Problem
Long-term hazards of exposure to chemicals
Other Names:
Hazards of low-level exposure to chemicalsHealth hazards of long-term, low-level exposure to toxic mixtures of non-toxic chemicals
Nature:
Most tests of chemical products, especially drugs and foodstuffs, are based on short-term effects, especially the LD-50 test which determines the amount of a substance fed to a test group of animals which will cause 50% of them to die within a given length of time (usually measured in days or weeks). Such short-term data is then used to set legal standards covering long-term exposure to lower levels of the chemical.
Incidence:
Of the 80,000 pesticides and other chemicals in use today, 10 percent are recognized as carcinogens. Cancer-related deaths in the USA increased from 331,000 in 1970 to 521,000 in 1992, with as estimated 30,000 deaths attributed to chemical exposure.
Broader Problems:
Environmental hazards from chemicalsHealth hazards of environmental pollutionHealth risks to workers in chemical industriesHealth risks to workers in manufacturing industriesOccupational risks and hazards of the medical professionHealth risks to workers in agricultural and livestock production Narrower Problems:
Dangerous toysHealth hazards of plasticsCarcinogenic chemical and physical agents Related Problems:
Untested use of hormones Aggravates:
Mental depressionOccupational diseases References:
World Health Organization: Health Aspects of Chemical Safety: health effects of combined exposures to chemicals in work and community environments: Proceedings of a course (Lodz 1982)World Health Organization: Health Aspects of Chemical Safety: allergic responses and hypersensitivities induced by chemicals: Proceedings of a joint WHO / CEC workshop (Frankfurt am Main 1982)World Health Organization: Health Aspects of Chemical Safety: studies in epidemiology - part I: exposure of elderly to cadmium - lead neurotoxicity in children - Welder's exposure to chromium and nickelPatosaari, P: Chemicals in Forestry: health hazards and protectionBlock, J Bradford: The Signs and Symptoms of Chemical ExposureRoe, David, Pease, William, Florini, Karen and Silbergeld, Ellen: Toxic Ignorance Subject(s):
Fundamental Sciences → ChemicalsHealth Care → Health
Societal Problems → Hazards
Societal Problems → Poison
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST