Environmental Toxins: Everything You Need to Know!
Everything from your clothes to your food to the air you breathe has environmental toxins. The scary part is that they are invisible to the naked eye and can harm you if exposed heavily. In this article, we will talk about environmental toxins and how they affect our lives.
What are Environmental Toxins?
Environmental toxins refer to substances and organisms that harm human health. They have poisonous chemicals, chemical compounds with harmful properties, and physical materials that break biological processes. There are significant threats when exposed to an unhealthy quantity of toxins.
Types of Environmental Toxins
There are many types of toxins, some of them are:-
#1. Toxins in Food and Water
Many foods we consume today are treated with pesticides and contain additives that can be harmful when consumed in excess. These chemicals can accumulate in our bodies over time. Many kinds of toxins can be found in food and water, like arsenic, atrazine, dioxins, lead, mercury, etc. Animals either consume and transfer them to humans by consuming animal tissues or are found in the water we drink.
#2. Household Toxins
Many kinds of household toxins exist, like Asbestos, Bisphenol A, Phthalates, Radon, etc. These are found in the house’s insulation, plastics, shampoos, soaps, etc. These can cause diseases like lung cancer, damage the liver and kidneys, and disrupt hormone function.
#3. Air Toxins
The air we breathe can contain a range of pollutants, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and harmful gases like carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. These pollutants are primarily emitted from industries, transportation, and other human activities. These include cigarette smoke, ground-level ozone, noxious gases like ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur, and acid rain. These can cause lung cancer, heart infection, asthma, and lung infection, and serious diseases.
Effect of Environmental Toxins
Air Pollution
#1. Cancer
Air pollution can cause cancer. According to a study by NIEHS with 57,000 women, living near major roads raises breast cancer risk. Methlyene chloride in aerosols, paint removers, and benzene in gasoline are responsible for this. Using coal for energy increases lung cancer cases, proven in a 2000-2016 study.
#2. Cardiovascular Diseases
Tiny pollution particles can harm your blood vessels and make your arteries harden faster. Research from NIEHS shows that older women exposed to nitrogen oxides daily face a higher risk of stroke. Some older folks exposed to TRAP may have lower “good” cholesterol levels, raising their heart disease risk. Pregnant women exposed to TRAP are also more likely to have high blood pressure, leading to pre-term birth, low birth weight, and health problems for both mom and baby. It is essential to reduce exposure to these harmful particles for better health.
#3. Respiratory Diseases
Air pollution can harm lung development and contribute to emphysema, asthma, and respiratory diseases like COPD. Asthma rates rise with urbanization and air pollution, especially in low-income urban areas. Recent research linked ozone and PM 2.5 to asthma in children. PM and nitrogen oxide can lead to chronic bronchitis. In 2020, wildfires and air pollution aggravated COVID-19, showing the importance of clean air for health.
Water Pollution
#1. Microplastics
Water pollution can expose us to microplastics, which can be ingested through drinking water or eating contaminated seafood. Research in Tokyo Bay found that 77% of anchovies contained microplastics in their digestive systems. These tiny plastics have been found in salt, beer, and other foods. Studies suggest they may lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic disorders in humans, but more research is needed for confirmation.
#2. Many Diseases, if Consumed
Chemical pollutants, like pesticides, fertilizers, and heavy metals, pose serious health risks when consumed. The 2014 Flint, Michigan water crisis revealed inadequate testing and treatment, causing skin issues and doubled lead levels in children’s blood. Consuming such toxins can increase the risk of cancer, hormone disruption, impaired brain function, harm to immune and reproductive systems, and cardiovascular and kidney problems.
10 Ways to Combat Environmental Toxins
#1. Use Less Plastic
Try not to use things like plastic bags and bottles that you throw away after one use. Instead, use things like glass containers, metal straws, and cloth bags that you can use again and again. This helps stop plastic from polluting the environment.
#2. Pick Organic Stuff
When you buy food and things, choose organic ones. They don’t have as many harmful chemicals as pesticides. That is better for you and the planet.
#3. Clean the Air Inside
Put machines in your home that clean the air. They use special filters to get rid of bad stuff in the air. This helps you breathe better.
#4. Throw Away Junk Safely
When you have things like old batteries, electronics, or chemicals you don’t need, don’t toss them in the regular trash. Take them to a special place where they can be thrown away safely.
#5. Save Energy
Use machines and gadgets that use less energy. Turn off lights and things like your computer when you are not using them. Try to use clean energy like solar power to help the environment.
#6. Clean Your Drinking Water
Put filters on your taps to get rid of things like lead and chemicals in your drinking water. This keeps you safe from harmful toxins.
#7. Use Safe Cleaning Stuff
Use cleaning products that won’t hurt the environment or you. Or, you can even make your own cleaners with things like vinegar and baking soda.
#8. Eat Less Meat
Try to eat less meat and dairy because making them can significantly hurt the environment. When we eat less of them, we help stop things like cutting down forests and making pollution.
#9. Keep Away from Pesticides
If you are gardening or farming, try not to use chemicals that kill pests. Use other ways that are safer for the environment, like companion planting.
#10. Connect with Others
Get involved in groups or events that want to make stricter rules about things that are bad for the environment. We should support regulations that keep the planet and people healthy.
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned that environmental toxins, though invisible, can harm us when overexposed. These toxins come from various sources, including food, water, household items, and the air. They can lead to health issues such as cancer, cardiovascular problems, and respiratory diseases. To combat these toxins, we can take simple steps like reducing plastic use, choosing organic products, improving indoor air quality, responsible waste disposal, and advocating for better environmental policies. It is crucial to be aware of these toxins and their effects to protect both our health and the environment.
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