Are you wondering what organs can be affected by chemicals in our homes? And how the organs can be affected?
Our bodies are made up of 100 trillion cells. Paaah! That’s a lot. Individual cells are organized into tissues; different kinds of tissues form an organ. Each organ is a member of an organ system.[1]
Our bodies have 10 major organ systems, many of which can be affected by chemicals in our everyday products in ways that you may not think of.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) mentions a few of the possible effects in their publication, Health Effects of Chemical Exposure. Here’s a quick synopsis of the possible effects from harmful chemicals found in everyday products and an overview of the organ systems.
Organs that May Be Affected by Chemicals in our Homes (& symptoms)
Nervous System
“Possible health effects of the nervous system include inability to move, loss of feeling, confusion, and decreased speech, sight, memory, muscle strength, or coordination.”[2]
This organ system includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, and it’s responsible for controlling body activity. “The nervous system is the major controlling, regulatory, and communicating system in the body. It is the center of all mental activity including thought, learning, and memory.”[3] “The brain sends messages through the spinal cord and nerves of the peripheral nervous system to control the movement of the muscles and the function of internal organs.”[4]
Endocrine System
“Exposure to these chemicals can play tricks on our bodies by increasing the production of certain hormones while decreasing the production of others, which can lead to lower IQs and behavioral problems in children, endometriosis in adult women, and diabetes and infertility.”[5]
This organ system includes glands such as pancreas, pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal, and it’s responsible for generating hormones that regulate growth, development, metabolic activities (metabolism), and more.[6]
Cardiovascular System
“Possible health effects include heart failure and the inability of blood to carry the necessary oxygen to the body.”[7]
This organ system includes the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries (small blood vessels), and it’s responsible for making sure that blood reaches every single part of the body—head to toes, skin to internal organs.
Immune and Lymphatic Systems
“Possible health effects of the immune system include overreaction to environmental substances (allergy), immune system slow down or failure, and autoimmunity (autoimmunity causes the body to attack itself—which makes it more likely to have an over-reaction or infection).”[8]
This organ system includes the spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes (commonly referred to as “glands” even though they are actually lymph nodes).[9] It’s responsible for the immune system, which fights to keep our bodies healthy. The immune system, which includes the lymphatic system, has three primary functions: protect the body by fighting against microorganisms and disease (the bad guys), absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins, and return extra tissue fluid to the blood.[10]
Respiratory System
“Possible health effects of the respiratory system include asbestosis, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, fibrosis, emphysema, and decreased oxygen supply in blood.”[11]
This organ system includes the lungs and breathing function. It’s responsible for working with the circulatory system to provide oxygen and remove waste products of metabolism (e.g., carbon dioxide, etc.), and regulates pH of the blood.[12] The respiratory and circulatory systems provide our bodies energy 24 hours per day (the two systems include beating heart and lungs).[13]
Digestive System
“Possible health effects of the hepatic system include liver damage, tumors, accumulation of fat (steatosis), and death of liver cells.”[14]
This organ system includes the digestive tract, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, salivary glands, mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. Tongue and teeth are accessories to the digestive system. It’s responsible for turning food into liquefied food (breaks down food) and into energy.[15]
Urinary System
Possible health effects of the renal system include decreased formation of urine, decreased blood flow to kidney, decreased ability to filter the blood, prevented urine flow, kidney tissue damage, and kidney cancer.[16]
This organ system includes the kidneys and bladder, and it’s responsible for removing liquid waste. “The major task of excretion still belongs to the urinary system. If it fails the other organs cannot take over and compensate adequately.”[17]
Reproductive System
Possible health effects of the reproductive system include decreased ability to have a baby, increased baby deaths, increased birth defects, and infertility (the inability to have children). [18]
This organ system includes the organs that create human life. It’s responsible for ensuring survival of the species.[19] It all starts with two cells.[20]
Integumentary System (Skin)
Possible health effects of the skin include irritation, rash, redness or discoloration, dermatitis, and health effect related to other systems and organs due to contamination through the skin.[21]
This organ system includes skin, hair, and nails. It’s responsible for covering the body to prevent germs from entering the body and damaging internal organs, and helping to maintain the immune system. Skin is the largest organ.[22]
The importance of each of these major organ systems is apparent in their descriptions. Living a healthy life requires that we protect and care for our bodies. While our bodies are amazing, they do have limitations. And we only receive one in a lifetime.
