Chemicals and other environmental hazards

Facts about environmental health threats:

The environment is everything around us - the air we breathe, the water we drink and use, and the food we consume. It's also the chemicals, radiation, microbes, and physical forces with which we come into contact. Our interactions with the environment are complex and are not always healthy.
Children are particularly vulnerable to toxins – they are smaller and receive a more concentrated dose than adults. Children are shorter, and play and breathe closer to the floor where contaminants accumulate in air and dust.
Pregnant women should also eliminate exposure to chemicals and environmental hazards. Developing organ systems can be disrupted permanently by toxic exposures.

Common environmental health threats:

For a comprehensive list of diseases,
visit the Minnesota Department of Health

Preventing exposure to environmental health threats:

Avoid tobacco smoke. If you smoke, quit. If you do smoke, don’t smoke in closed areas like homes or cars where others may be exposed to secondhand smoke.
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Don't use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door, or vent. Don't run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open. Don't heat your house with a gas oven. Install a carbon monoxide detector.

Prevent exposure to radon. Test your home for radon by using a low-cost detection kit. If your home has high levels of radon, take steps to reduce radon levels by sealing cracks and increasing ventilation.

Protect your skin from exposure. Wear gloves and protective clothing when using chemicals

Have proper ventilation. Use chemicals outside or open a window when using them indoors.

Dispose of chemicals properly. Many common household items contain chemicals that can create environmental hazards if not handled properly. These wastes include old paint, TVs, computer monitors, batteries, fluorescent lights, thermometers and thermostats, waste oil and gasoline, and pesticides.

Decontaminate your skin or clothing. Some kinds of chemical accidents may cause you to come in contact with dangerous chemicals, and you might need to remove and dispose of your clothing right away and then wash yourself.

Avoid mold. If your home has been contaminated with sewage or flood waters, remove and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected, such as mattresses, carpets, rugs, drywall, insulation, and paper products. Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with hot water and detergent.

Monitor air quality. People who are sensitive to the effects of air pollution should monitor the air quality level before going outside. Sensitive people include: the elderly, people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including adults and children with asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory infections, and people with cardiovascular disease.