The Effects of Toxins on the Body

What Are Toxins?

Toxins are those chemicals that can harm an organism when it comes in contact with or is absorbed by the tissues in the body. The effect of the toxin or toxin severity varies; it can be mild as a bee sting or severe as in the case of botulinum toxin.

Hazardous substances are those chemicals that can burn, explode, or react with other chemicals. For example, gasoline can burn, and its vapor can explode, which is hazardous. At the same time, gasoline is toxic, too, as drinking gasoline can produce symptoms like vomiting, drowsiness, etc.

Toxins are classified into the following types based on the body location that is affected:

• Hemotoxins - These toxins destroy the red blood cells and are present in certain snakes.

• Neurotoxins - These toxins destroy cells and cause general tissue damage. They affect the nervous system and are present in widow spiders.

• Phototoxins - These toxins produce allergic reactions.

Which Organ Systems Are Affected by Toxin Exposure?

All organ systems can be affected by toxins; different organ systems get affected due to different toxin exposures.

• Skin:

Allergic and irritant contact dermatitis is present in most cases of occupational skin disorders. Other conditions that can occur due to skin exposure to toxins are:

1. Urticaria (red, itchy skin bumps).
2. Pigment alterations.
3. Chloracne (an uncommon skin condition that occurs due to dioxin exposure).
4. Malignant neoplasm.
5. Children are at greater risk of developing toxicity due to skin exposure to toxins, this is due to increased skin permeability when compared to adults.

• Nervous System:

Neurotoxins can result in the following conditions:

1. Parkinsonism.
2. Ataxia.
3. Seizures.
4. Peripheral Neuropathy.
5. Coma.
6. Death.

Some chemicals may result in mild depression of the central nervous system, which may be misdiagnosed as inebriation. If undetected, it may progress to dementia or psychoses. Toxin exposure may also result in sensory impairment, for example, visual disturbances due to methanol.

• Cardiovascular and Hematologic:

Hematologic and cardiovascular systems are common targets of toxins. The toxins may act on the cardiac cells or the autonomic nervous system and produce effects on the following:

1. Blood pressure.
2. Heart rate.
3. Cardiac contractility.

Exposure to toxins like arsenic, cadmium, lead, vinyl chloride, ozone, etc can result in cardiovascular diseases.

• Reproductive System:

Toxins that affect the reproductive system can lead to the following ill effects:

1. Delayed puberty.
2. Menstrual irregularity.
3. Infertility.
4. Early pregnancy loss.
5. Premature birth.
6. Low birth weight.
7. Fetal death.
8. Impaired fetal growth.
9. Birth defects.

The effect of exposure to the reproductive toxin may not be immediately evident but becomes noticeable during key life transitions like:

1. During puberty.
2. Trying to conceive.
3. Pregnancy.
4. Fetal development.

• Peripheral Neuropathy.

The liver is the main location for detoxification and biotransformation. The initial progression of hepatic dysfunction may be asymptomatic, followed by sudden hepatic failure. Heavy metals and organic solvents are the main toxicants that affect liver and renal function.

• Respiratory:

The respiratory system is both a site of entry for toxins and a target organ for toxins. Toxin exposure may result in asthma or exacerbation of asthma. Xenobiotics are chemical substances that are foreign to the living organism.

Some high-molecular weight xenobiotics that can cause asthma are:

1. Latex.
2. Molds.
3. Flour.
4. Biological enzymes.
5. Endotoxins.

Some low-molecular weight xenobiotics that can cause asthma are:

1. Cleaning agents.
2. Dyes.
3. Glues.
4. Isocyanates.
5. Amines.

What Is Toxicity?

Some substances may be more toxic than others. Toxicity is the ability to produce an ill effect when the chemical substance has reached a specific concentration within the body. The toxicity of a substance depends on many factors: the length of exposure, the quantity of exposure, the effects on the body, etc.

• Potency - The measure of the toxicity of the chemical is called potency. The more potent a chemical is, the more toxic it will be. The breakdown of the chemical within the body also affects its toxicity. An example is carbon tetrachloride; within the body, it changes into a toxic form that can cause liver damage.

• The Type of Effect Produced- Different chemicals produce different effects. For example, one chemical may produce abdominal pain and vomiting but not cancer; on the other hand, another chemical may not produce any symptoms initially but, after long-term exposure, may lead to cancer.

• Routes of Exposure - A chemical produces toxic effects only when it enters or comes in contact with the body.

There are different routes of exposure:

• Inhalation - It is the most common route of exposure. It involves the breathing of gases, mists, dust, or vapors. The toxin can irritate the nasal passage and lungs. The toxin can reach the bloodstream from the lungs and then reach different body parts.

• Ingestion - Swallowing drink, food, or other substances is another route of exposure. Children are at greater risk of ingesting such unwanted substances.

• Direct Contact - This involves entry through direct skin or eye exposure.

• Dose - The amount of substance that enters the body is called dose. Body weight plays a major role in determining the dosage. For example, if a child and an adult are exposed to the same dose of a substance, the child will be affected more due to reduced body weight.

• Length of Exposure - Short-term exposure is acute exposure, and long-term exposure is chronic exposure. Acute exposure is short-term contact with the substance. Chronic exposure is repeated or continuous exposure to the toxin over a long period.

• Sensitivity - All individuals are not equally affected by the same toxin, which means they are not equally sensitive to the same chemical because:

1. Some are allergic to the chemical, so exposure to the chemical in allergic individuals produces serious allergic reactions, while it will not produce such reactions in non-allergic individuals.
2. Genetic differences also play a role in the ability of one’s body to break down or eliminate certain chemicals.
3. Other factors like underlying medical conditions, age, pregnancy, medications, etc, also affect the sensitivity of one’s body to the chemical substance.

What Are the Different Ways One Can Protect Themselves From the Toxic Effects?

To reduce or protect oneself from toxin exposure, the main thing to remember is to minimize the exposure.

The steps one can take include:

• Avoid using toxic products; if unavoidable, try alternative options with fewer toxic ingredients.

• Go thoroughly through the label before using the product; the label contains all safety information, including what to do in an emergency.

• Store the chemical product out of reach of pets and children. Even those with child-resistant packaging may not be childproof.

• Avoid transferring chemicals into a drink or food containers as there is a chance that children may mistakenly consume these.

• Follow the special storage instructions on the product label. For example, if asked to store in a dry and cool place, follow it.

• Follow municipal guidelines for disposing of chemical products and hazardous wastes.

• Prefer using cold water for cooking and making baby formula as hot water may contain high lead levels.

• Water that stays in the water pipes for a long may pick up lead or other metals. Flush the water pipes until the water becomes colder before using it.

• Proper ventilation of the house is important to get fresh air and to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the air.

Conclusion

All are exposed to several toxic substances in their daily life; these include household chemicals, food they eat, and even drinking water. The best way to protect oneself is to minimize exposure. A chemical's effect on one’s body depends on several factors, including the amount of exposure, the route of exposure, and even the individual's genetic composition.