WHICH CHEMICALS CAUSE REACTIONS?
The chemicals commonly implicated in allergy and sensitivity are broadly the same, although allergic reactions are most commonly associated with contact – touching and handling chemicals – while sensitivity is more linked to inhaling chemicals, as well as contact or absorption through the skin or mucosa. Table 4 shows a list of common chemicals causing reactions. If you react to chemicals and have to organise your daily life around avoidance, a list of this kind begs more questions than it answers. Why those chemicals and not others? Where are they found and how do I know? What can 1 actually use?
If you want to know more about which chemicals cause reactions and why, read on from here. The term ‘sensitivity’ in the remainder of this section includes both allergy and sensitivity.
Chemicals Commonly Causing Chemical Sensitivity
COAL TAR AND DERIVATIVES
Asphalt Benzene Creosote Phenol
Some food additives
COMMON CHEMICALS -
Ammonia Chlorine Formaldehyde Sulphur dioxide
CONTAMINANTS IN FOOD AND WATER
Herbicides Insecticides Organic solvents Pesticides
Gas fumes Industrial discharges Paraffin fumes Tobacco smoke Vehicle exhausts
FRAGRANCES (SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL)
NATURAL OILS AND TERPENES
Essential oils Latex
Plant terpenes Turpentine
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
Alcohol (ethanol) Glycerol
Methylated spirits Phenols Styrene Toluene
Trichloroethylene White spirits
SYNTHETIC FIBRES, FABRICS AND MATERIALS
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