What are the Dangers of the Element Carbon?

Carbon is one of the most important elements of organic life because it forms the long atomic chains that create DNA, the genetic codes of all living things on earth. However, carbon can be a dangerous element in certain situations. Under the right conditions, large amounts of carbon intake can harm both the human body and the environment.

Dangerous Forms of Carbon

• As an element, carbon can be combined with other elements to form compound molecules. Many of the compound molecules that are formed by carbon are detrimental to human health. An example is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a by-product of burning carbon-based fuels. The compound interferes with the body's respiration process, preventing oxygen from going to the brain or internal organs.

Pollution

• The burning of carbon fuels also emits a by-product known as carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is also emitted as a respiratory by-product (in animals) from breathing in oxygen. However, burning carbon-based fuels such as oil or coal emits large amounts of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is considered a greenhouse gas, which means that it absorbs light and heat energy, heating up the atmosphere. Although plant life consumes carbon dioxide for respiration purposes, the sheer amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere is not enough for trees to consume.

Exposure

• If an individual is exposed to carbon, such as in its gaseous form, there can be immediate side effects. For example, coal miners experience skin inflammation from their constant exposure to carbon-rich coal. Coal dust also harms coal miners' lungs, leading to skin cancer or other lung conditions. If a person breathes in carbon-like gases, he may experience breathing problems and oxygen deprivation to the brain.

Poisons and Radiation

• Some chemical compounds are made of rich amounts of carbon. Cyanide, for example, is made of carbon and is a highly toxic poison. Carbon-14 is a radioactive version of carbon that, historically, had been used with nuclear bomb testing. However, Carbon-14 is a long-lasting nuclear atom, and has been reported in areas with previous atomic bombing tests for decades. Many of those areas have seen increased amounts of cancer cases and miscarriages.