How are We Exposed to Hazardous Chemicals?

We are exposed to chemicals in the consumer products we routinely use, the food we eat, in our workplaces and in our homes.

According to industry estimates on any given day an average consumer may use as many as 25 different cosmetic and personal care products, including shampoo, nail polish, aftershave and lotion containing more than 200 different chemical compounds.

A report by the Environmental Working Group, examined ingredients in more than 15,000 personal care products and found that one of every 100 products on the market contains ingredients certified by the government as known human carcinogens- including shampoos, make-up, lotions, etc…

Some of the personal care products often used by women of color contain cancer-causing agents such as hair dyes. For example, 71% of hair dyes, tested by the Environmental Working Group, contained coal tar, a known human carcinogen. Coal tar products are of great concern to the health of women of color- as industry data reveal that 42% of African American women color their hair in a salon.

Many household cleaners also contain chemicals, some of which are toxic. These chemicals may cause short-term health problems like skin and eye irritation when you use them and they may have long-term health impacts as well. Some chemicals in cleaning products have been linked to asthma and reproductive harm.

Check out Women's Voices for the Earth's Website to view safer cleaning alternatives.

Workers and Children- more Susceptible to Chemical Exposure

Although chemical exposures are relevant to the general population, two groups-children and workers are particularly vulnerable. Even low levels of chemicals can disrupt the rapidly developing physiology of infants and children. Many workers depending on their occupation are exposed to highly toxic substances in greater concentrations compared to the general public.

For example, people who work as dry cleaners, laboratory technicians, painters, printers, cosmetologists, manicurists and chemists can be exposed to highly toxic chemicals called organic solvents.

Organic solvents are used in paints, adhesives, glues, coatings, degreasing and cleaning agents as well as in the production of dyes, polymers, plastics, textiles, printing inks, among other products. Health impacts associated with exposure to organic solvents include: cancer, birth defects and reproductive harm.

Health Impacts of Chemical Exposure

Why Current Chemical Policy Does Not Work

PSR-LA's Chemical Reform Work