Environmental Poisoning

Links to information about poisoning due to exposure to environmental toxins and chemicals, such as agricultural and veterinary chemicals, lead, mercury or asbestos.

To find information on pesticides, see the Pesticides Topic Page [HealthInsite Topic Page] .

Reviewed May 2009

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15 Resources Found
Results 1 to 15 displayed.

Title:   Inhalants
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Inhalants are chemical substances that give off fumes at room temperature. Breathing in these fumes produces a quick high', which is similar to feeling drunk. Chroming' (inhaling aerosol spray paint) and petrol sniffing are two common forms of inhalant misuse. Using inhalants on a regular basis can lead to significant health problems including liver, kidney and brain damage and death.
Date:   Jul 2009

Title:   Lead poisoning
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Lead is a metal. It is widely used in industry and, in the past, was added to petrol and household paints. Lead is a hazard when swallowed or breathed in. Children under five years of age are at greatest risk of lead poisoning.
Date:   Mar 2009

Title:   Pink disease
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Pink disease is caused by exposure to mercury. Babies who developed pink disease were particularly sensitive to mercury. Mercury was a common additive in teething powders and other baby products until the 1950s. Symptoms include bright pink hands and feet. Other names for pink disease include acrodynia, erythroedema, Feer's disease, infantile mercury (Hg) poisoning and Swift's disease.
Date:   Mar 2009

Title:   Acceptable Daily Intakes for agricultural and veterinary chemicals
Publisher:   Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Description:   This document sets out the acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) for agricultural and veterinary chemicals used on food producing crops or animals. It includes entries that were recommended by the former Pesticides and Agricultural Chemicals Standing Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council until November 1992 and those established by the TGA since assuming responsibility for establishing ADI's on 12 March 1993.
Date:   Dec 2008

Title:   Lead poisoning
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   If lead gets into the body it can cause many long term health problems.
Date:   Oct 2008

Title:   Cadmium
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Cadmium is a metal used in the manufacture of batteries, and is also found in cigarette smoke. It occurs naturally in some foods at very low levels. High exposure to cadmium has been linked to health problems including certain kidney and lung conditions. Occupations at risk of cadmium exposure include battery manufacture, welding or soldering, smelting, textile work and manufacture. Some fertilised soils may contain high levels of cadmium.
Date:   Sep 2008

Title:   Mercury in fish
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Mercury is often found in fish. Developing foetuses are more vulnerable to the effects of mercury, which may cause developmental delays. Pregnant women are advised to be selective about the kinds and amounts of fish they eat during pregnancy. Fish that contain higher levels of mercury include shark (flake), ray, swordfish, barramundi, gemfish, orange roughy, ling and southern bluefin tuna.
Date:   Jul 2008

Title:   Asbestos in the home
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Asbestos may be present in homes. Common products are fibro cement, or 'AC' sheeting, and heater insulation. Asbestos in home building materials does not generally pose a health risk unless the material is broken, deteriorating or disturbed to produce dust containing asbestos fibres.
Date:   Mar 2008

Title:   Arsenic mine tailing and health
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Arsenic is a substance found in the environment. Earth extracted during mining is called mine tailings. Mine tailings near gold mines may contain high levels of arsenic and children are particularly at risk.
Date:   Mar 2008

Title:   Acute Reference Doses for agricultural and veterinary chemicals
Publisher:   Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Description:   This document sets out the acute reference doses (in units of mg/kg bodyweight) for agricultural and veterinary chemicals used on food producing crops or animals, and is current at 31 December 2007.
Date:   Dec 2007

Title:   Questions and answers for contamination of Bindeez TM beads
Publisher:   Multicultural Health Communication Service (NSW)
Description:   Information on contamination of Bindeez TM beads.
Date:   Nov 2007

Title:   Household poisons
Publisher:   Raising Children Network (RCN)
Description:   Advice about recognising household items that could poison your child, and tips on keeping your child safe.
Date:   May 2006

Title:   Household interventions for prevention of domestic lead exposure in children
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Lead poisoning is associated with adverse effects on development and behaviour in children. Many educational and environmental household interventions to prevent lead exposure in children have been studied. This review of 12 studies found that education...
Date:   Mar 2006

Title:   Dioxins: recommendation for a tolerable monthly intake for Australians
Publisher:   National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Description:   A review of the health risks arising from exposure to dioxins in the environment.
Date:   Oct 2002

Title:   Lead and health: is your family at risk?
Publisher:   Multicultural Health Communication Service (NSW)
Description:   Lead can be in polluted air, older paints, solder, some building materials and even some products we use every day. Because lead can be harmful if it gets into the body, it's important to know how to protect yourself.
Date:   Mar 1998
Results 1 to 15 displayed.