Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 3.15. Selected toxic compounds and their major sources and health effects
Compound
Source
Health effects
Benzene
Gasoline combustion, solvents, tobacco smoke
Respiratory irritation, dizziness, headache,
nausea, chromosome aberrations, leukemia,
produces ozone
Styrene
Plastic and resin production, clothing, building
materials
Eye and throat irritation, carcinogenic,
produces ozone
Toluene
Gasoline combustion, biofuel and biomass
burning, petroleum refining, detergent
production, painting, building materials
Skin and eye irritation, fatigue, nausea,
confusion, fetal toxicity, anemia, liver damage,
dysfunction of central nervous system, coma,
death, produces ozone
Xylene
Gasoline combustion, lacquers, glues
Eye, nose, and throat irritation; liver and nerve
damage; produces ozone
1,3-Butadiene
Manufacture of synthetic rubber, combustion
of fossil fuels, tobacco smoke
Eye, nose, and throat irritation; central nervous
system damage; cancer; produces ozone
Acetone
Nail polish and paint remover, cleaning solvent
Nose and throat irritation, dizziness, produces
ozone
Methyethylketone
Solvent in paints, adhesives, and cosmetics
Headaches, vision reduction, memory loss
Methylene chloride
Solvent, paint stripper, degreaser
Skin irritation, heart and nervous system
disorders, carcinogenic
Vinyl chloride
Polyvinylchloride (PVC), plastics, building
materials
Liver, brain, and lung cancer; mutagenic
Sources: Turco (1997); U.S. EPA (1998); Rushton and Cameron (1999).
now found near lead ore smelters and battery manufac-
turing plants.
abdominal pains, a black line near the base of the gums,
paralysis, loss of nerve function, dizziness, blindness,
deafness, coma, and death. Low doses of lead have
been linked to nervous system damage in fetuses and
young children, resulting in learning deficits and low
IQs. Lead may also contribute to high blood pressure
and heart disease (U.S. EPA, 1998).
3.6.9.3. Health Effects
Health effects of lead were known by the early Romans.
Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, a Roman engineer, stated in
the first century BC,
We can take example by the workers in lead who have
complexions affected by pallor. For when, in casting,
the lead receives the current of air, the fumes from it
occupy the members of the body, and burning them
thereon, rob the limbs of the virtues of the blood.
Therefore it seems that water should not be brought in
lead pipes if we desire to have it wholesome. (Kovarik,
1998)
3.6.10. Hazardous Organic Compounds
The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA90)
required that the U.S. EPA develop emission stan-
dards for each of 189 hazardous air pollutants that were
believed to pose a risk of cancer, birth defects, or envi-
ronmental or ecological damage. Toxic compounds are
released into the air from area sources (e.g., buildings,
industrial complexes), stationary point sources (e.g.,
smokestacks), and mobile sources. Whereas most tox-
ics do not affect concentrations of ozone, the main
component of photochemical smog, many others do.
Table 3.15 identifies selected hazardous organics, their
sources, and their effects on health and ozone levels.
Lead, which accumulates in bones, soft tissue, and
blood, can affect the kidneys, liver, and nervous sys-
tem. Severe effects of lead poisoning include mental
retardation, behavior disorders, and neurologic impair-
ment. A disease associated with lead accumulation
is plumbism . Symptoms at various stages include
 
 
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