I have something in common with you,

And your grandma, 

And your ex-girlfriend, 

And your therapist.

We are all full of chemicals.

And whether you like it or not, those agents can end up doing serious damage to us. Especially the most defenseless population- unborn infants.

Fetal development is a CRITICAL part of creating a healthy child. However, it’s also an incredibly vulnerable process. When external, dangerous and chemically-charged substances get thrown into the mix- the effects can be detrimental.

These agents look like HEAVY METAL toxins and PESTICIDES which can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin. Chemicals like those are used in our everyday lives, and many individuals in your community work hand-to-hand with them as well. Long-term exposure will build up the agents within your system, leading a process called bioaccumulation. This persistent cycle circulates throughout the body, and can negatively impact the fetus.

Environmental toxins can lead to developmental side-effects such as;

• Decreased birth weight + size
• Increased risk for birth defects (muscular dystrophy, brain damage, spina bifida)
• Developmental delays
• Hormone disruption(s)

In Corby, England, children were being born with bizarre features within the 1980’s. Missing limbs, malformed body parts- plagued with lifelong disabilities. What the residents of the town weren’t aware of, were toxic, air-borne particles from a nearby factory haunting the narrative. An old steelworks facility was being torn apart, with thousands of metallic bits and pieces being transported across the UK. However, it was done so in a swift and unsafe manner, leaving large amounts of heavy metal dust to settle in the soil, water and air. In this process, chemicals containing nickel and arsenic found its way into the lungs of surrounding residents. Malformations and birth defects were caused in not just one, but 18 children- striking in the placenta after prolonged exposure. 

In 2009 the affected families reached justice for the damages the factory caused to them, ruling that the organization had failed to uphold the standard for handling toxic materials. It recognized the link between the chemicals becoming an environmental hazard, and influenced the government to take a deeper look into the byproducts of industrial pollution. 

This was actually the first time birth defects had been linked to airborne particles in the WORLD, and even garnered enough attention for a Netflix series (“Toxic Town”) to be created based on the true story.

Instances like these vary based on the strength of the chemical, and the length of time the expecting mother has been exposed to it. Accidentally inhaling trace amounts of nickel one time isn’t enough to create lasting damage. The issue is how many toxins we have churning throughout our bodies, with no clue of their adverse effects.

 

HEAVY-METALS are dense, destructive materials often used in the industrial business. Think about factories, construction sites, underground mining facilities. Heavy-metals look like mercury, lead, copper or zinc. Due to the elements of these minerals, bioaccumulation over a prolonged period can lead to negative consequences. The toxic nature of the metals don’t mix well with organic life. They pose an environmental hazard because of this, and are easily ingested through contaminated food/water sources, air pollution or physical contact. Think back to the previous example in Corby, where airborne particles plagued a nearby town due to poor movement of the toxic heavy-metal dust. This makes daily-interactions in these areas risky, especially if proper safety procedures aren’t followed. 

Career paths like welding, mining technicians, blacksmiths, construction labourers or millwrights are at risk. With such hands-on tactics with these hazardous materials, it’s important to properly protect yourself. Having access to proper education and a safe work-environment is an essential part of staying aware on the job. Many individuals that interact closely with heavy-metals receive less than adequate training on the dangerous effects the material can have on you. In the end, this is the responsibility of the employer. These elements are some of which humans have worked alongside for hundreds of years, and have developed effective safety protocols to stay vigilant. 

In acknowledging that, we have also used heavy-metals in a LOT of products without understanding their risks. This puts older buildings, facilities and even kids' play-things into question. If you live in a residence pre 1980s, it's best to be cautious about;

• Paint/wallpaper
• Plumbing pipes
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Furniture & dishes
• Toys

WHY? Many of these utilized LEAD predating the 1980s, a highly toxic and deadly heavy-metal. It was used to decorate plates and children's toys, mixed into paints and splashed in various decorative items. Not only is it dangerous to children and adults, but prolonged exposure can lead to issues regarding fetal brain development, decreased bone/muscle strength and preterm delivery. Workplace safety is important, but so is being aware of your surroundings.

