Take-Home Toxin Pathway

Abstract

Each year, American families are exposed to toxic substances brought home on the work clothes of other family members. Case studies show that illness and death have resulted and that small amounts of contamination can create an unsafe environment in the home. In this paper, the available data on the transport pathway for workplace chemicals into the home are reviewed. A model to describe contaminant accumulation in the home is proposed. The half-life for some contaminants in the home appears to be on the order of months instead of years.