For example, when we extract oil from deep in the earth’s crust, process it, and then burn it in our engines manufacturing plants and airlines, we create a noxious disease causing organic compound called carbon monoxide. For most of us, who are so far removed from the source of the products we consume, it is difficult to imagine that we are have such a problem. Yet, we are at the same time destroying our precious resources while threatening the extinction of many species, including our own.
Below are are few examples of these dangerous chemical compounds arid their negative affects on our health. Keep in mind that initial symptoms often mark just the beginning of the manifestation of catastrophic illness.
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COMPOUND | WHERE FOUND | EFFECTS & RiSKS | |
Trichloroethane | In building materials, cleaning products, paints & degreasing solvents | Dizziness, loss of coordination, unconsciousness, decreases in blood pressure, damage to the breathing passages. Affects the liver and nervous system. | |
M, P-Xyiene | Petroleum stocks, coal tar, natural gas, polyester resins, dyes, insecticides solvents, aviation fuel. | Dizziness, nausea, vomiting pulmonary edema, liver impairment and coma. Skin irritation and aspiration hazard. | |
Benzene | Solvents, gasoline, tobacco smoke, etc. | Emphysema, lung disease, lung and brain cancers. | |
Ethylbenzene | Petroleum, coal tar, inks, insecticides carpet glues and paints. | Dizziness, throat and eye irritation, breathing difficulties. Affects on the nervous system, liver, and kidneys. | |
Tretrachloroethylene | Cleaning solvents, textile processing, and metal cleaning. | Hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas, leukemia, renal tubular cell neoplasm. | |
O-Xylene | Plastics, alkyd resins, glass-enforced polyester, vitamin and pharmaceutical syntheses, insecticides, motor fuels. | Irritation of eyes nose and throat, breathing difficulties, skin rash. | |
M,P-Dichlorobenzene | Room deodorizers, urinal and toilet bowl blocks, insecticide fumigant for moth control. plastic in electronics. germicide. disinfectant. fumigants. dyes. | Hepatocellular carcinomas and adenomas, renal tubular cell adenocarcinomas, leukemia. | |
Chloroform | Refrigerants, solvents, photography, dry cleaning, fire extinguishers, alkaloids, vitamins, antibiotics lacquers, floor polishes and adhesives, resins fats, greases, gums, waxes, oils and rubber. | Carcinomas, kidney tumors, renal tubular cell adenomas, neoplastic nodules. Cancer of the arge intestine, rectum, urinary bladder tract. | |
Trichloroethylene | Degreaser, furniture, fixtures, fabricated metal, electrical & electronic equipment, solvent, adhesives, lubricants, paints, arnishes, etc. | Carcinogen: liver and kidney cancers, lon-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate cancer, nultiple myeloma, cervical cancer. | |
Carbon Tetrachioride | Refrigerants, solvents, plastic & resin production, aerosol propellants. | Neoplastic nodules of the liver, carcinomas, liver tumors, cirrhosis, respiratory cancers, liver tumors, leukemia. | |
Styrene | Cosmetics, surface coatings, agricultural chemicals, epoxy resins, polyesters & polyurethanes, hydraulic fluids, chlorinated cleaning compositions. | Mutations chrmosome damage hepatocytes & human embryonal cell breakdown, lymphocyte damage, DNA strand breaks. | Vol 24 Issue 3 Page 7