 

PESTICIDES are chemical agents used to get rid of (you guessed it) “pests.” Mice, weeds, fungus, dozens of sub-categories have been created in order to eliminate annoyances. Insecticides look like bug sprays (RAID) or insecticidal soaps, used to kill or protect against arthropods. Rat poison is an example of rodenticides, using dangerous heavy metals and agents to kill pests like mice, rats, beavers, woodchucks, etc. If left unattended, products like these run the risk of affecting non-targeted parts of the ecosystem. Chalk full of toxic chemicals, which don’t always stop at their intended target.

Pesticides themselves are still a relatively-new advancement, and due to this we still have a lot to understand about their side-effects. It wasn’t until the 1940’s did the area receive an overhaul in scientific advancement. Due to the development of synthetic chemicals used against enemies, many farmers realized they could use these products to their advantage. It was a more effective and cheaper way to control insects and weeds attacking their crops. A very popular insecticide was introduced called “DDT”, a compound originally used in war, became widespread. Now, there are safer alternatives, however it doesn’t make it perfectly fine for humans to be around 24/7.

Due to the highly hazardous nature of these products, it leaves space for disaster. Communities with a higher focus on agriculture are left at risk, as pesticides are highly-used. Chemicals are sprayed on crops to guard them against insects, aid the quality of fruit, or are even applied to harvested plants which prevents deterioration during storage/transport. This puts those in the farming industry, exterminators, green-house workers, horticulturists or even forestry workers at risk. Since the high concentration of pesticides can be spread in the air, runoff, or even on the products themselves- it can spread quite easily without proper regulation. 

How do pesticides affect humans? Short-term exposure can look like;

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Skin rashes/itchiness
• Eye irritation
• Respiratory inflammation

If something feels off, never be afraid to speak up or seek medical assistance. These warning signs can help prevent future health issues, which can turn out to be life-altering scenarios. Catching these hazardous symptoms can go a long way. Not only can long-term exposure impact the body, but fetal development as well. Unfortunate diseases that can spur look like;

• Cancer (leukemia, brain tumors, lung cancer)
• Chronic asthma
• Reproductive abnormalities (infertility, developmental delays, birth defects)
• Alzheimer's
• Dermatitis

It is important to understand that these are PREVENTABLE given proper training, safety equipment and upholding workplace standards. Byproducts that reach surrounding communities are a result of a lax corporation not performing as they should. In many industries, employers chose to ignore these complications in turn for a “bigger buck.” Oftentimes important procedures or handling responsibilities are left behind. Miscommunication is sent through the chain of command, leaving minimum-wage workers and their families to suffer the consequences. This isn’t an issue reduced to rural communities or 3rd-world countries, it’s a global problem. Many factory workers, agricultural associates or blue-collar employees are faced with unsafe exposure every-day.

 

Our health and safety doesn’t deserve to be exploited for a billion-dollar company to make a few more cents off of our wellbeing.

 

Different countries have regulations in place to protect employees from harm, and ensure that institutions upkeep proper standards. In Canada, WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) is enforced to ensure the wellbeing and safe handling of elements. It mandates comprehensive, and updated training is given to all employees. In turn, it also upkeeps with various other workplace regulations. Ensuring each chemical is clearly labeled (name, effects, etc), safe handling procedures, emergency measures, etc. This should be a set-standard world-wide, without a doubt. However, many businesses still fail to upkeep this motive.

In Saskatchewan, Canada, Pro-Tec Industries was left at fault in a fatal incident during 2014. The company specializes in oil + gas manufacturing and construction. In this incident, 2 workers were told to clean out a large tank in a confined setting. During this time they were exposed to lethal amounts of hydrogen sulfide gases from the cleaning products of which they had been instructed to use. Without proper safety equipment (respirator) or knowledge of what the chemicals could do to them, the employees were found deceased. 

Because of poor regulations, training and education- people died.

