M5: Human Health Risk, Toxicology & Climate Change

What are the three main types of risks to human health?

Physical, Chemical, and Biological risks.

What is an example of a physical risk to human health?

Forest fires, radiation (sunburns), hurricanes.

What are some examples of chemical risks to human health?

Pesticides and heavy metals.

What are biological risks that can affect human health?

Pathogens, viruses, bacteria, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

What is the difference between acute and chronic diseases?

Acute diseases have a fast effect on the body, while chronic diseases have a slow effect.

Give an example of an acute disease.

Strep throat or the flu.

Give an example of a chronic disease.

Alcoholism, heart disease, obesity, or cancer.

What are historical diseases mentioned in the notes?

Spanish flu, cholera, smallpox, plague, tuberculosis, and malaria.

What is the impact of the plague historically?

It killed 200 million people in the 1300s and 12 million in the 19th century.

What is the annual death toll from malaria?

Approximately 600,000 people die every year from malaria.

What are emergent diseases listed in the notes?

Obesity, Type II diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and Mad Cow Disease.

What is a neurotoxin?

A toxin that targets the nervous system, such as lead and mercury.

What are carcinogens?

Substances that can cause cancer, such as arsenic, asbestos, and radon.

What are teratogens?

Substances that cause damage to a developing fetus, like alcohol.

What does the term 'dose makes the poison' refer to?

The idea that the toxicity of a chemical depends on the dose or concentration.

What is LD50?

The dose at which 50% of a sample population dies.

What is ED50?

The dose at which harmful effects start to appear in 50% of a sample population.

What is bioaccumulation?

The increase in chemical concentration within an organism over time.

What is biomagnification?

The increase in chemical concentration in animal tissues as chemicals move up the food chain.

What is risk assessment?

The process of evaluating the probability of exposure and harm.

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative risk assessment?

Qualitative assesses perceived vs actual risk, while quantitative assesses the probability of exposure/harm.

What is the precautionary principle in risk management?

Better safe than sorry; take steps to reduce or remove hazards before harm is shown.

What is the Stockholm Convention?

An international agreement to restrict the global use of persistent organic pollutants. (“Dirty Dozen)

What are 'forever chemicals'?

Chemicals like PFAS that do not break down in the environment and are found in many products.

What is the significance of the year 2001 in relation to environmental health?

The year the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was established.

What are some examples of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)?

Phthalates and PCBs that disrupt hormone balance.