Other Chemical Hazards and Toxins

Asbestos is the term for a group of naturally occurring minerals widely used historically in building materials and other products (WHO, no date). All types of asbestos cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, cancer of the larynx and ovary, and asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs) (WHO, no date).

Aflatoxins are mycotoxins – toxic compounds that are naturally produced by certain types of mould (fungi). Aflatoxins are among the most poisonous mycotoxins and are produced by certain moulds (Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus) that grow in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, and grains. Aflatoxins pose a serious health risk to humans and livestock (WHO, 2018a,b).

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral to which the public are often exposed via drinking-water. Depending on dose intake fluoride may have both beneficial effects (reducing the incidence of dental caries) or negative effects (causing tooth enamel and skeletal fluorosis following prolonged high exposure) (adapted from NCBI, 2020 and WHO, no date).

Methanol is a colourless fairly volatile liquid with a faintly sweet pungent odour similar to ethyl alcohol. Outbreaks of methanol poisoning arise from the consumption of adulterated counterfeit or informally produced spirit drinks (adapted from NCBI, 2020 and WHO, 2014).

Substandard and falsified medical products are defined as those that may cause harm to patients and fail to treat the diseases for which they were intended (WHO, 2018).