Chemical poisoning is a major public health problem. Approximately 95% of accidental or intentional poisonings are due to chemicals.
Almost 90% of cases happen at home. Younger children, infants, and preschoolers are at very high risk of accidental acute poisoning. However, there is chronic chemical poisoning due to prolonged exposure to these products.
Many chronic degenerative diseases have been associated with this type of poisoning. The list includes cancer, memory lossmultiple chemical sensitivity, allergieschronic fatigue syndrome, adult infertility, learning disorders and behavior, developmental abnormalities, and birth defects in children.
Due to the significant amounts of toxic chemicals that can be found in a home, scientists believe that the home is the most polluted place of all. Any chemical found in the home can be accidentally ingested by young children.
Daily exposure to chemicals inside the home can also pose significant health risks. The main toxic chemicals in the home are volatile organic compounds, radon, lead, carbon monoxide, and those found in household cleaners and carpets.
polluting chemicals Volatile chemicals. Indoor air pollution is due to volatile chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. When we use products that contain volatile substances, these chemicals are trapped inside homes reaching levels several times higher than those in the outdoor air.
Chronic exposure to polluted air can lead to lung infections, headachenausea, mental confusion, fatigue, depression and memory loss. In addition, it can cause injury to the fetus before birth and increase the risk of developing cancer.
The following are some of the most common volatile substances found inside homes:
• Trichloroethane (vaporizer containers, insulation, stain remover).
• Tetrachlorethylene (cleaning and drying solutions) .
• Formaldehyde (rubber, preservative foam, wood polish, insulators).
• Paradichlorobenzene (air coolers, mothballs).
• Toluene (solvents, cleaning fluids, wood polishing products).
• Benzene (gasoline).
• Xylene (paint, finishing products).
• Acetone (nail polish remover).
• Styrene (foams, mats, adhesives).
• Carbon tetrachloride (cleaning and drying solutions, paint strippers).
• Perchlorethylene (cleaning solvents).
Household cleaners. The following chemicals are neurotoxic and are frequently found in household cleaners:
• Chlorine (detergents for dishwashers).
• Ammonium (antibacterial cleaning agents).
• Petroleum (dish soaps, washing machine detergents, floor polishes).
Medicines. Medications are one of the most common causes of accidental poisoning.
dental and intentional Those most commonly implicated are aspirin, paracetamol, sedative and psychoactive drugs (eg, antidepressants), anti-seizure medications, iron tablets, iron-containing vitamin and mineral supplements, and heart medications such as digoxin and quinidine.
occupational hazards Workers are often exposed to the toxic effects of various chemicals in their workplaces:
• Polluted air. Workers in poorly ventilated plants that handle insecticides, paints, fungicides, and pesticides.
• Radiation. Workers in poorly built chemical or nuclear plants.
• Contaminated environment. Miners working underground.
• Noxious fumes. Firefighters are at special risk.
• Skin contact with toxic chemicals. People who work in crops can be accidentally exposed to insecticides.
Environmental and air pollution Air pollution can cause or worsen lung or heart disease and increase the risk of lung cancer. Chemicals that commonly cause air and water pollution are asbestos, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, lead, nitrogen oxides, halogenated hydrocarbons, and pesticides.
Acute intoxication
The following are possible causes of acute poisoning:
• Accidental ingestion of household products. It mainly affects children under five years of age.
• Errors or mixtures in medications. They occur often, especially in elderly patients. Sometimes it is the hospital staff who make the mistake and other times it is the patient who gets confused by taking the wrong drugs or wrong doses.
• Suicide.
• Excess consumption of alcohol or drugs.
The following are the signs and symptoms of acute chemical poisoning:
• Difficulty breathing.
• Changes in skin color.
• Headache or blurred vision.
• Eye, skin or throat irritation.
• sweating
• Dizziness.
• Breath odor: bitter almonds (cyanide poisoning), garlic (arsenic poisoning).
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Unusual conduct.
• Difficulty walking or standing.
chronic poisoning
A person can accumulate toxic amounts of a chemical in their body during daily exposure to chemicals. The usual routes of exposure are:
• Inhalation of a poisonous gas.
