Musculo Skeletal System Nervous System

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2.1.4 Cancer

Benign skin tumours and cancers can result from contact with creosote, mineral oils and ultra-violet radiation, and ionising radiation radioisotope work, radiographers can cause skin cancers. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation whilst working outdoors is also a common cause of skin cancer.

2.1.5 Other effects

Dirty work involving mineral oils can lead to oil acne particularly on forearms and thighs. Plugged pores becoming infected produce blackheads and pustules. Chloracne, with blackheads and cysts on the face and neck results from the effects of some polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons on sebaceous glands. Alterations in skin pigmentation can result from chemical contact. Strong alkaline and acid solutions cause burns.

2.2 Musculo Skeletal System

The musculoskeletal system provides form, stability, and movement to the human body. It is made up of the bodys bones, the skeleton, muscles, cartlidge, tendons, ligamanets, and joints. The musculoskeletal systems primary functions include supporting the body, allowing motion, and protecting vital organs. The skeletal portion of the system serves as the main storage system for calcium and phosphorus and contains critical components involved in the production of blood. There are, however, diseases and disorders that may adversely affect the function and overall effectiveness of the system. These diseases can be difficult to diagnose due to the close relation of the musculoskeletal system to other internal systems. The musculoskeletal system refers to the system having its muscles attached to an internal skeletal system and is necessary for humans to move to a more favorable position. 22 The skeletal system serves many important functions; it provides the shape and form for our bodies, in addition to supporting, protecting, allowing bodily movement, producing blood for the body, and storing minerals. Another function of bones is the storage of certain minerals. Calcium and phosphorus are among the main minerals being stored. The importance of this storage device, helps to regulate mineral balance in the bloodstream. This storage ability can be important when it comes to exposure to hazardous substances. For instance; lead is stored in the blood for long periods after exposure, this can be released selectively at a later date and give rise to issues with lead poisoning in the body. e.g. during pregnancy. Source: Wikimedia Commons Figure 2.2 - Skeletal System 23

2.3 Nervous System

The nervous system is a network of specialized cells that communicate information about our bodies surroundings and ourselves. It processes this information and causes reactions in other parts of the body. The nervous system is divided broadly into two categories: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system CNS is the largest part of the nervous system, and includes the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is a term for the collective nervous structures that do not lie in the CNS.. Source: Wikimedia commons Figure 2-3 – Nervous System 24 Industrial toxins can affect the central nervous system brain and spinal cord or peripheral nervous system motor and sensory nerves or both and the resulting conditions depend on the site of attack. The nervous system is similar to the liver in that fat-soluble agents are much more likely to cause damage. They can also cross the blood-brain barrier. Central nervous system damage can produce narcosis, toxic organic psychosis, epilepsy, Parkinsonism and behavioural changes. Perhaps the easiest recognisable central nervous system effect is the acute loss of consciousness produced by narcotic agents such as chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethylene all fat-soluble halogenated hydrocarbons and solvents such as acetone, toluene and carbon disulphide. Behavioural changes, demonstrable by intelligence, dexterity and vigilance tests, have been found to result at much lower levels than normally accepted as safe on exposure to trichloroethylene, white spirit, carbon monoxide and methylene chloride.

2.4 Endocrine system