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Tox Town - Environmental health concerns and toxic chemicals where you live, work, and play
Factoryen español

Why are factories a concern?

Factories are facilities that use machines and equipment to make new products. They are also called plants or mills. 

Factory activities include food processing, textile production, and oil refining. Factories produce bulk materials such as mineral products, metals, and chemicals. They manufacture consumer items such as appliances, clothing, electronics, furniture, leather, office supplies, and toys. They also make medical equipment, pulp and paper, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, plastics, rubber, tobacco, and wood products. 

Many factories use chemicals that can cause short- or long-term human health effects. People can be exposed to these chemicals if they work at a factory, or if a factory releases chemicals into the air, land, or water. The US Environmental Protection Agency keeps track of more than 650 chemicals released by industries, including factories. For more info on chemicals and factories, and how to find out about local chemical releases, see Are these chemicals in MY industry? 

Safety concerns at factories include injuries from machinery, equipment, electrocution, and falls. Factory workers can also be exposed to pollution from vehicles and off-road vehicles while on the job.


Web Links from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine)
Air Pollution
Ergonomics
Eye Injuries
Noise
Occupational Health
Radiation Exposure

More Links
Haz-Map Occupational Health Info (National Library of Medicine)
Hazardous Substances Data Bank 4500+ chemicals (National Library of Medicine)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health home page (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards 670+ chemicals (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Occupational Safety and Health Topics (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets 1700+ chemicals (New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services)
Traumatic Occupational Injuries (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Worker Safety: Concrete Manufacturing (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) PDF Icon
Worker's Page (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Chemicals in Industry
Are these chemicals in MY Industry?
Acetone
Ammonia
Arsenic
Asbestos
Benzene
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Chlorine
Chromium
Diesel
Dioxins
Ethylene Glycol
Formaldehyde
Gasoline
Lead
Mercury
Natural Gas
Nitrogen Oxides
Ozone
Particulate Matter
Perchloroethylene
Pesticides
Phthalates
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Propane
Radon
Solvents
Sulfur Dioxide
Toluene
Volatile Organic Compounds


Last Updated: December 09, 2008

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