<Li> Asbestos: is a material that was once used for the insulation of buildings, and some businesses are still using this material to manufacture roofing materials and brakes . Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to lung cancer and asbestosis . </Li> <Li> Cadmium: is found in batteries and plastics . It can be inhaled through cigarette smoke, or digested when included as a pigment in food . Exposure leads to lung damage, irritation of the digestive track, and kidney disease . </Li> <Li> Chromium: is used as brick lining for high - temperature industrial furnaces, as a solid metal used for making steel, and in chrome plating, manufacturing dyes and pigments, wood preserving, and leather tanning . It is known to cause cancer, and prolonged exposure can cause chronic bronchitis and damage lung tissue . </Li> <Li> Clinical wastes: such as syringes and medication bottles can spread pathogens and harmful microorganisms, leading to a variety of illnesses . </Li>

When do materials become harmful to the environment