Researchers finding evidence that those chemicals encountered in peoples everyday routines could be causing subtle but potent health problems other than cancer. While it is now widely accepted that certain diseases may result from exposure to hazardous substances- leukemia, for instance, has been linked to benzene, an ingredient in gasoline. Chemicals cause systemic damage by disrupting the functions of the endocrine system.

Aside from affecting the nervous system, chemicals also destroy the immune system which defends the body against infectious diseases and cancer. Lowered fertility, abnormal sexual development, eccentric behaviour and lowered resistance to diseases were among affects the health.

Most regulations of toxic chemicals had been aimed strictly at preventing cancer and overt poisoning in adults, neglecting subtle chemical effects on development, hormone regulation, the immune system, the nervous system and reproduction.

Society has understood for centuries the dangers posed by many natural and synthetic substances, often through casual observation of diseases that have beset workers in various dirty industries.

Examples:

Lead, a soft bluish-grey heavy metal that resists corrosion. It is part of many different manufacturing process, and is used in batteries, fishing, weights, ammunition, solder, ceramic glaze, and in paint applied to bridges and the hulls of ships.

Lead can create IQ deficits of up to eight points in children without any outward, recognizable signs of language. It is also known as the number one environmental health hazard for children.

Another chemical that may prove to have more effects on the human body is DIOXIN. It is created by the paper industry chlorine bleaching, by waste incineration and as an unintended by product of the manufacture of a pesticide and a wood preservative.

Of the 75 dioxins known to science, the most toxic is the Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. So far, no data yet is available as to who should be accounted for the sources of up to half the dioxin in the environment. 90% of exposure to dioxin comes from food, particularly meat, dairy products and fish.

Researchers studies have shown that low-level exposure to dioxin damages the immune system and reproductive functions. Dioxin also appears to affect behavior and learning ability, which suggest that it is neurotoxic.

Other industrial chemicals which pose health hazards include antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury.

Antimony

Used in the manufacture of foil, batteries, ceramics, safety matches and textiles.

Arsenic

A chemical element whose compounds are deadly poisons,has caused severe health problems.

Cadmium

Used in plating metals and solders. It is soluble in acid foods like fruit juices and vinegar.

Chromium

Used in steel-making, electroplating, leather tanning and as radiator anti-rust inhibitor.

Mercury

Used in the manufacture of the thermometers, felt, paints, explosives, lamps, electrical apparatus and batteries.

Meanwhile, people are now exposed to thousands more chemicals than were their ancestors of a mere 150 years ago. The worlds understanding of how all these substances affect human beings is still elementary.

A lot of Questions have yet to be answered.