/Home Below is an alphabetic list of hazards with descriptions and links to information. If you do not see the specific hazard that you are looking for consider the following resources for indepth searching on chemical name, CAS number or chemical category:
A Arsenic Arsenic is a naturally occurring chemical found in our environment. However, natural and human activities have caused greater than normal amounts to collect in the environment, which increases the risk of negative health effects. Arts and Crafts Products Learn which arts and crafts products may contain toxic ingredients. For a list of alternative products, click here. Air Pollution Air pollution is everywhere -- in our homes, schools, worksites and communities; both indoors and outdoors. Asbestos Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. Many asbestos products have been banned due to increased risk of lung, chest, and abdominal cancers in exposed individuals.
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Benzene Benzene is a widely used chemical formed from both natural processes and human activities. Benzene inhalation can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and loss of consciousness; long-term effects include anemia and leukemia. C Cadmium Cadmium and solutions of its compounds are toxic, particularly in soluble and respirable forms, being more easily absorbed through inhaled dusts and fumes. Chronic dust or fume exposure can irreversibly damage the lungs, producing shortness of breath and emphysema. Carbon Monoxide A toxic gas which is odorless, tasteless, and invisible. At high concentrations it can lead to coma or death. At low concentrations it can cause neurobehavioral impairment.
Climate Change Learn about the effects of climate change on the health of humans and the environment. Cleaning Products Find out if the cleaning products you are using are safe. Also, view a presentation on the basics of green cleaning. Construction Materials Our buildings and homes use immense amounts of energy and resources. Green building helps conserve energy and preserve resources. D
Dioxins Dioxins are chemicals that are produced as a by-product of industrial and combustion activities. Dioxins are found at their highest levels in soil, sediment, and animal fatty tissues and may play a role in a variety of health effects. Dust Mites Dust mites are microscopic bugs that live on dead skin cells regularly shed from humans and animals. Their microscopic cast skins and feces are a major component of house dust that can induce allergic reactions in some individuals. E
Electromagnetic Fields Cell phones, power lines, computers and medical equipment expose humans to electromagnetic fields. Should we be alarmed?
Electronic Waste Computers, televisions, and other electronic equipment contain hazardous materials such as lead and mercury. Instead of simply throwing away old electronics, consider e-cycling.
Endocrine Disruptors Endocrine disruptors are synthetic chemicals that when absorbed into the body either mimic or blocks hormones and disrupts the body's normal chemical balance and functions.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Also known as second-hand tobacco smoke, ETS can cause lung cancer in non-smokers and serious respiratory effects in children. F
Food The way food is grown, produced and distributed impacts our health and environment. Learn more at www.healthyfoodinhealthcare.org and Komen Maryland: environmental health starts with sustainable foods Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is a chemical used widely by industry to manufacture building materials and numerous household products. It can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels. High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma.
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Global warming See Climate Change H Hazardous Waste Hazardous waste threatens human health and the environment and are classified as such by their ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. Heavy Metals Accumulated exposure to metals can cause serious harm to human health and fetal development. I Indoor Air Quality There is growing evidence proving that indoor air quality is worse than outdoor air quality. Infectious Agents Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, helminths, and prions are infectious agents that play roles in both human and environmental health. L Latex In recent years, the incidence of occupational asthma in healthcare workers has increased. One of the leading causes of this increase is worker exposure to latex. Lead Lead is a heavy metal used in many materials and products. When absorbed into the body, it is highly toxic to many organs and systems. Even very limited exposures are hazardous to children. M Mercury Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can affect the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to one in 10 women in the U.S. already carry enough mercury in their blood to pose a threat of neurological damage to the fetus. Molds Molds can cause a variety of health effects, especially in immunocompromised individuals. N Needlesticks Health care workers suffer between 600,000 and one million injuries from conventional needles and sharps annually. These exposures can lead to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Noise Pollution Humans are exposed to noise from countless sources each day – traffic, airplanes, construction equipment, and loud music, just to name a few. Excessive noise can affect our health and wellbeing by causing high blood pressure, stress, hearing loss, sleep loss, and decreased quality of life. O Ozone As the stratospheric ozone layer is depleted, higher UV-b levels reach the earth's surface. Increased UV-b can lead to more cases of skin cancer, cataracts, and impaired immune systems. Ozone depletion also affects crop production and the marine food chain. P Paint Paint can contain many dangerous chemicals including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) or lead (in homes built before 1978). Learn how to identify safer paints. Pesticides By their very nature, most pesticides create some risk of harm to humans, animals, or the environment because they are designed to kill or otherwise adversely affect living organisms. Polychlorinated Biphenyls Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a mixture of individual chemicals which are no longer produced in the United States, but are still found in the environment. Health effects associated with exposure to PCBs include acne-like skin conditions in adults and neurobehavioral and immunological changes in children. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons usually occurs by breathing air contaminated by wild fires or coal tar, or by eating foods that have been grilled. PAHs may contribute to reproductive and immunologic health effects and may be carcinogenic. Pregnancy, Environmental Exposures During There are a wide variety of environmental toxins that could affect mother and baby during the pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and post-natal period. R Radiation Exposure to radiation can occur from external sources (gamma or x-rays) or internal sources (rays and particles from radioactive substances entering the body by inhalation, ingestion or wounds.) Radiation can damage cells, eventually causing cancer or genetic mutations. Radon Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000 lives annually.
Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) rBGH is used in 10 - 15% of U.S. dairy cows to increase milk production. There is growing evidence to indicate that rBGH poses unnecessary risks to human and ecological health. Repetitive Motion Nurses are especially at risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders resulting from repetitive movement injuries. Roaches/Roach feces Pests such as cockroaches produce antigens that can trigger asthma attacks in susceptible individuals. They can also carry and deposit disease-causing organisms. S Sharps Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens from needlesticks and other sharps injuries is a serious problem, but it is often preventable.
Sick Building Syndrome The term "sick building syndrome" is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building. The syndrome may be related to poor ventilation, indoor or outdoor chemical contaminants, or biological contaminants such as bacteria or molds. Stress Stress affects both our mental and physical well-being. Developing healthy strategies to deal with stress help us function better in all aspects of our lives. V Vinyl Chloride Exposure to this colorless gas occurs mainly in the workplace. Breathing high levels of vinyl chloride for short periods of time can cause dizziness, sleepiness, unconsciousness, and at extremely high levels can cause death. Breathing vinyl chloride for long periods of time can result in permanent liver damage, immune reactions, nerve damage, and liver cancer. W Wood Dust The inhalation of wood dust particles may cause allergic respiratory symptoms, mucosal and non-allergic respiratory symptoms, and cancer. The extent of these hazards and the associated wood types have not been clearly established. Wood Smoke The fine particulate matter in wood smoke can affect the eyes and respiratory system. It can aggravate chronic heart and lung disease and have more serious effects in the elderly, young children, or immunocompromised individuals. Return to top Last Updated: 05/19/2009 at 01:46:51 PM | 
