HSCI 304 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Metal Toxicity, Rachel Carson, Endocrine Disruptor
26 Feb 2020
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Environmental neurotoxicants: heavy metals & metallic compounds, widespread in the environment, natural (deposits in the earth"s crust) & man-made (smelters and coal-fired power plants) sources. Every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death. Top 20 from the atsdr priority list of hazardous substances: arsenic, lead, mercury, pcbs, benzene, cadmium, ddt, chromium, hexavalent, phosphorus, white. Toxic chemicals in the environment: most recognized toxic chemicals were discovered only as a result of an environmental disaster. Increasing evidence linking toxic chemicals with disease and disability at levels previously thought to be safe or innocuous. Still need to revise regulations and reduce exposures to toxic chemicals. Have a high atomic weight with a specific gravity that exceeds the specific gravity of water by five or more times. Toxic to life-forms and not necessary to sustain life. They become more concentrated and potentially more harmful as they move up the food chain.
