ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS AND HUMAN HEALTH (PART 1) Flashcards

1
Q
  1. 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
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2
Q
  1. Which two kinds of sources do Environmental Contaminants come directly from?
A
  1. Human Sources
  2. Natural Sources
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3
Q
  1. What are some examples of Human Sources?
A
  • industrial manufacturing
  • agricultural run-off
  • wastewater discharge
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4
Q
  1. What are some examples of Natural Sources?
A
  • taste and odour causing chemicals
  • these are generated by algae and by bacteria blooms
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5
Q
  1. What are 7 Key Contaminants?
A
  1. Nitrosamines
  2. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  3. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
  4. Toxic metals and Elements
  5. Pesticides
  6. Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs)
  7. Fuels and fuel additives
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6
Q
  1. 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
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7
Q
  1. What effect do Nitrosamines have in animals?
A
  • they are Carcinogens
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8
Q
  1. Where are Volatile Organic Compounds found?
A
  • in the air
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9
Q
  1. In which industries are organic solvents widely used?
A
  • manufacturing of rubber
  • manufacturing of plastics
  • manufacturing of cleaning agents
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10
Q
  1. What are some examples of Volatile Organic Compounds?
A
  • benzene
  • toluene
  • xylene
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11
Q
  1. Where are Volatile Organic Compounds found within our homes?
A
  1. Adhesives
  2. Air Fresheners
  3. Drapes
  4. Floor polishes
  5. Glue
  6. Carpet Backing
  7. Dyes
  8. Liquid Cleaners
  9. Markers
  10. Paint
  11. Toilet Cleaners
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12
Q
  1. What immediate effects do Volatile Organic Compounds have on human health?
A
  • eye and respiratory tract irritation
  • headaches
  • dizziness
  • visual disorders
  • memory impairment
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13
Q
  1. 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
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14
Q
  1. What are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)?
A
  • they are chemicals
  • they interfere with the endocrine system
  • they do this by mimicking the natural hormones
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15
Q
  1. What are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals associated with?
A
  • endocrine problems
  • sperm count decline
  • cryptorchidism
  • breast cancer
  • testicular cancer
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16
Q
  1. What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
    Chemicals used in:
    DDT, Chlorpyrifos, Atrazine, 2, 4-D, Glyphosate
A
  • pesticides
17
Q
  1. What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
    Chemicals used in:
    Lead, Phthalates, Cadmium
A
  • children’s products
18
Q
  1. 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
  1. What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
    Chemicals used in:
    Bisphenol A (BPA), Phthalates, Phenol
A
  • plastics
  • food storage materials
20
Q
  1. What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
    Chemicals used in:
    Brominated Flame Retardants, PCBs
A
  • electronics
  • building materials
21
Q
  1. What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
    Chemicals used in:
    Phthalates, Parabens, UV Filters
A
  • personal care products
  • sunscreen
22
Q
  1. What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
    Chemicals used in:
    Triclosan
A
  • anti-bacterial soaps
  • toothpastes
23
Q
  1. What are the following Endocrine Disrupting
    Chemicals used in:
    Perfluorochemicals
A
  • textiles
  • clothing
  • microwave popcorn bags
  • old teflon cookware
24
Q
  1. 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
  1. What are some examples of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?
A
  • Halogenated Hydrocarbon Pesticides
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
  • Dioxins
26
Q
  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. How does Lead exposure affect the Stomach of a child?
A
  • it creates intense abnormal pain
  • it creates cramping
33
Q
  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. How does Lead exposure affect the Bones of a child?
A
  • impairs bone development
  • impairs bone health
  • stunts growth in children