Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for community residents?
Usually the risk is higher to workers because exposures may be higher. However, workers are generally more healthy than the overall population and may be less susceptible to illness than those who are already ill or who are particularly sensitive to chemical exposures (including children and the elderly). Exposures in the community, except possibly in cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those found in the work place. Also people in the community may be exposed to contaminated water as well as to multiple chemicals in the air over long periods. Because of this and because of exposure of those who are already ill, community exposures may cause health problems. • Who is at the greatest risk from reproductive hazards? Pregnant women are generally thought to be at greatest risk from chemicals that harm the developing fetus. However, chemicals may also cause sterility and mutations which can affect future generations, so both men and women of child-bearing age are at high r
