How Children Differ
As a result of teenagers feelings of invincibility they often ignore safety concerns and precautions. Many hobbies and arts and crafts projects may include use of toxic substances (e.g., auto mechanics, painting, ceramics).
At work, teens may be given the least desirable jobs which often may be those with a hazardous exposure (e.g., risk of injuries while cooking with or cleaning deep fat fryers, which can also expose them to carbon monoxide poisoning from malfunctioning cooking exhaust systems; and while cleaning equipment with solvents.)
Teens are less apt to ask about work safety regulations and protective equipment.
Impact
These activities may result in high levels of exposure to heavy metals, solvents, tobacco smoke, and other chemicals during a period of growth and maturation of the endocrine system and sexual organs as well as the nervous system. The impact of possible interactions of chemical exposures with concurrent exploratory drug and alcohol use and other high risk behaviors common in adolescence is unknown.