If this situation can happen in a country with a higher-standard of safety enforced within the workplace, what else is happening worldwide? Who else is being taken advantage of? Why is this continuing to happen?

We should not be left in the dark in these situations. 

Employees in these industries should be armed with;

1. Safety equipment
2. Proper education
3. Applicable training

This shouldn’t be a request, but a mandatory requirement worldwide. Greedy actions harm us all, and lead to terrible consequences. There are so many chemicals of which we don’t fully understand. With the development of various new and venomous agents within the last 100 years, there hasn’t been enough time or research to comprehensively study the side effects. If scientists have only gone so far- why are we allowing these materials to be handled in such unsafe conditions?

Stay safe, educated and healthy.  The impact can go a long way on our future generation(s). Taking action sooner rather than later not only protects yourself, but reduces the risk of chemical-induced malformations during pregnancy. Even if you bear no interest in children, it’s important to carry this knowledge and stay safe at work.

How can I get involved and spread the word?

EDUCATE YOURSELF

• Look deeper into the issue, not just off of one change.org petition. What more can you find? What more can you look into? How does this relate to yourself? Is there someone you know that could be affected? Poke around at what else pesticides and heavy metals are inside of, do you know of any correlation between them and other side-effects?
  • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •  
• Take these questions and ask away, look for verified sources online with a “.edu” or “.gov” when researching on websites. Utilize search engines like “Google Scholar” and “JSTOR.” Misinformation is alive and well. Finding accurate sources is important when taking to the internet.
  • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •  
• You can also reach out to local businesses and even to safety departments within your area. Ask questions as to how they handle certain situations, products and what precautions they use. Getting an answer straight from the source leaves little room for variables.

 

SPREAD AWARENESS

• Connect with others in your community. Are you being impacted by this? Could others be? Spread the word by talking with friends and family, finding personal experiences. Don’t be afraid to speak up on what you think is right, take this narrative and inform others. Ensure others are informed, responsible and safe.
  • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •  
• Sign petitions trying to make a change locally, and globally. (cough cough, like this one!) Small steps can end up making a big difference. Look into the information given, and share them online or post flyers supporting the cause.
  • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •  
• Create a buzz on social media, share information related to workplace safety, the risks of pesticide exposure or even what products could hold high amounts of heavy-metals. This is especially applicable to those who may have homes infatuated with hazardous materials and out-dated supplies. Interactive posts with polls, quizzes and real experiences tend to get picked-up quicker.

 

STAY SAFE

• Take a deeper look at what you’re doing, are you in an industry where the above applies to you? Do you understand and follow the safety precautions? Are you aware of how to properly handle chemicals? Are you using appropriate gear everyday? Do you feel unsafe at work?

Help is available. Report any conditions to the Labor Relations and Workplace Safety board (dependent on your province/territory) under completely confidential measures. You can request an inspection of your workplace or file a complaint.

Remember, you have the right to refuse unsafe work.

If you feel as though there are poignant workplace and safety hazards, please contact the Occupational Health and Safety board. They will look into details such as unsafe handling of materials, poor training, lack of safety equipment, etc. OHS inspectors can issue fines in the workplace, temporarily cease operations, enforce WHMIS rules and stop unsafe work practices. This can be done anonymously, without risking your identity being revealed.

 

What should I do if I believe I've been exposed to (TOXIC) chemicals?

• Seek medical assistance immediately. Go to your local ER, and create a list of your symptoms and signs. Is this long-term exposure? Short-term? Stay informed, and contact your healthcare provider immediately for a follow-up appointment.
  • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •  
• If you believe you have inhaled or ingested any toxic chemicals and have severe symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, seizures or confusion- contact your local Poison Control or immediately dial for emergency services.

 

Change always starts small, and by signing this petition it can begin with you. Be part of the cause to help raise awareness and push for stronger safety protocols regarding hazardous chemicals. It won’t stop without action, and the more people who know the better.

 

Protect the workforce.

Protect yourself.

Protect the future.