 Benzene is a colorless liquid with a characteristic odor and burning taste that is one of the most commonly used solvents in the United States. Benzene is used as an additive in gasoline and an ingredient in paints, inks, adhesives, rubbers, glues, old spot removers, and furniture wax. Benzene is also used to make some types of plastics, glues, rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. It is also a natural component of cigarette smoke. Benzene ranks in the top 20 chemicals for production volume in the United States. Jim S. Adler & Associates -- Benzene facts The EPA estimated that 50% of the U.S. population has been exposed to benzene by industrial sources, including oil refineries and chemical plants. |
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 The Clean Water Act is the federal Act that is responsible for the quality of water and any matter relating to pollution or groundwater contamination. If you think you have groundwater contamination, it is important that you report the matter to your local Environmental Government agency. It is also a good idea to contact the Environmental Protection Agency and inform them of the problem. If you have been using the water for drinking, you should contact your doctor for a check up and further advice, as you may have been affected by the groundwater contamination. Seeking legal advice is also a good idea, as this can prepare you in the event that the contaminated water has caused any harm and you wish to seek compensation. |
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 A projected 18 thousand workers may be exposed to Beryllium and Beryllium oxide in the workplace. People working or living near Beryllium industries have the greatest potential for exposure to Beryllium, which can advance to Chronic Beryllium Disease, or other Beryllium associated illnesses. Lung damage has been observed in people exposed to high levels of Beryllium in the air. Up to 15 % of all people occupationally exposed to Beryllium in the air become sensitive to Beryllium and may develop Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD). Beryllium disease is the outcome of exposure to dust or fumes from Beryllium metal, metal oxides, alloys, ceramics, or salts. Once you have been exposed to Beryllium there is a lifelong risk of developing Beryllium disease. Breathing in relatively high concentrations of Beryllium in dust and metal fumes causes acute Beryllium Disease (ABD). It typically has a quick onset and resembles pneumonia or bronchitis. |
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 When crystalline silica (a component of silica dust) is inhaled, it causes inflammation of the lung tissue. This inflammation leads to scar tissue formation on the lungs, also known as nodules, which obstructs the flow of oxygen into the lungs and into the bloodstream. Before it was identified and named in the 1930s, silicosis was known by a variety of names, such as dust consumption, grinder's asthma, grinder's rot, grit consumption, mason's disease, miner's asthma, miner's phthisis, potter's rot, rock tuberculosis, and stonemason's disease. Jim S. Adler & Associates - Types of silicosis injury There are three types of silicosis: chronic silicosis, accelerated silicosis and acute silicosis. - Chronic silicosis injury occurs due to long-term exposure to low amounts of silica (10 to 20 years).
- Accelerated silicosis injury,also known as progressive massive fibrosis, occurs more quickly than chronic silicosis, usually due to exposure to larger amounts of silica over a shorter period of time (five to 10 years).
- Acute silicosis injury occurs due to short-term exposure to extremely large amounts of silica. Acute silicosis can develop within several weeks or up to five years after exposure. Silicosis also has been linked to adverse health effects such as tuberculosis and lung cancer.
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 Different species of fungi have probably been present in human suffering since the dawn of time. It wasn't until relatively recently that the scientific community has identified mold and other fungi as a possible cause of human's adverse health effects. Today, certain fungi and mold are known to the scientific and medical world to be responsible for allergies, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, humidifier fever, infections, poisoning from mushrooms, mycotoxicoses, mucous membrane irritation, and many other ailments. A few examples of fungi/toxic mold species that can be hazardous to the health of humans include: - Penicillium
- Aspergillus
- Stachybotrys
- Paecilomyces
- Fusarium
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Exposure to welding rod fumes may lead to brain damage. The toxins contained in welding rod fumes, especially manganese, have been shown to cause a variety of neurological and movement disorders often referred to as Parkinsonism. These include Parkinson's disease, manganese-induced Parkinsonism, manganese poisoning and manganism. Symptoms may include tremors in hands, arms or upper body; reduced facial expression; rigidity in arms, legs or hands; difficulty swallowing; shuffling walk or balance difficulties when walking; loss of memory; loss of desire to talk or slow speech; irregular handwriting; or a feeling of weakness and lethargy. Welding rods may contain up to 25% manganese. Typically, the rods or electrodes used in Shielded Metal Arc, or "stick" welding, will contain the most manganese. Welding wire used in Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding may also contain a significant level of manganese. Fumes released during the welding process contain manganese. |
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