Depending on your occupation, you could be exposed to numerous, dangerous chemicals in your daily work environment. While businesses are becoming more and more safety conscientious, we have found that many people are exposed to dangerous chemicals without protection.

In the work environment, chemicals that can cause potential problems are found in the following agents: cleaning solvents, dry cleaning solvents, spray paints, paint removers, dyes, fuel such as gasoline and kerosene, degreasers and lubricants.

Another harmful exposure, unique to those who performed or worked around others performing welding, results from the release of manganese contained in welding smoke. Manganese which is found in stainless and carbon steels is also in welding rods. Manganese is a toxin which can cause injury to the parts of the brain that transmit signals to other parts of the body. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified manganese emissions, from welding and other steel processing, as "toxic releases." These emissions cause what is called manganese poisoning or manganese.

Recent studies have also indicated that welders get Parkinson's Disease up to 16 years younger than the general population. Manganese poisoning can occur within as little as 49 days of regular exposure though it usually takes several years or deceased before symptoms appear.

• Decreased movement
• Decreased arm swing when walking
• Tremors
• Shakiness/loss of balance
• Stiffness in an extremity - arms or legs
• Slowed or slurred speech
• Decrease in voice volume
• Involuntary muscle contractions
• Decreased facial expression
• Difficulty writing
• Sudden mood changes/depression
• Short term memory loss

In the home environment, while many household products are being designed with proper warnings, there are occasions where individuals are exposed to harmful concentrations of various chemicals.

• oven cleaners,
• bathroom cleaning products,
• pesticides,
• bug spray,
• drain cleaners,
• carpet cleaners,
• household spray paint products and
• home mechanical cleaning products

If an individual is exposed to some of the previously referenced products without proper protection, various forms of injury can develop. While it would be impossible to list all potential injuries, the following could serve as a guide to alert you to a potential link between your occupational or home exposure.

• various forms of cancer (lung, bladder, brain, kidney, leukemia, lymphoma, skin cancer)
• various forms of learning disability (ADD, ADHD, LD)
• teratogenic effects (effects on the fetus when the mother is exposed before or during pregnancy)
• respiratory effects (breathing difficulties, allergies and other similar conditions)
• gastrointestinal effects (stomach conditions)
• cardiovascular effects (heart problems)
• hepatic effects (various liver conditions)
• renal effects (various kidney effects including blood in the urine and other kidney problems)
• neurological effects (various nervous system disorders, including reflex malfunction and headaches)

If you or someone you know has suffered serious side effects or injury that you believe may be related to chemical exposure, you may be eligible to file a claim.