CH.9 Flashcards
environmental health
the study of how environmental factors affect human health and our quality of life
hazards
factors that threaten or are harmful to human health
pathogens
disease-causing agents
epidemiology
study of disease in human populations
toxicology
study of how poisonous substances affect an organism’s health
toxicity
determines how harmful a substance is to an organism
dose
the amount of a substance an organism is exposed to
response
the effect an organism shows as a result of exposure
dose-response relationship
the relationship between the different doses and the responses they generate
risk
the probability that a hazard will cause a harmful response
risk assessment
process of measuring risk
infectious disease
diseases caused by a pathogen
emerging disease
a disease that has appeared in the human population for the first time
pollution
matter or energy that is released into the environment causing negative effects
carcinogens
chemicals that cause cancer
teratogens
chemicals that harm embryos and fetuses
neurotoxins
chemicals that affect the nervous system
asbestos
a mineral that forms long, thin microscopic fibers
radon
colorless, odorless, highly toxic radioactive gas
bioaccumulation
process where organisms can build up large concentrations of toxic substances in their bodies
earthquake
the earth shakes
landslide
rock and soil slide down a slope
tsunami
large ocean wave
volcano
an opening in Earth’s crust through which lava, ash, and gases are ejected
