China produces more than 400 million tons of waste from hazardous chemical products every year, most of which come from industrial sites such as textile, pesticide production, and electroplating.

Because these chemical products come from many sources, countless employees are exposed to extremely dangerous substances every day. The 10 most dangerous chemicals found in the workplace and their associated health risks are listed below.

10 kinds of hazardous chemical products that may be encountered at work

1. Arsenic

Physical state: solid-state

Workplace: agriculture, wood preservatives, glass production, electronic products.

Health risks: cancer, respiratory and circulatory problems, nervous system damage.

2. Lead

Physical state: solid-state

Workplace: usually found near the mining area and in-car batteries, roof materials, statues, electronics, ammunition, sailboats, and diving equipment.

Health risks: anemia, brain injury, kidney disease, birth defects.

3. Benzene

Physical state: liquid

Workplace: crude oil and natural gas. Benzene is also used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents, pesticides, and other chemicals. Benzene is naturally produced by volcanoes and forest fires.

Health risks: bone marrow damage, anemia, massive bleeding, weakened immune system.

4. Chromium

Physical state: solid-state

Workplace: chromium is usually mixed with other metals to make alloys and stainless steel. Chromium is also used as an antirust coating on metal surfaces.

Health risks: asthma, respiratory tract irritation, cancer, damage to eyes, eardrums, kidneys, and liver.

5. Toluene

Physical state: liquid

Workplace: paint thinner, nail polish remover, glue, correction fluid (Bai Tuo), dynamite, printing, leather tanning, ink, detergent.

Health risks: dizziness, anxiety, muscle fatigue, insomnia, numbness, dermatitis, liver and kidney damage.

6. Cadmium

Physical state: solid-state

Workplace: rechargeable battery, coating, solar cell, pigment, plastic stabilizer, electroplating.

Health risks: influenza-like symptoms, damage to the lung and respiratory system, kidney disease, bone disease, cancer, damage to the nervous system, reproductive system, and gastrointestinal system.

7. Zinc

Physical state: solid-state

Workplace: pipe organ, auto parts, sensing equipment, sunscreen, ointment, concrete, paint. It is also used to form alloys with other types of metals.

Health risks: nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, headache, kidney and stomach problems.

8. Mercury

Physical state: liquid

Workplace: measuring instruments, such as thermometer, barometer, fluorescent lamp, mercury vapor lamp, dental filling, telescope, cosmetics, and vaccine.

Health risk: damage to the nervous system, digestive system, immune system, lung, thyroid, kidney, memory loss, insomnia, tremor, neuromuscular changes, and paralysis.

9. Pesticides

Physical state: liquid, solid, gas

It is found in the workplace that although it is not a chemical in itself, many workplaces, such as agriculture and pesticide production plants, contain pesticides for pest control.

Health risks: blindness, rash, blisters, nausea, diarrhea, respiratory problems, cancer, asthma, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease

10. E-waste

Physical state: liquid, solid, gas

Found in the workplace: like pesticides, e-waste itself is not a chemical substance, but a collection of harmful chemicals found in and around waste appliances such as TV sets, refrigerators, microwave ovens, computers, and other household appliances.

Health risks: inflammation, oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease, DNA damage, kidney damage, nervous system damage, cancer.