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Industrial toxicology, its classification and impact on the work environment

Occupational Health and Safety Administration Professional

Teacher: Liliana Cruz

June 22, 2023

Introduction

Occupational health and safety is a fundamental aspect to guarantee the well-being of

workers in any work environment. Currently, it has become a growing concern, companies and
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organizations are increasingly aware of the importance of creating safe and healthy work

environments to protect their employees and minimize the risks associated with work activities.

However, in this context of safety and health at work, it is essential to also consider

environmental toxicology, and we ask ourselves the question: what is environmental toxicology

in safety and health at work? Finding that it is a field of study that focuses on the effects of

chemical substances present in the environment on human health.

Environmental toxicology is a branch of toxicology that deals with the study of the

adverse effects that chemical, physical and biological agents present in the environment can have

on living organisms, including humans. This discipline analyzes how contaminants present in the

air, water, soil and food can interact with biological systems and cause harm. This discipline

deals not only with obvious chemical contaminants, but also with substances that may be present

at low levels but can cause detrimental health effects in the long term.

This essay will explore the importance of environmental toxicology in occupational

health and safety, highlighting the need to implement preventive and control measures to protect

both workers and the environment to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

Environmental Toxicology in Occupational Health and Safety

First of all, it is essential to understand that there are many chemical agents in the work

environment that can have harmful effects on health. These compounds can come from different
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sources, such as industrial processes, chemicals used in production, construction materials,

among others. Some common examples include solvents, heavy metals, pesticides, toxic gases,

and particulate pollutants.

Exposure to these toxic chemical agents can occur in various ways, such as inhalation of

vapors or suspended particles, absorption through the skin, or accidental ingestion, depending on

the nature of the agent and the route of exposure, the effects can range from minor irritations to

serious illness and even death. Therefore, it is essential to apply adequate control measures to

minimize risks.

In addition, it is important to highlight that environmental toxicology is not only

concerned with protecting the health of workers, but also with the environmental impact that

these chemical agents can have on the ecosystem. The contamination of soils, water and air can

generate long-term negative effects, affecting both biodiversity and the quality of life of the

communities near the work areas.

Environmental toxicology in Occupational Health and Safety seeks to understand the

adverse effects that these chemical agents can have on the health of workers, as well as to

determine the necessary preventive measures to minimize exposure and protect the health of

employees.

In summary, environmental toxicology and safety and health at work are areas of study

and fundamental actions to guarantee the protection of people and the environment against the

risks derived from exposure to toxic substances. Collaboration between experts in these fields, as

well as the awareness and active participation of society, are crucial to achieve safe and

sustainable work environments, for them it is very important to analyze, identify and evaluate

chemical risks in the work environment, secondly First, examine the impact of exposure to toxic
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substances on the health of workers and finally address the prevention and control measures that

must be implemented to guarantee a safe and healthy work environment. These measures include

the proper use of personal protective equipment, the implementation of engineering controls in

order to promote the health and well-being of people, and preserving the quality of the

environment for future generations.

Conclusions

• Early identification of risks: Environmental toxicology allows early identification of

risks associated with chemical agents present in the work environment. This helps to

implement appropriate preventive measures before negative effects on the health of

workers occur.

• Accurate exposure assessment: Environmental toxicology provides methods and

techniques to accurately assess worker exposure to chemical agents. These data are

essential for establishing safe exposure limits and designing effective control strategies.

• Prevention of occupational diseases: Thanks to toxicology, it is possible to better

understand the mechanisms of action of environmental chemical agents and the effects

they produce in the human organism. This facilitates the implementation of control and

prevention measures that help reduce the incidence of occupational diseases.

• Education and awareness: Environmental toxicology plays a critical role in educating

and raising awareness of workers and employees about chemical hazards in the

workplace. By promoting the dissemination of up-to-date and understandable

information, a safety culture is fostered and safe work practices are encouraged.
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References

https://www.euroinnova.edu.es/blog/latam/toxicologia-

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n%20laboral%20a%20agentes%20t%c3%b3xicos.

https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/919/91925068012.pdf

https://medicinadeltrabajo.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/toxicologia-aplicada-en- la-

gestion-de-seguridad- y-salud-en-el-trabajo.-dr.-david-combariza.pdf

https://books.google.com.co/books?hl=es&lr=&id=m95aur9gdkqc&oi=fnd&pg=pr15&d

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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10741352_from_industrial_hygiene_and_toxico

logy_to_environmental_hygiene_and_toxicology_problems_and_prospects

https://hsseworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/industrial- hygiene- guide.pdf

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https://courses.aiu.edu/safety%20and%20industrial%20hygiene/8/8.pdf
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