What Different Work Environments Expose Us To — and How to Reduce the Load
I was eating clean, Exercising, reading research papers at night like they were mystery novels.
There was a season in my life when I was doing “everything right.”
It took me years to understand something simple but profound:
And yet, my skin was burning.
My joints were aching.
My energy was unpredictable.
It wasn’t just what I was eating.
It was what I was breathing.
What I was touching.
What I was exposed to — day after day.
When we talk about inflammation, we often talk about food.
But your body lives somewhere for 30–50 hours a week.
Your lungs are there.
Your nervous system is there.
Your metabolism is responding in real time.
So today, I want to gently explore something most people never calculate:
Occupational inflammatory load.
Not to create fear.
But to create awareness — and practical action.
A Simple Truth About Exposure
Exposure alone does not determine outcome.
It is: Exposure × Duration × Metabolic Resilience × Sleep × Stress Regulation
You may not control your profession.
But you can absolutely influence resilience.
Let’s look at some common environments.
Concrete Workers — Dust, Diesel & Skin Exposure
What May Be Present:
- Crystalline silica dust
- Cement particles (alkaline skin irritant)
- Diesel exhaust
- Heavy equipment emissions
Fine dust can irritate lungs over time.
Wet cement can compromise skin barrier.
Reduce the Load:
At Work
- Proper respirator (fitted, not decorative)
- Gloves consistently
- Wet-cutting methods when possible
At Home
- Shower before family contact
- Separate work laundry
- Increase antioxidant-rich foods
- Stay hydrated
Small reductions matter.
Firefighters — Smoke & Circadian Disruption
What May Be Present:
- Combustion byproducts
- PFAS (in certain foams and gear)
- Diesel exhaust
- Night shifts
Shift work alone can affect glucose metabolism.
Add chemical exposure and the load increases.
Reduce the Load:
At Work
- Immediate decontamination
- Wash turnout gear regularly
At Home
- Stabilize blood sugar
- Prioritize sleep protection
- Increase fiber intake
Resilience is built off shift.
Office Workers — The Invisible Metabolic Load
Office environments feel safe.
But prolonged sitting and chronic stress quietly affect:
- Glucose regulation
- Cortisol patterns
- Inflammatory signaling
Reduce the Load:
- Stand every 45–60 minutes
- Walk after meals
- Strength train 2–3x weekly
- Bring whole-food lunches
- Reduce evening blue light
Movement is anti-inflammatory medicine.
Hairdressers & Manicurists — Chemical Inhalation
Repeated exposure to:
- Formaldehyde releasers
- Toluene
- Fragrance compounds
- Acetone vapors
Reduce the Load:
At Work
- Gloves consistently
- Ventilation systems
- Mask during chemical treatments
At Home
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Adequate protein
- Hydration
Your liver works hard. Support it gently.
Healthcare Workers — Chemical and Emotional Stress
Common exposures include:
- Cleaning agents
- Sterilizing chemicals
- Shift work
- Emotional strain
Chronic stress itself is pro-inflammatory.
Reduce the Load:
- Change out of scrubs immediately
- Fragrance-free personal products
- Protein at every meal
- Sleep protection
Immune resilience requires metabolic resilience.
Truck Drivers — Diesel and Sedentary Stress
- Diesel exhaust
- Long sitting hours
- Irregular eating
- Sleep disruption
Reduce the Load:
- Cabin air filters
- Pack balanced meals
- Walk during stops
- Keep resistance bands in cab
Small steps create long-term protection.
The Big Picture
You are not powerless.
The goal is not elimination.
The goal is reducing total load.
When you:
- Stabilize blood sugar
- Increase fiber
- Sleep consistently
- Regulate stress
- Support detox pathways
You change the equation.
Identify
Reduce
Replace
Rebuild
Sustain
That is how we lower inflammatory burden — even inside imperfect environments.
Look to my social Media posts for the quiz that can identify your risk.
Stephanie Larmour Sanders MSRDN, CDE FNLP is a Dietitian, and Functional Nutritionist for over 40 plus years. Her Mission is to join other Health Care professionals that want to reduce the negative effects of chronic inflammation, a leading cause of Diabetes, Cancer, Metabolic , Cardiac and Neurologic diseases. “My goal is to educate at least 100 people in a year period to help them reduce and identify pro-inflammatory lifestyle risk factors. If you want to join this group and help in this mission let me know at my website StephanieLarmourSanders@gmail.com
I started writing down one thing at the end of every day — what I actually managed to do. Not a to-do list, not plans. Just one small win. It’s surprising how quickly it shifts your perspective.
Love that! When I made the changes to my lifestyle at first it seem difficult.Now it is part of my routine.
Love that.
It is helpful to make small simple changes to create new healthy habits.
Respectfully,
Stephanie Larmour Sanders MSRDN, CDE, FNLP
Brandon How are you with your small wins? I continue to update the site weekly and have added my Course, Detecting and reducing proinflammatopry lifestyle factors in 30 days.Great guidance on how to reduce your proinflammatory lifestyle factors.
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