Aluminum
Classification of toxicant
Light metal.
Sources
Earth’s crust and dissolved water
Location in the house or room
Aluminum is found in beverage cans, pots and roofing.
Effects on plants and human
Aluminum causes stunted growth in plants and inhibits metabolism.
Aluminum contains carcinogenic substances which cause cancer in human beings.
Route of exposure
Aluminum dissolves in water, which affects both plants and humans. The aluminum dust also, when inhaled, affects the respiratory system.
Distribution
Aluminum is transported in the form of a solvent in water or dust particles in air.
Elimination
Creating awareness of materials made of aluminum and roofing using materials without aluminum metal
Mercury
Classification of toxicant
Inorganic substances and harmful solvents
Sources
Microscopic organisms in water and metals containing mercury
Location in house
Used batteries and skin-lightening creams
Effect on plants and animals
Mercury in water affects aquatic life
Routes of exposure
Dissolves in waters
Distribution
Mercury vapor is carried by polluted air and mixes with rainwater
Toxic response
Inhalation causes memory loss and insomnia
Elimination
Banning of substances containing mercury
Ammonia
Classification of toxicant
Inorganic substances occur naturally
Sources
Bacteria in the intestines of animals produce ammonia
Industrial cleaners
Animal waste
Location in house
Window cleaning products
Effect on plants and humans
Ammonia contains nitrogen, which is essential for plants.
Affects the respiratory tract and causes throat irritation
Routes of exposure
Dissolves and easily mixed with water and air
Distribution
Mix with water and air
Toxic response
Irritation of the eyes and lungs
Elimination
Proper ventilation
Manure management
Toluene
Classification of toxicant
Hydrocarbon and volatile compound
Sources
Crude oil and tolu tree (Irwin, 1997).
Location in house
Paints and fingernail polish
Effect on plants and humans
Impaired immune function in animals
Respiratory problems in humans
Affect the growth of plant cells
Routes of exposure
Emission of burning gasoline and crude fuels
Distribution
Pollute air
Toxic response
Decrease in pulse rate
Mild eye and throat irritation
Elimination
Using alternative clean energy sources
Benzene
Classification of toxicant
Hydrocarbon
Sources
Pesticides, rubbers and dyes
Location in house
Plastic materials
Effect on plants and humans
Decrease in red blood cells leading to anemia
Slow the growth of plants when they are exposed to the soil.
Routes of exposure
Evaporates in the air and dissolves in water
Distribution
Natural processes like volcanicity and human activities like smoking cigarettes.
Toxic response
Delayed growth in plants
Elimination
Barring spillage of substances containing benzene
Lead
Classification of toxicant
Inorganic substances
Sources
Naturally occurring
Location in house
Batteries (Francis, 1994)
Effect on plants and humans
Inhibits photosynthesis
Increased risk of blood pressure
Routes of exposure
Burning of fossil fuels
Distribution
Manufacturing of batteries and metal products
Toxic response
Constipation and memory loss in human
Elimination
Banning the production of lead-containing products
Chromium
Classification of toxicant
Inorganic substance
Sources
Naturally occurring in rocks, volcanic dust and gases
Location in house
Dyes and wood preserving
Effect on plants and humans
Stomach upset and low sugar in humans
Routes of exposure
It dissolves in water and soil
Distribution
Used in making steel, plating and making of dyes
Toxic response
Irregular heart rhythm
Elimination
Regulation on the use of chromium in manufacturing
Arsenic
Classification of toxicant
Inorganic substances and pesticide
Sources
Naturally occurring in the earth’s crust
Location in house
Copper chromate arsenic lumber
Effect on plants and humans
Poisoning, which leads to headaches and drowsiness
Inhibits absorption of minerals by plants in the soil
Routes of exposure
Combines with oxygen in the air and soil
Distribution
Industrial manufacturing
Toxic response
Severe diarrhea
Elimination
Regulation on the production of products containing arsenic materials
Formaldehyde
Classification of toxicant
Volatile organic compound
Sources
Naturally occurring
Location in house
Fertilizer and plywood
Effect on plants and humans
Watery eyes and burning sensations
Hardly affect plants
Routes of exposure
Combines with air
Distribution
Preservatives in foods and medicine
Toxic response
Coughing and skin irritation
Elimination
Avoiding its use as a preservative
Cadmium
Classification of toxicant
Inorganic substance
Sources
Natural elements in the Earth crust
Location in house
Batteries and plastics
Effect on plants and humans
Affects the kidney
Routes of exposure
Use of products with metal coated with cadmium
Distribution
Used in the manufacturing of products such as plastics
Toxic response
Hypertension in humans
Elimination
Banning its use in manufacturing
References
IRWIN, R., VAN MOUWERIK, M. A. R. K., STEVENS, L., SEESE, M. D., & BASHAM, W. (1997). Environmental contaminants encyclopedia asphalt entry.
Francis, B. M. (1994). Toxic substances in the environment. John Wiley and Sons, Inc..
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