Untitled Flashcards Set

Neurotoxin

A chemical that disrupts the nervous systems of animals.

Carcinogen

A chemical that causes cancer.

Mutagen

A type of carcinogen that causes damage to the genetic material of a cell.

Teratogen

A chemical that interferes with the normal development of embryos or fetuses.

Allergen

A chemical that causes allergic reactions.

Endocrine disruptor

A chemical that interferes with the normal functioning of hormones in an animal’s body.

Lead

A neurotoxin found in paint and gasoline, causing impaired learning and nervous system disorders.

Mercury

A neurotoxin from coal burning and fish consumption that damages the brain, kidneys, and liver.

Arsenic

A carcinogen found in mining and groundwater that causes cancer.

Asbestos

A carcinogen from building materials that impairs breathing and can lead to lung cancer.

DDT

An endocrine disruptor used as an insecticide that causes feminization of males and thin eggshells in birds.

Atrazine

An endocrine disruptor herbicide known to feminize male organisms and lower sperm counts.

Teratogenic effects of alcohol

Reduced fetal growth and damage to the brain and nervous system of the fetus, leading to fetal alcohol syndrome.

Wastewater

Water produced by livestock operations and human activities, often containing reproductive hormones affecting wildlife.

Estrogen in wastewater

In Chesapeake Bay, estrogen from sewage is linked to hermaphroditism in fish.

Effects of endocrine disruptors

Potential developmental disorders, low sperm counts in men, and increased risk of breast cancer in women.