Rise of Cancer Due to Industrial & Environmental Hazards: Research Paper

Introduction

The incidences of different types of cancer have increased in the world due to exposure to environmental and occupational toxicants. The most chemical that causes cancer to arise from industrialisation; therefore, causing occupational cancer risks to workers and people living around the polluted areas. Exposure to Arsenic occurs due to environmental and industrial hazards. Groundwater contains a lot of Arsenic chemicals dissolved in it. Contaminated industrial wastes and agricultural chemicals usually get deposited in the Earth's strata; therefore, polluting the groundwater. On the analysis of the situation that brought Arsenic to newsworthiness, the focus was increased health-related risks from the exposure of the chemical. Many people presented changes in their skin colour after prolonged contact with underground water. For example, in Bangladesh, more than two thousand children developed discolouration on their skin surfaces. Another study was done in whereby approximately five thousand industrial workers developed sports and deformities on their hands.

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The presence of toxicant in different types of foods also increased the desire to evaluate the risks factors of the chemical. Drinking water was also analysed in medical and research laboratories to determine the level of the arsenic toxicant. The concentration of the chemical in drinking water and foodstuff contributed to the newsworthiness. The availability of the toxicant in most parts of the world and its related carcinogenic properties in the body also increased the tension among many scientists and health providers. Many research and healthcare facilities provided several potential effects of Arsenic; accentuating the need to reduce the incidences of exposure to the toxicant through the implementation of an appropriate strategy.

Exposure Limit of Arsenic and how People are exposed to the Carcinogenic Toxicant

A review of relevant literature recommends for setting an exposure limit for every toxicant to reduce the carcinogenic risks that may occur. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has provided a permissible limit of Arsenic exposure (Nachman et al., 2017). The limit was set as ten micrograms of the toxicant per cubic meter of workplace air. Any level that exceeds the exposure limits is likely to cause substantial health problems to the people. On the other hand, the World Health Organization, (WHO) has set the limit for arsenic exposure in water to be 10- 50 micrograms per litter. The methods of exposure to Arsenic depends on the geographical location and distribution of the chemical. Arsenic is one of the naturally available metals in the crust of the earth. The wide distribution of the toxicant on the land, in air and water, contribute to the different methods of exposure.

Contaminated water has increased the exposure rates of the carcinogen. Swimming pool water, especially in places near the sea, increases the risks of exposure. A study was undertaken by WHO have shown that swimmers develop skin rashes and lesion after a long period of contact with the contaminated water. Many people around the world have also encountered arsenic intoxication through drinking water containing a high concentration of the toxicant. High level of inorganic arsenic is available underground water in countries like Mexico, Chile, United States of America, Argentina, China and Bangladesh (Smith et al., 2012). Foods also result in the higher incidences of the health issues related to the chemical. For example, shellfish, meat, dairy products and poultry contain high levels of arsenic. On the technical perspective, industrial workers get exposed to the carcinogen through direct contact with raw material and products including the intoxicant. Arsenic is combined with various metal to produce desired alloys. Glass making process requires small amounts of arsenic for hardening. People working in textile industries encounter with arsenic compounds like arsenate which also contribute to carcinogenic risks. Long working hours increases the exposure time; therefore, leading to the accumulation of the chemical in the body. The longer working hours in most of the industrial organisation alters with the recommended arsenic exposure limits.

Toxicological Effects of Arsenic and Assessment of Skin Cancer

World Health Organization has confirmed arsenic as a carcinogenic chemical that exists naturally on the earth's crust and atmosphere. Inorganic arsenic compounds found in water are more toxic than organic ones present in foodstuffs. Arsenic poisoning manifest in different ways, for instance, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Muscle cramping, tingling on the extremities and numbness may also depict arsenic poisoning. Prolonged exposure leads to the development of severe and long-term health effects on the victims (Tompkins, 2011). First, a common toxicological effect of arsenic intoxication present in the form of skin changes and lesion. The pigment of the skin changes from the original appearance. The development of the lesion is attributed by the destruction of the cells, glands and tissues of the skin. Hyperkeratosis results from the changes in the skin pigment. Lesion and hyperkeratosis account to the development of o0f skin cancer.

Life-threatening conditions like myocardial infarction, pulmonary diseases, cancer of the bladder and cardiovascular disease may also arise from prolonged exposure to high doses of the intoxicant. The assessment of skin cancer depends on the amount of intoxicant in which an individual is exposed. The concentration of the accumulated arsenic chemical in the body relates to the mortality rates due to skin cancer prevalence. The increase in the skin cancer mortality rates indicates higher exposure rates and toxicological effects of the carcinogen.

References

Nachman, K. E., Ginsberg, G. L., Miller, M. D., Murray, C. J., Nigra, A. E., & Pendergrast, C. B. (2017). Mitigating Dietary Arsenic Exposure: Current Status in the United States and Recommendations for an Improved Path Forward. Science of the Total Environment, 581, 221-236.

Smith, A. H., Marshall, G., Liaw, J., Yuan, Y., Ferreccio, C., & Steinmaus, C. (2012). Mortality in Young Adults following in Utero and Childhood Exposure to Arsenic in Drinking water. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(11), 1527-1531.

Tompkins, A. (2011). Ghost workers and Greens: Collaborative Engagements in Pesticide Reform, 1962-2011. Arizona State University.