1.10 Prevention Approaches
23
of the compound itself or one of its metabolites) and the intensity of a biological response that has not yet produced a pathological manifestation. This
second strategy, related to the quantity of absorbed product, will be developed
elsewhere.
1.11 Factors Influencing Toxicity Degrees
Several factors can influence the degree of toxicity of a chemical, namely (Hellman
2003; Silbergeld 1998; Stellman 1998):
1. Pathway into the body
2. Quantity (dose) entering the body
3. Toxicity of the chemical
4. Elimination of the organism
5. Biological variations.
Some factors are or appear extremely important. Two examples can be made here.
Does the amount or dose entering the body matter? The dose of a chemical entering
the body is probably the single most important factor to determine if a chemical
product will cause poisoning. The amount that can cause intoxication depends on
the chemical.
In addition, the elimination rate of the body may be important. Many chemicals
present in the workplace enter the body and are unchanged when they are eliminated,
while others are degraded. The degradation products may be more toxic or less toxic
than the original chemical. Other chemicals are stored temporarily in the organs and
are eliminated soon after. Ultimately, the most part of chemicals and their breakdown
products are eliminated in the stool, urine, sweat, and expired air. Some chemicals,
such as silica or graphite dust, can be inhaled, lodged in the lungs, and left there for
many years. They may never be completely eliminated.
Consequently, the risk of illness caused by a chemical is lower if the body is able
to do one or both of the following (excretion) actions:
1. To degrade the chemical into less toxic products
2. To quickly remove the chemical from the body.
1.12 Main Dangers in General
The real chemical risk is invisible and insidious: Related effects can be delayed in time
(cancers) and sometimes without links with those who use them (bioaccumulable
products). The clear and precise regulations set anchor points for a good control of
the chemical risk. Far from being expensive and insurmountable, it only takes a little
23
of the compound itself or one of its metabolites) and the intensity of a biological response that has not yet produced a pathological manifestation. This
second strategy, related to the quantity of absorbed product, will be developed
elsewhere.
1.11 Factors Influencing Toxicity Degrees
Several factors can influence the degree of toxicity of a chemical, namely (Hellman
2003; Silbergeld 1998; Stellman 1998):
1. Pathway into the body
2. Quantity (dose) entering the body
3. Toxicity of the chemical
4. Elimination of the organism
5. Biological variations.
Some factors are or appear extremely important. Two examples can be made here.
Does the amount or dose entering the body matter? The dose of a chemical entering
the body is probably the single most important factor to determine if a chemical
product will cause poisoning. The amount that can cause intoxication depends on
the chemical.
In addition, the elimination rate of the body may be important. Many chemicals
present in the workplace enter the body and are unchanged when they are eliminated,
while others are degraded. The degradation products may be more toxic or less toxic
than the original chemical. Other chemicals are stored temporarily in the organs and
are eliminated soon after. Ultimately, the most part of chemicals and their breakdown
products are eliminated in the stool, urine, sweat, and expired air. Some chemicals,
such as silica or graphite dust, can be inhaled, lodged in the lungs, and left there for
many years. They may never be completely eliminated.
Consequently, the risk of illness caused by a chemical is lower if the body is able
to do one or both of the following (excretion) actions:
1. To degrade the chemical into less toxic products
2. To quickly remove the chemical from the body.
1.12 Main Dangers in General
The real chemical risk is invisible and insidious: Related effects can be delayed in time
(cancers) and sometimes without links with those who use them (bioaccumulable
products). The clear and precise regulations set anchor points for a good control of
the chemical risk. Far from being expensive and insurmountable, it only takes a little