ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
Although a number of systems are used to characterize environmental hazards, most commonly they are classified as either chemical, physical, mechanical, or psycho-social hazards. Did you know that when you leave out of your bathroom in the morning you have put on over 200 toxins on your body?
Examples of Environmental Health Hazards
AIR, SOIL AND WATER
Safe drinking water is a significant environmental health concern: Air pollution—both indoor and outdoor—raises another set of environmental hazards. Over 50 percent of the U.S. population lives in areas where the outdoor air did not meet EPA standards for contaminants. Pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables, and the bioaccumulation of chemicals in fish and seafood are additional concerns.
THE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT
The workplace is an important setting to consider when studying environmentally related illness; environmental hazards and exposures can be substantial in occupational settings. At present, workplace injuries and fatalities are the most well-documented indices of adverse effects of the environment on health.
THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT
In addition to exposures at home, in the workplace, and in the community, global environmental conditions may also adversely affect human health. Global warming trends over the last century may have numerous untoward health effects should they continue.
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
Individuals vary widely in their susceptibility to adverse health effects following exposure to toxic substances. Personal characteristics such as age, gender, weight, genetic composition, nutritional status, physiologic status (including pregnancy), preexisting disease states, behavior and lifestyle factors, and concomitant or past exposures may all affect human responses to environmental conditions. A large spectrum of environmental agents are potential health hazards. Some of these are common, others are not. Some are apparent, others are not. However, all are important.