Page 36 - Anandamela 2019

26.Halogenated flame retardants are chemicals incorporated in construc on
materials during manufacturing to slow down or stop the spread of flames
either by forming a protec ve film or by inhibi ng chemical reac ons that sup-
port combus on in case of a fire break out.

When heated, these retardants degrade into toxic substances in gaseous form
which then mix with dust and get into the body through inges on or inhala-
on.
They can cause disrup on of hormones especially thyroid, adverse develop-
mental problems in foetus and children, immunotoxicity, cancer and reproduc-
ve problems.

27.Cadmium. This is a so malleable metal that is resistant to corrosion, insol-
uble in water and non-flammable when in solid state.

It has been widely used on other metals especially steel as corrosion resistant
pla ng. Its compounds have also been used to stabilize plas c and to colour
glass since they are available in red, yellow and orange pigments.

Cadmium fumes, highly soluble compounds or fine dust can cause pulmonary
oedema (accumula on of fluids in the air spaces and ssue in the lungs),
pneumoni s (inflamma on of lung ssue) and death.

High levels of exposure to cadmium have also been linked to prostate, breast
and lung cancer.
28.Vola le organic compounds VOCs are naturally occurring or man-made
chemicals with a low boiling point resul ng in large numbers of their mole-
cules vaporizing and filling the surrounding air.

In building and construc on, VOCs are commonly found in solvents, paint,
plas cs, synthe c fibres, adhesives and protec ve coa ngs. Some of them
such as formaldehyde which emanates from paint have boiling points as low
as just -

VOCs usually cause irrita on to eye and respiratory track, dizziness, memory
impairment, damage to the kidney, liver and central nervous system. Some
have also been found to cause cancer in animals and humans.
29.Silica is a natural occurring substance found in stone, sand, concrete, les

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