Every single day, we are exposed to different chemicals, even from the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. That’s not to mention all the synthetic products we are exposed to at home and at our workplace. While exposure to some of these chemicals is not necessarily harmful, there are still risks, especially if they are not used properly or we don’t take the necessary precautions.
Most of the products we use on a daily basis are designed to make our lives safer and our work more efficient. However, we have to ensure that they are used, stored, and disposed properly at all times.
There are several factors to be considered when talking about the health risks of chemicals, including the type of chemical and the amount you are exposed to. You also have to know how, when, and for how long you are exposed to the chemical. Finally, you have to take into account your age and overall state of health. Note that there are people who are more sensitive to chemical exposure. Pregnant women, really young children, and seniors are also at a higher risk.
POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON YOUR HEALTH
If due to incorrect use or accidents, exposure to chemical may cause immediate harm to your health, like suffocation, burn, and poisoning.
Aside from those immediate effects, there may also be long term health effects which are often the result of being exposed to specific chemicals over an extended period of time. This often happens if your work involves the use of chemicals or if you live in an area where you are exposed to chemicals from factories and other industries.
Depending on the kind of chemical, long term effects on your health might include:
- weakening of your immune system
- problems with your reproductive system and possible birth defects in unborn babies
- damages to your organs
- negative effects on children’s mental cognitive and/or physical development
- certain kinds of cancer
Here are some tips on how you can protect your family from health risks caused by chemical exposure:
- Read carefully, understand, and follow all the instructions when using household products with chemicals. If there is something you do not fully understand, it is best to contact the manufacturer instead of simply asking around.
- When using products that can release harmful chemicals into your indoor air, make sure you open windows to allow sufficient ventilation during and after its application.
- Store all chemical products where they are out of sight and reach of children and pets. If possible lock the cabinets or the storage room where you keep the chemicals.
- Find safer natural alternatives to the products you use at home. There are lots of options available to you.
Chemical exposure is no simple matter and we really should do everything we can to avoid exposure and reverse its effects. If you want to improve your overall health the natural way, reach out to us at Sloan Natural Health Center. We provide services that aim to improve your well-being and give your optimal health back!
