicals that enter the body through food, utensils, or even the dirty hand, children stand a great chance of ingesting harmful substances that are found in the soil or dust, and absorbed substances could be through the blood and then it will be transported to other parts of the body.


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Having direct contact with the skin or the eyes is also another means of exposure, some of the substances absorbed through the skin get into the bloodstream. An injury on the skin through cut or crack will make it easy for substances to get into the body.

Depending on the level of exposure, toxic substances have an effect on swallowing, and breathing and can lead to serious health effects.

Amount of substance: The amount of substance ingested into the body, also affects the impact done. The more the amount of substance consumed is depending on the weight of the consumer, the more likely it would be for an adverse health effect to occur.

Body sensitivity: There are different body types and we all react to the sensitivity of the chemicals in different ways, the reason for the difference in the chemical reaction of the body is linked with;

-The body varies in its ability to eliminate or break down chemicals and this is triggered by genetic differences.

-The body varies as well on the type of chemicals it reacts to, some body types react to certain chemical types while other body types would not react.

-Age, alcohol, diet, pregnancy, and certain drug use amongst other things could affect reactions to toxic substances.

** Period of exposure**: Getting exposed to a hazardous substance, may cause either a short-term effect or a long-term effect. When a toxic exposure lasts for a short time, it is known as ''acute exposure'', if it is on a long-term basis, it is known as chronic exposure.

Acute exposure may last for just a few seconds or a few hours, but chronic exposure is repeated and continued contact with toxic substances over a long time. Having the use of a repeated chemical on a regular basis would lead to serious acute exposure.1

Chemical toxic pathways into the body.

There are four major paths for chemical deposit into the body and toxic chemicals could get into the body through any of these pathways;

Inhalation: Breathing in contaminated chemicals from the environment, the air is drawn into the body through the nose and the mouth, then it goes into the lungs. An average human is said to breathe in and breathe out about 12 times every minute, with each of these 12 breaths associated with 500mL of air, which properly corresponds with 6 liters of air every minute.

Skin contact: Some chemicals can go through the skin and get into the bloodstream, the eyes are a possible route of entry. The eyes are richly supplied with great blood vessels and this makes it possible for other chemicals to penetrate through the outer tissues and get into the veins, this process may either get damage the process of chemical intake or it may not.

Ingestion: Chemicals can get into the body through swallowing either contaminated food or drink. The contamination can happen through contact with unwashed hands, clothes, or gloves. Once these chemicals get into the mouth, it passes down through the esophagus and then straight into the stomach into the small intestine (a long twisting tube). The small intestine contains villi, the villi have very thin walls that are filled with tiny blood vessels. The formation of the villi makes it possible for some of the ingested chemicals to go from the small intestine and move through the walls of the villi and get through into the vein, this chemical is then carried through the bloodstream and moves around the body.
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Injection: Toxic substances may enter the body through the misuse of contaminated syringe needles or other sharp objects that may have been contaminated with some type of chemicals, injection happens to be a very common entry route for toxic substances into the body.
The contamination can be prevented if we get cautious of the sharp objects we use or are used on us ensuring that syringes and needles are disposed of appropriately after use. 3

The most simple way for chemicals to get into the body is through direct contact with the eyes or the skin, so it should be protected seriously. Put on gloves to minimize the risk of exposure when using chemicals, do not use solvents for skin washing, the solvents take away natural protective oil from the skin and will create irritation and inflammation, washing solvents speed up the absorption of toxic chemicals. 4

Regardless of the amount of toxicity we have present in the everyday use of chemicals, there is a possibility for us to protect ourselves and our families from the toxicity associated with chemicals. Some ways to minimize the level of exposure are;

  • Reading a label carefully and following the associated safety protocols involved will save us from the type of hazardous substances.

  • Ensure to put on protective gloves especially when you have to handle chemicals, use a protective ask as well whenever you are using a substance that makes it difficult for you to breathe.

  • The use of appropriate ventilation, during the use of strong chemicals, leave the doors and the windows open once the weather permits, if possible, it is wise to leave the environment and permit fresh air to get in.

