Risk Factors
Toxicity
The more toxic the chemical, the more likely it will cause health problems, even in small amounts.
Asbestos and cyanide are considered highly toxic because a very small quantity can cause health effects.
Route of Exposure
The way a chemical enters your body affects your risk. Some chemicals, like the pesticide parathion, are very toxic whether they get into the body through the skin, by breathing, or by swallowing. On the other hand, asbestos is only harmful when inhaled or swallowed. A house may have asbestos insulation, but unless the asbestos is disturbed and becomes a dust in the air, it cannot be breathed in, so it will not cause harm.
Dose
For some chemicals, the higher the amount, the greater the damage. For example, acetone is an industrial solvent that is also found in nail polish remover. It is more dangerous to the worker who uses large amounts than to the person who uses a little nail polish remover.
Duration
The longer the exposure, the greater the danger. For example, someone may work with a chemical for half an hour per day, while another person is exposed for eight hours a day. Also, someone may be exposed for one month, while another person may have 20 years of exposure.
Reaction and Interaction
Some chemicals in combination can create a different chemical more hazardous than the original ones (reaction). For example, ammonia and bleach used together can produce a highly toxic chemical. Some chemicals, in combination, can increase the likelihood of harm. For example, workers who have been exposed to asbestos increase their likelihood of getting lung cancer if they smoke cigarettes.
Individual Differences
Chemicals can be more harmful to some people than to others. Lead is much more harmful to small children than adults because it affects their developing brain and nervous system. If two people work with asbestos and one of them smokes, the smoker is more likely to develop asbestos-related lung cancer than the non-smoker.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-10. Two chemicals are combined and react to create a different, more hazardous chemical. What risk factor describes this scenario?
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