Cause 4. Environmental Culprits: The Hidden Dangers Lurking Around Us
Modernization has brought about undeniable conveniences. However, this progress has come at a cost: the environment bears the brunt of our advancements. Pesticides, herbicides, and certain industrial chemicals have been under the microscope for their role in NHL. These chemicals, though designed to optimize productivity, have a dark side, intertwined with our health.
For instance, let’s consider farmers. Their occupational exposure to insecticides and weed killers gives them a unique vantage point. Interestingly, research has shown that these individuals are more susceptible to NHL. It’s not just mere coincidence; the chemicals they’re exposed to have properties that may cause damage to the DNA of lymph cells.
Moreover, chemical factory workers aren’t spared either. Those involved in rubber manufacturing, or in the midst of solvents and certain metals, have also shown a heightened risk for NHL. The prolonged exposure and the chronic inhalation of these compounds might just be turning the cogs in the machinery that leads to this lymphoma.
Then, there’s the everyday citizen. Ever given a thought to the dry-cleaning solution? Perchloroethylene, commonly used in dry-cleaning, has been associated with an increased NHL risk. While the casual user may not be at a significant risk, those in the thick of it – the workers – might be. (4)