• Consumption of contaminated food, water or medicines.
• Contact of chemical or caustic products with eyes, skin or through contaminated clothing.
• Exposure of the pregnant woman to toxic chemicals during pregnancy, especially the first trimester.
Toxic chemicals can have devastating effects on the developing fetus and young children. The following diseases and disorders are associated with chronic exposure to household and environmental pollution:
• miscarriages.
• Low birth weight.
• Premature births.
• Stillbirths.
• Birth defects.
• Sudden infant death syndrome.
• Development delay.
• Poor motor coordination.
• Hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit.
• Aggressive behavior.
• Learning disorder.
• Language problems.
• Autism.
• Sensory deficiencies.
• Allergies and chemical sensitivity in childhood and old age.
• Asthma, alleric rhinitis v sinusitis.
• Cancer in childhood, adult life and subsequent generations.
• Malfunctioning of organs and systems.
• Weakening of the immune system and increased risk of infections.
The following chronic diseases can occur in adults as a result of cumulative chemical poisoning:
• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• skin rashes.
• Dolores.
• Generalized weakness.
• Asthma.
• Increased risk of infections.
• Depression and irritability.
• Liver diseases such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and cirrhosis (a degenerative liver disease).
• Heart diseases.
• Respiratory diseases.
• Cancer.
• Decreased life expectancy.
• Gulf War Syndrome.
folk remedies
Home and natural remedies are not suitable for acute chemical poisoning. However, they may be useful for treating chronic (long-term) exposure to toxic chemicals.
Remedy for chemical poisoning # 1: Consume infusion of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), since it is a powerful antioxidant that protects the liver and helps the detoxification process by increasing the intake of glutathione to the liver. Glutathione is the enzyme primarily involved in the detoxification of numerous toxic chemicals in the environment, such as solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals.
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Remedy for chemical poisoning #2: Pour 2 teaspoons of dandelion leaves into a cup of water and boil for 5 minutes. Cover and let cool. Strain and drink 2 cups a day for 15 days and then only one to complete the month.
Remedy for chemical poisoning #3: Boil, for 5 minutes, 1 tablespoon of burdock in a cup of water. Take 2 cups a day for 15 days and then one until completing 30 days.
Remedy for chemical poisoning #4: Pour 1 teaspoon of nettle and another of horsetail and boil in a cup of water for 5 minutes. Cover and let cool. Take 1 cup a day for a month.
Remedy for chemical poisoning #5 Include turmeric in meals daily.
Remedy for chemical poisoning #6: Consume salads that contain artichoke every day for a month.
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Remedy for chemical poisoning #7: Place 1 small head of broccoli, some cabbage leaves, a clove of garlic and the juice of a lemon in a blender. Add water if desired. Blend for a few moments and drink this juice once a day for 15 days.
recommendations
Identify the responsible chemical agent and avoid future exposure to it.
Follow a liver detox diet what is the organ metabolize most toxins if chronic chemical poisoning is suspected and may last several months. Pregnant women, young children and very frail people should avoid following this diet, whose characteristics are as follows:
• Low fat intake to increase fat mobilization (mobilize fat from body stores for energy). Limited consumption of olive oil and vegetable oils is allowed.
• Limit intake of sugar and highly processed foods and avoid alcohol consumption, caffeine and tobacco.
• Consuming a diet rich in fiber to absorb toxic chemicals and eliminate them from the body.
• Limit consumption of red meat. Most of your protein should come from plant sources, such as legumes and tofu, as well as fish from uncontaminated water.
• Special emphasis should be placed on organic fruits and vegetables (and their juices) that have detoxifying effects: papayas, apples, pears, raspberries, dark green leafy vegetables, carrots, and garlic. Antioxidant foods, such as broccoli, cabbage, yamtomatoes, peaches (peaches), watermelon, peppers, green tea, citrus fruits and whole grains are also highly recommended.
•Increase water intake to at least eight glasses a day to help eliminate waste from the body.
• Carry out dietary supplementation with high potency polyvitamin and mineral products.
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