Take-Home Toxins

An investigation by USA Today discovered that employees in more than 35 states have unknowingly transported toxins home from their workplace. These toxins, discovered on shoes, hair, clothing, and even in cars, include radioactive materials, asbestos, mercury, lead and beryllium, among others. The potential exposure to hundreds of family members is possible, though some may never develop symptoms.

At the current time, there are no federal programs or studies to measure the effectiveness of the present safety practices meant to prevent contamination outside the workplace. However, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is proposing a national research agenda to make recommendations for further investigations in the future. With over 1,000 probable victims in the past twenty years, this investigation is long overdue.

According to the USA Today investigation:

• Instances of known or possible take-home contamination have occurred in at least 40 industries, including medical research, farming, and lead smelting.
• Family members exposed to workplace toxins reportedly have developed cancer of the blood and lungs, learning disabilities, impaired motor coordination, memory loss, liver problems, incurable lung disease, asthma, and seizures. Some have died.
• About 20 substances used on the job have been linked to take-home exposure, and many more are suspected.
• The steps that family members take to reduce risks, such as vacuuming carpets and laundering clothing, may only increase exposure levels by spreading hazards throughout the home.

There are several toxins in the workplace that are repeatedly found in workers' homes and cars, and on their clothing and bodies.

• Asbestos- Causes scarring of the lung tissue and cancer of the pleural lining.
• Beryllium- Exposure to small amounts of the dust can cause a degenerative lung disease in people with a genetic predisposition.
• Cadmium- Linked to lung and prostate cancer; low-level exposure can be toxic.
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons (Chemicals including PCBs)- Some chemicals can cause acne-like skin problems or possible cancer.
• Hormone substances- Health effects include breast development in men and boys and early menstruation.
• Infectious agents- Health effects include giardiasis, an intestinal disease, and bucellosis, an infectious disease caused by bacteria.
• Lead- Harmful to children's brains, nerves, and kidneys.
• Mercury- Causes gastrointestinal problems, tremors, central- and nervous-system effects.
• Pesticides- Causes fetal poisonings.