  • Store your chemicals in a safe environment, keeping them safe from children, do not store chemicals in containers that are not properly labeled.

  • When your cloth has contact with chemicals, ensure to change it instantly.

  • The water we consume could also contain harmful chemicals like Lead, the amount of lead in some of the water we consume can be reduced by drinking cold water or other forms of treatment, just be sure that the method of treatment you use takes away the hazardous/toxic substance it contains. 1

I feel it would be wrong to say these things about what toxic substances are, and not say list out some examples of these toxic substances, so these are some examples of toxic substances.

Arsenic Product
.

Arsenic is a known carcinogen that is associated with the skin, the kidney, bladder, and even lung cancers, there are two types of
arsenic and both types are found in grape and apple juice.

According to Food Drug Administration, we can consume grape and apple juice but in a very minute amount. Instead of giving juice to kids, give them milk, water, and whole fruits.

Mercury
.

Exposure to mercury disturbs neurological development, neural growth happens speedily for a pregnant woman and in a growing child. Exposure to the possibility of air pollution and industrial waste and its contribution will contribute to more mercury in the body. The consumption of shellfish, larger older, and more predatory fish can also lead to the accumulation of mercury in the body.

Mercury can be avoided if the mercury glass-filled thermometers in the home are replaced by newer models that do not contain mercury at all. Ensure that the type of fish consumed is one filled with less mercury.

Bisphenol A and Phthalates.

BPA and phthalates happen to be endocrine disrupters, they are plastic additives, since BPA creates rigid plastic properties and phthalates make plastics more flexible. The toxicity coming from these chemicals could be avoided by;

  • Staying away from canned food or food storage containers that are not marked BPA-free.

  • Avoid using personal care products marked with 'fragrance' amongst the ingredients listed.

  • Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers since these plastic containers can release harmful additives into food.

Flame Retardants.

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a flame retardant type that is really worrisome. It can be avoided if;

  • The babies and toddlers are prevented from placing remotes in their mouths.

  • Replacing pillows and furniture if the foam is old and when the furniture gets destroyed is a good way to prevent the poisoning from occurring. 5

Toxins could come from everyday products like household protection and immediate health effects could spring up, as a result, some immediate health effects are; skin irritation, eye irritation, burns, and even poisoning. Extreme exposure to some type of chemicals over a long time can cause some type of serious damage like;

  • Damage to the organ.
  • Allergies or asthma.
  • Development of cancer.
  • Birth defects and reproductive issues.
  • Physical development defects in children. 3

For further studies.

https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/chemicals/toxic_substances.htm

https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/how_chem.html

https://www.buffalo.edu/administrative-services/managing-facilities/environment-and-safety/right-to-know-training/how-chemicals-enter-the-body.html

https://ehs.princeton.edu/book/export/html/1021

https://www.parents.com/health/injuries/safety/harmful-chemicals-to-avoid/

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Hi, I am Tobi a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. Want to hear me speak on relationships and general life issues, you can find my podcast channel Here and I also have a youtube channel where you can listen and watch any episode for free, do not forget to subscribe and share with friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from members of the community and do well to keep them coming.



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(Edited)

I agree with you very much. There are a lot of toxic chemical compounds due to environmental pollution and the use of chemicals in agriculture without respecting the standards. I even saw an article saying that some researchers had found a high percentage of aluminum in women with breast cancer, linking this to the use of aluminum-containing deodorant (but I'm not sure of the sources of this research)

Nice work, thank you.

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These chemicals are really poisonous to make, thanks for reading friend.

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This is a very good topic.

There are times that I tried to discuss things related to some of what you discussed in here. However, most people would generally laugh at me. For them, I am being too unrealistic and they would give me real world examples of people who they see as very healthy even after being exposed to this harmful or poisonous substances.

This makes me just ignore instances where I see people exposing themselves to harmful substances (plasticizers contact to food, frying food in galvanized steel sheet). They might get annoyed and physically assault me.

Thanks for sharing. 🙂

!1UP

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