ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS AND HUMAN HEALTH (PART 1) Flashcards
1
Q
- What are Environmental Contaminants?
A
- they are harmful chemicals
- they are present in soil, air and water
- they accumulate in our bodies over time
- this may harm our health
2
Q
- Which two kinds of sources do Environmental Contaminants come directly from?
A
- Human Sources
- Natural Sources
3
Q
- What are some examples of Human Sources?
A
- industrial manufacturing
- agricultural run-off
- wastewater discharge
4
Q
- What are some examples of Natural Sources?
A
- taste and odour causing chemicals
- these are generated by algae and by bacteria blooms
5
Q
- What are 7 Key Contaminants?
A
- Nitrosamines
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
- Toxic metals and Elements
- Pesticides
- Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs)
- Fuels and fuel additives
6
Q
- What are Nitrosamines?
A
- they are a group that consists of a large number of compounds
- these are formed by various combinations of amines and nitrogen compounds
- each has a foundational structure:
- N - N = O
- there are hundreds of individual nitrosamine compounds
7
Q
- What effect do Nitrosamines have in animals?
A
- they are Carcinogens
8
Q
- Where are Volatile Organic Compounds found?
A
- in the air
9
Q
- In which industries are organic solvents widely used?
A
- manufacturing of rubber
- manufacturing of plastics
- manufacturing of cleaning agents
10
Q
- What are some examples of Volatile Organic Compounds?
A
- benzene
- toluene
- xylene
11
Q
- Where are Volatile Organic Compounds found within our homes?
A
- Adhesives
- Air Fresheners
- Drapes
- Floor polishes
- Glue
- Carpet Backing
- Dyes
- Liquid Cleaners
- Markers
- Paint
- Toilet Cleaners
12
Q
- What immediate effects do Volatile Organic Compounds have on human health?
A
- eye and respiratory tract irritation
- headaches
- dizziness
- visual disorders
- memory impairment
13
Q
- What are the longer term effects of being exposed to Volatile Organic Compounds?
A
- Neurodepressants
- Neurotoxic to foetuses
(intrauterine growth restriction)
(microcephaly) - carcinogenic
- eye, nose and throat irritation
- headaches
- loss of co-ordination
- nausea
- damage to liver
- damage to kidney
- damage to the Central Nervous System
- Cancer
14
Q
- What are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)?
A
- they are chemicals
- they interfere with the endocrine system
- they do this by mimicking the natural hormones
15
Q
- What are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals associated with?
A
- endocrine problems
- sperm count decline
- cryptorchidism
- breast cancer
- testicular cancer
16
Q
- What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals used in:
DDT, Chlorpyrifos, Atrazine, 2, 4-D, Glyphosate
A
- pesticides
17
Q
- What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals used in:
Lead, Phthalates, Cadmium
A
- children’s products
18
Q
- What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals used in:
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Dioxins
A
- industrial solvents
- lubricants
- by products of the above mentioned
19
Q
- What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals used in:
Bisphenol A (BPA), Phthalates, Phenol
A
- plastics
- food storage materials
20
Q
- What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals used in:
Brominated Flame Retardants, PCBs
A
- electronics
- building materials
21
Q
- What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals used in:
Phthalates, Parabens, UV Filters
A
- personal care products
- sunscreen
22
Q
- What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals used in:
Triclosan
A
- anti-bacterial soaps
- toothpastes
23
Q
- What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals used in:
Perfluorochemicals
A
- textiles
- clothing
- microwave popcorn bags
- old teflon cookware
24
Q
- Which Environmental Contaminants are related to food safety concerns?
A
- toxic metals
- toxic elements
- organometallic compounds
- agricultural chemicals
- persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Phthalates
- Nitrates
- Nitrites
25
Q
- What are some examples of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?
A
- Halogenated Hydrocarbon Pesticides
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- Dioxins
26
Q
- What are some sources of lead pollution?
A
- paint
- industrial processes
- products
- it used to be in gasoline
- nowadays it has been removed
- there is now much less lead released into the environment
27
Q
- What are the affects of Lead on the human body?
A
- it affects the nervous system
- gene functioning
- composition of blood
- kidney function
- endocrine system
(the synthesis of Vitamin D)
28
Q
- How does Lead exposure affect the brain of a child?
A
- lowered IQ
- ADHD
- hearing loss
- damaged nerves
- convulsions
- loss of body movement
- coma
- stupor
- hyper-irritability
- death
29
Q
- How does Lead exposure affect the heart of a child?
A
- higher risks of high blood pressure later on in their adult life
30
Q
- How does Lead exposure affect the Hormones of a child?
A
- disrupts Vitamin D levels
- this can impair cell growth
- it can impair cell maturation
- it can impair tooth and bone development
31
Q
- How does Lead exposure affect the Blood of a child?
A
- it inhibits the body’s ability to make haemoglobin
- this can lead to anaemia
- this reduces oxygen flow to organs
- causes fatigue
- causes lightheadedness
- causes rapid heartbeats
- causes dizziness
- causes shortness of breath
32
Q
- How does Lead exposure affect the Stomach of a child?
A
- it creates intense abnormal pain
- it creates cramping
33
Q
- Hoes Lead exposure affect the Kidneys of a child?
A
- it causes chronic inflammation
- this leads to:
- kidney failure
- bloody urine
- fever
- nausea
- vomiting
- drowsiness
- coma
- weight gain
- confusion
- rash
- urinary changes
34
Q
- How does Lead exposure affect the Reproductive System of a child?
A
- it can lower sperm count
- it can damage sperm
- diminish sperm concentration
- diminish total sperm count
- diminish motility of sperm
35
Q
- How does Lead exposure affect the Bones of a child?
A
- impairs bone development
- impairs bone health
- stunts growth in children
