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Chapter 16

Chapter 16. The Environment and Human Health. A World Of Chemicals. It is impossible in this “day and age” to avoid the reach of harmful chemicals They are everywhere, including in your vitamins, hair-care products, growth hormones, antibiotics, etc.

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Chapter 16

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  1. Chapter 16 The Environment and Human Health

  2. A World Of Chemicals • It is impossible in this “day and age” to avoid the reach of harmful chemicals • They are everywhere, including in your vitamins, hair-care products, growth hormones, antibiotics, etc. • Almost 90% of these chemicals have never been tested for their short or long-term effects on human health

  3. *The Chemical Industry* • For many large chemical companies, such as Shell, General Electric, etc. chemical sales represent a small segment of total sales and products • Many of the chemicals that these major companies use have not been tested, even though they are claimed to be useful and advantageous (ex. Monsanto Corporation)

  4. *Environmental Risks to Health* • Human illness and even death is often caused when stressors such as hydrocarbons and heavy metals cause environmental damage • These hazardous wastes act as toxins that can usually cause long term affects to eco-systems and can also pose a threat to human beings • Living in or near areas that house these toxic substances can have chronic health effects such as respiratory damage, birth defects, cancer, etc.

  5. *Children and Environmental Contaminants* • Many people, including Canadians especially, are concerned that environmental hazards are having a perverse effect on their children’s health • Children receive more exposure to these environmental hazards than adults, so they are at a higher risk • Toxins such as pesticides act as a great example when it comes to children being at risk

  6. Proving The Environment-Human Health Link • Scientists are just starting to discover that even a low level of exposure to pollutants can have an immense effect of a large amount of people • However, not everyone can be convinced that every major illness is contributed to by pollution • Every human has the tendency to react differently based on implications to their health

  7. Risk Assessment for Toxic Pollutants • Risk=the potential danger of injury, loss, or death associated with a particular substance, technology or activity • Tests are done in various countries to study the potential for an environmental pollutant to cause human health problems • Understanding the risk of pollutants can help to identify the issues of greatest concern so that action can take place to prevent illnesses and diseases

  8. International Efforts To Address Environmental Health Issues • Decisions related to emissions of toxic chemicals made in one country can affect those living in another country • Because of the recognition that he spread of hazardous toxins affects everyone, global action needs to be taken

  9. Guilty Until Proven Innocent • Precautionary Principle=if there is good reason to believe that an activity, technology or substance may be harmful, rather than waiting for absolute proof, action should be taken to prevent the possibility of harm • This principle helps to protect the environment and the people globally

  10. Canada’s Environmental Record • Several studies indicate the important of the role a country plays in reducing the risk of environmental hazards; Canada is one of those countries who does a good job of preventing these hazards • Canada ranks 3rd place in terms of waste per capita! Good job!

  11. Positive Steps!  • Canada launched the Toxic Substances Research Initiative in 1996 • It helps to continue and increase funding, addresses important health issues globally, and builds relationships with other jurisdictions including the US

  12. Fact File • Many girls in North America are beginning puberty by the age of 10, because of organochlorines(compounds that block the action of natural estrogens) • The Union of Concerned Scientists ranked chemical pollution above climate change as the greatest risk to human health • Films such as Erin Brockovich depict real life cases of the prosecution of companies responsible for illness and death due to industrial toxins • Of foods tested for pesticide residues in 1999, one or more pesticides were detected in 78% of apples across Canada • In Ethiopia, for example, there are more than 250 sites that contain 1500 tonnes of leaking pesticides

  13. The End

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