Toxic chemicals may be either naturally occurring or a result of industrial synthesis.  They are found throughout our environment as a result of industrial, agricultural and urban uses. The sources of these chemicals are many and vary from power plants to pesticides, automobiles to cleaning products. While many of these chemicals were developed with the intention of improving the quality of life for human beings, the ironic reality is that they are now being linked to many of the chronic and fatal diseases that currently plague our society.[1]   Many of these chemicals are designed to remain active in the environment for a long time before breaking down. As a result, they can accumulate in the air, soil and water as they are emitted over time. 

It is important to remember when discussing the health or environmental impacts of toxic chemicals that it is the length of time and severity of exposure that creates a hazard.  Small amounts of mildly toxic chemicals over a short period of time may have no impact whereas a similar amount of highly toxic chemicals over the same period of time may have a substantial impact on health and the environment.  The principle task in environmental cleanup is determining the seriousness of the exposure – both actual and potential – to toxic chemicals polluting a property and using that information to determine the best way to deal with the problem.

Understanding the origins, chemical make-up, and health affects of each of these chemicals can be difficult. To help the public understand the issue, the Federal Government’s Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR) has created a website with all of this information in an easy-to-understand format.  ATSDR is an agency of the Center for Disease Control working under a contract with EPA and the Defense Department on military pollution issues. 

For more information on a specific chemical, visit www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html