You are here:
Environmental Pollution and Health
Citation:
MACPHAIL, R. C. Environmental Pollution and Health. Presented at Invited Presentation, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, April 24, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
This presentation will review some of the major poisoning episodes in modern history, the lessons learned, current concerns over the potential health effects of chemicals, and what is being done to improve our understanding of the complex relationships between environmental pollution and health.
Description:
Enormous progress has been made in identifying chemicals in the environment that adversely affect human health. The environment is cleaner, and, partly as a result, people are living longer and healthier lives. Major uncertainties remain, however, regarding the enormous number of commercial chemicals that are still found in the environment, and in our bodies, and their effects on our well being. Advances in modern toxicology have shown that accurately predicting the health hazards of a chemical requires (1) knowledge of its environmental concentrations, (2) its exposure pathway, (3) mechanism of action, and (4) the biological factors that make us individually susceptible. Rarely is such a complete understanding of a chemical’s toxicity ever achieved. As a result, laboratory studies, computer modeling, and risk estimation are used to predict a chemical’s threat to human health. Depending on the strength of evidence, the result can be an enhanced public awareness of a chemical menace, or formal guidance from a regulatory agency, or enforceable (i.e., legal) standards for chemical exposure.