Unit 3: Health Education Unit 3: Health Education
Harmful Substances
Harmful Substances
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3. Products containing Organic Solvents
Activity 1: Identifysomeproductsthatcontainorganicsolvents
Thepicturesbelowshowtwoproductscontainingorganicsolvents.
a. Can you name the two products.
b.Can you tell how these products smell?
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c. Is it safe for people to smell or inhale these products? Can you say why?
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DID YOU
KNOW ?
Organic solvents are chemical substances that are usually used in commercial
industries. They are useful because they can dissolve other substances such as oils,
fats, resins, rubber and plastics. They are used to remove oily stains in dry-cleaning and
to clean oil-based paints. However, organic solvents are classied as toxic. High level
exposure may affect people’s health by causing sudden loss of consciousness. Other
symptoms may be nausea, vomiting and dizziness.