Exposure to toxic substances like arsenic, asbestos, benzene, cadmium, dioxins, fluoride, herbicides, lead, mercury, and pesticides can create serious and lasting health risks. These hazardous materials are often encountered in the workplace, industrial settings, or through environmental contamination.
Over time, exposure has been linked to a wide range of illnesses, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and other forms of cancer. Toxic exposure may also cause kidney, liver, cardiovascular, neurological, and reproductive problems.
Even low-level, long-term contact can disrupt the body’s natural systems, weakening the immune system or damaging vital organs. Because these conditions often take decades to appear, many victims are unaware of the danger until the disease has already advanced.
For those who may have been exposed to asbestos before 1982, free asbestos health exams are available through a lawyer. If a diagnosis of mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer is confirmed, individuals may qualify to pursue a lawsuit or recover compensation through an asbestos bankruptcy trust.
Individuals who are interested in receiving a free asbestos health exam or who wish to begin the process of filing a claim related to exposure to toxic chemicals can contact an asbestos and toxic torts attorney to find out if they qualify to take legal action.
Dangerous Chemicals Linked to Toxic Exposure
Arsenic
Arsenic exposure is highly toxic and dangerous. Long-term contact—often through contaminated water, soil, or workplace environments—can lead to serious health problems, including skin lesions, cardiovascular disease, and various cancers such as lung, bladder, and skin cancer. Chronic arsenic poisoning is a hidden but severe public health risk.
Asbestos
Asbestos exposure is a serious health risk. Tiny asbestos fibers can become lodged in the lungs when inhaled, causing scarring and long-term damage. Over time, this exposure may lead to deadly illnesses such as mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer, often appearing decades after the initial contact.
Benzene
Benzene exposure poses serious health dangers, especially for workers in industrial settings. Inhalation or long-term contact can damage bone marrow and reduce red blood cell production, leading to anemia and immune system problems. Most concerning, benzene is a known carcinogen strongly linked to leukemia and other blood cancers.
Cadmium
Cadmium exposure is extremely hazardous, often occurring in industrial jobs involving batteries, metalwork, or plastics. Inhalation or ingestion can damage the kidneys and lungs, weaken bones, and impair the immune system. Long-term exposure is also linked to lung cancer, making cadmium a dangerous toxic metal with lasting health risks.
Dioxins
Dioxins and dioxin-like substances, such as TCDD and PCBs, are highly toxic environmental pollutants. Even low-level exposure can disrupt hormones, damage the immune system, and impair reproductive health. Long-term exposure increases the risk of cancers, developmental issues, and liver disease, making these persistent chemicals a serious health hazard worldwide.
Flouride
Fluoride plays a key role in dental health, but both inadequate and excessive exposure carry risks. Too little fluoride increases cavities and tooth decay, while too much can cause dental fluorosis, skeletal problems, and even neurological effects. Balanced, safe levels are essential to protect long-term health and well-being.
Herbicides
Herbicide exposure, particularly from Roundup containing glyphosate, can occur in farming, landscaping, or home gardening. Prolonged contact is linked to serious health risks, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, hormone disruption, and organ damage. Communities near treated areas and agricultural workers face the highest dangers from repeated glyphosate and herbicide exposure.
Lead
Lead exposure is a dangerous health hazard that can occur in older homes with lead-based paint, contaminated water pipes, batteries, and certain workplaces. Even small amounts can damage the nervous system, impair brain development in children, and cause kidney disease, high blood pressure, reproductive issues, and other long-term illnesses.
Mercury
Mercury exposure is highly toxic and can occur through contaminated fish, dental materials, mining, or industrial emissions. It damages the nervous system, kidneys, and lungs, and is especially harmful to developing brains in infants and children. Long-term exposure can cause memory loss, tremors, and cardiovascular problems, making mercury a serious health threat.
Pesticides
Pesticide exposure can occur in agricultural fields, home gardens, or through contaminated food and water. Short-term contact may cause skin irritation, dizziness, or nausea, while long-term exposure is linked to cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive harm, and neurological disorders. Farmworkers and communities near treated areas face the greatest health risks.
Contact An Attorney to Find Out Your Legal Options
Exposure to toxic substances can cause severe and lasting health problems. Individuals who believe they were exposed to arsenic, asbestos, benzene, cadmium, dioxins, fluoride, herbicides, lead, mercury, or pesticides should contact an attorney to learn whether they qualify to file a lawsuit. Many of these chemicals are linked to cancers, organ damage, and other serious illnesses, and legal action may be available to those harmed.
In addition, people who believe they were exposed to asbestos before 1982 — including workers, their spouses, and adult children — can receive a free asbestos health exam through an attorney. This exam looks for signs of mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer, diseases that often appear decades after exposure.
If a diagnosis is confirmed, individuals may qualify to file a lawsuit or pursue compensation through an asbestos bankruptcy trust. Workers and their families who are interested in learning about whether they qualify to file a claim can contact an asbestos attorney to learn more about their legal options.
