How Local Chemical Spills Affect Your Health
Chemical spills are often hushed up or settled out of court, so there is a serious lack of research on the health effects of chemical spills. There have been several high profile chemical spills, after which workers, volunteers, and local residents came forward with a host of medical complains.
Chemical spills can cause toxins and pollutants to enter your body in a number of ways. Fumes coming off the spill, especially in the summer, can waft away from the initial site, spreading the pollutant elsewhere. If the chemical spill is able to leak into the water supply, chemicals can enter your skin while you shower. With chemicals in the water supply, you'll literally be ingesting toxins all day long. Worse, when chemicals drip below the water table, it's practically impossible to get them out.
It doesn't take a brainiac to realize that drinking, breathing in, and bathing in chemicals all day long is terrible for your health. If you're facing a local chemical spill, you might be at risk for some of these symptoms and conditions.
Lung Disease
Inhaling dangerous fumes all day eventually leads to chronic lung disease. If you have developed asthma, a cough, or even lung cancer after a nearby chemical spill, you should reach out to an environmental law attorney. They can help you get the compensation and care you deserve.
Skin Problems
When there are chemical contaminants in the shower, you're going to see the side effects. You might notice chronic dry skin, an itchy scalp, or rashes.
Food Contamination
One of the most unfortunate things about chemicals spills is the effect it has on the environment. Studies conducted on seafood after oil spills have found that the food is contaminated with chemicals. This is especially true of filter feeders who filter water in order to get their food. If there has been a chemical spill near you, avoid seafood, especially oysters.
Cancer
After the 2002 Prestige oil tanker spill, scientists were able to conduct a study on the clean-up workers. In the workers, scientists found high amounts of DNA damage. Workers who did not wear protective masks saw higher rates of damage, implying that the fumes coming off of the oil spill is partially responsible for the damage.
You shouldn't have to pay with your money or your health for a company's carelessness. If you've suffered from any of these symptoms or side effects after a spill, you should contact an attorney to ensure justice is served. In addition, find good emergency response agents to clean up toxic elements from your property.