Module 1: Chapter 10

Bisphenol A (BPA)

an additive used to make the coating of metal cans, dental sealants, and plastic in water bottles, toys, and electronics; has been linked to cancer and disease.

Phthalates

hormone-disrupting chemicals in many plastics

Environmental Health

a field that assesses environmental factors that can influence our health and quality of life

Physical Hazards

one category of environmental hazards that arises from natural environmental processes, such as UV radiation from sunlight and natural disasters

Chemical Hazards

one category of environmental hazards that includes synthetic chemicals such as pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, pesticides, and natural toxins like venom

Biological Hazards

one category of environmental hazards that result from interactions with other organisms, such as viruses, bacteria, insects, or parasites

Infectious diseases

are illnesses that can be spread from person to person

Vectors

organisms that transfer diseases to their host

Cultural hazards

a type of environmental hazards that occur as a result of our place of residence, socioeconomic status, occupation, or behavioral choices.

Noninfectious diseases

disease develops without the action of a foreign organism.

Infectious diseases

spread when harmful microorganisms enter the body through the skin, the air we breathe, or contaminated food or water. Vaccinations, clean public spaces, safe drinking water, reliable food supplies, and education all help prevent the spread of these diseases.

Toxicology

the science of examining the effects of poisonous substances on humans and organisms

Toxicity

the degree of harm caused by a chemical substance called a toxicant

Environmental toxicology

the study of anthropogenic chemicals released into the environment that have human health effects

Radon

a radioactive gas that seeps up from certain types of bedrock. It is colorless and undetectable without specialized kits (one leading cause of lung cancer besides cigarette smoke)

Asbestos

a substance that was used in the past as insulation in walls and other products, and is highly toxic when inhaled

Lead poisoning

poisoning due to the heavy metal lead that, when ingested,d damages the brain, liver, kidneys, and stomach

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

compounds used as fire retardants in a variety of products, including electronics, plastics, and furniture, are hormone disruptors that mess with thyroid hormone

Toxins

are toxic chemicals manufactured in the tissues of living organisms, often used as a defense against others

Silent Spring

A book published in 1962 by Rachel Carson that used scientific evidence to show that pesticides like DDT were harmful to people and the environment, leading to public debate and the eventual ban of DDT in the United States.

DDT

A synthetic chemical pesticide once widely used to control insects, later found to be harmful to humans and the environment, and eventually banned in the United States.

Synthetic Chemicals

Man-made chemical substances, such as pesticides, that can travel through the environment and cause harm to living organisms.

Carcinogens

Substances or types of radiation that cause cancer

Mutagens

are substances that cause genetic mutations in the DNA of organisms

Teratogens

specifically cause birth defects

Neurotoxins

toxins such as heavy metals damage the nervous system.

Allergens

overactivate the immune system, causing an immune response when one is not necessary

Pathway inhibitors

block one or more steps in important biochemical pathways.

Endocrine disruptors

interfere with the functions of body hormones, either by blocking them, accelerating their breakdown, or mimicking their effects.

Acute exposure

high exposure for short periods of time

Chronic exposure

low exposure for long periods of time

Breakdown Products

Simpler compounds formed when toxic substances degrade, which can be less harmful, equally harmful, or sometimes more harmful than the original substance.

Bioaccumulation

The buildup of a substance in an organism’s body over time when it absorbs the substance faster than it can eliminate

Biomagnification

The increase in concentration of toxic substances as they move up the food chain when predators consume contaminated prey.

Case study

the process of observation and analysis of individual patients

Epidemiological studies

large-scale comparisons among groups of people; Involves tracking groups of people for a long period of time and looking for observable differences in rates of deaths, cancer, and other health problems

Dose-response analysis

involves quantifying the toxicity of a substance by measuring its effects on animals at different doses; creates a dose-response curve with results

Dose

amount of substance the animal receives

Response

the type and magnitude of toxic effects the snail exhibits as a result of the dose

threshold dose

when the body’s organs can metabolize or excrete a toxicant at low doses but get overwhelmed at high doses

Synergistic Effects

When two or more chemicals interact in a way that produces a combined effect greater than the sum of their individual effects, these interactions are difficult to study and are often not fully understood in toxicology

Probability

a quantitative description of the likelihood of a certain outcome; how risk is measured

Risk Assessment

The quantitative measurement of risk and the comparison of risks involved in different activities and substances; it involvesdeterminingg whether a substance has toxic effects, performing a dose-response analysis, and assessing the individual’s or population’s likely extent of exposure

Risk management

consists of decisions and strategies to minimize risk based on comparisons of costs and benefits; handled by the FDA, the EPA, and the CDC

Innocent-Until-Proven-Guilty Approach

A regulatory approach that assumes substances are safe until evidence shows they are harmful; it speeds up technological development but can allow dangerous substances to be widely used before thorough testing.

Precautionary Principle

A regulatory approach that assumes substances may be harmful until proven safe; it helps prevent the release of dangerous toxins but can slow technological and economic progress.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

U.S. agency that regulates foods, food additives, cosmetics, drugs, and medical devices to protect public health

Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act

2016 U.S. law that requires stricter testing of industrial chemicals used in products

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

U.S. agency responsible for regulating industrial chemicals and protecting human health and the environment

REACH Program

European Union regulation requiring companies to test chemicals for safety and submit results to governments for approval

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

An international treaty that reduces and eliminates toxic chemicals that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate, biomagnify, and travel long distances.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Toxic chemicals that remain in the environment for long periods, build up in organisms, increase through the food chain, and spread globally