When cells are damaged, they prevent the body from functioning “normally” which could result in a multitude of health conditions.
Your Next Steps
The best way to get rid for the chemicals in our home is to choose healthy (organic, chemical-free) products – right off the bat.
Want ways to transform your home into a healthy home?
Check out our healthy home coaching to see if it’s a good fit for you.
(Excerpt from the book, “Organic Lifestyle Made Easy: How to create a chemical-free household one step at a time.”)
References
[1] National Geographic, Human Body 101, Video, Accessed February 7, 2017,
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/
[2] Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, “Health Effects of Chemical Exposure,” Accessed February 7, 2017: 3.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Health%20Effects%20of%20Chemical%20Exposure%20FS.pdf
[3] “Introduction to the Nervous System,” SEER Training Module, National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute, Accessed February 22, 2017.
https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/nervous/
[4]“What are the parts of the nervous system?,” Health research throughout the lifespan, National Institute of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Accessed February 27, 2017.
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/neuro/conditioninfo/parts
[5] Alex Formuzis and Violet Batcha, “IQs Plummet and Healthcare Costs Surge From Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals,” EWG News and Analysis, October 20, 2016.
[6] “Introduction to the Endocrine,” SEER Training Module, National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute, Accessed February 22, 2017.
https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/endocrine/
[7] Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, “Health Effects of Chemical Exposure,” Accessed February 7, 2017: 2.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Health%20Effects%20of%20Chemical%20Exposure%20FS.pdf
[8] Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, “Health Effects of Chemical Exposure,” Accessed February 7, 2017: 3.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Health%20Effects%20of%20Chemical%20Exposure%20FS.pdf
[9] “Your Immune System,” Kids Health, Date Reviewed: May 2015.
http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/immune.html?ref=search#.
[10] “Introduction to the Lymphatic System,” SEER Training Module, National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute, Accessed February 22, 2017.
https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/lymphatic/
[11] Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, “Health Effects of Chemical Exposure,” Accessed February 7, 2017: 2.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Health%20Effects%20of%20Chemical%20Exposure%20FS.pdf
[12] “Introduction to the Respiratory System,” SEER Training Module, National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute, Accessed February 22, 2017.
https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/respiratory/
[13] National Geographic, Human Body 101, Video, Accessed February 7, 2017,
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/
[14] Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, “Health Effects of Chemical Exposure,” Accessed February 7, 2017: 3.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Health%20Effects%20of%20Chemical%20Exposure%20FS.pdf
[15] National Geographic, Human Body 101, Video, Accessed February 7, 2017,
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/
[16] Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Toxic Substances Portal, Renal (Urinary System or Kidneys). Accessed February11, 2021.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Health%20Effects%20of%20Chemical%20Exposure%20FS.pdf.
[17] “Introduction to the Urinary System,” SEER Training Module, National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute, Accessed February 22, 2017.
https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/urinary/.
[18] Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Toxic Substances Portal, Reproductive (Producing Children). Accessed February 11, 2021.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Health%20Effects%20of%20Chemical%20Exposure%20FS.pdf.
[19] “Introduction to the Reproductive System,” SEER Training Module, National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute, Accessed February 22, 2017.
https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/reproductive/.
[20] National Geographic, Human Body 101, Video, Accessed February 7, 2017,
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/
[21] Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Toxic Substances Portal, Dermal (skin). Accessed February 11, 2021.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Health%20Effects%20of%20Chemical%20Exposure%20FS.pdf.
[22] “Healthy Skin,” American Skin Association, Accessed March 7, 2017.
