We don’t give much thought to how hard our lungs work each day and to what we expose them to.
We mostly believe that smoking is the number one cause of lung damage, but we ignore the many other substances we breathe in every day that can damage our lungs. We breathe toxic substances at work, home, makeup, and pollution.
We are going to review the 8 main substances that harm our lung health.
Asbestos: This material is used as insulation in commercial and industrial buildings, it is a fibrous material that has been linked to mesothelioma cancer.
Some of the common symptoms are chest pain, cough, fatigue, nausea, weight loss, and fever.
Carbon monoxide: This is a gas that moves from the lungs into the bloodstream, where it then attaches itself to the hemoglobin molecules. This gas is very dangerous because it can go unnoticed because it has no smell or taste. Some of the symptoms caused by exposure to carbon monoxide are: nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, even loss of consciousness and death.
Benzene: This is a widely used industrial chemical found in synthetic fibers, plastics, rubber lubricants, resins, pesticides, medications, and detergents. It can also be found in the home in adhesives, glues, paint strippers, tobacco smoke, and cleaning products.
Exposure to high levels of benzene can cause symptoms of headaches, dizziness, and drowsiness.
Formaldehyde: This is a carcinogen and a chemical that can make a person sensitive to all other chemicals when there is significant exposure. It causes symptoms such as: itching, burning eyes, headaches and is irritating. Although it may seem like a factory chemical, it can be found in paper towels, fragrances, and air fresheners.
Ammonia: It is very risky for our health, especially our skin and lungs, and it is most dangerous when mixed with bleach or other cleaners. Ammonia can burn skin, mucous membranes, irritate, and is very toxic if swallowed.
Mold and fungus: Molds are part of our environment, they can be found indoors and outdoors. It is not a problem until it begins to grow indoors, because it can affect the air quality in your home. Some of the common symptoms of mold exposure are itchy and burning eyes, cough, lethargy, headaches, and fever. People with allergies and asthma are especially sensitive to molds.
Pesticides: Pesticides are necessary to control insects, however spraying is not accurate and some particles can spread to other areas where it was not designed. Another way we are exposed to pesticides is by eating non-organic fruits and vegetables.
Symptoms that may be experienced are memory loss, loss of coordination, neurological system disturbances, decreased visual ability, uncontrollable behavior and mood. It is also linked to cancer, asthma, allergies, reproductive problems, and hormonal disruption.
Volatile organic compounds: These are gases in the air from processes or products, they can irritate the throat, nose, eyes, cause nausea, damage the nervous system and cause difficulty in breathing.
Volatile organic compounds can be found in paints, pesticides, glues, tobacco, printers, copiers, gasoline, construction products, carpets, wood products, etc.
Those are some of the environmental substances that harm the health of your lungs, be careful, avoid harmful substances and take your daily supplements to keep your immune system strong.