Health effect attributions impacts

Health effects attributed to sulfur oxides are likely due to exposure to sulfur dioxide, sulfate aerosols, and sulfur dioxide adsorbed onto particulate matter. Alone, sulfur dioxide will dissolve in the watery fluids of the upper respiratory system and be absorbed into the bloodstream. Sulfur dioxide reacts with other substances in the atmosphere to form sulfate aerosols. Since most sulfate aerosols are part of PMj 5, they may have an important role in the health impacts associated with fine particulates. However, sulfate aerosols can be transported long distances through the atmosphere before deposition actually occurs. Average sulfate aerosol concentrations are about 40% of average fine particulate levels in regions where fuels with high sulfur content are commonly used. Sulfur dioxide adsorbed on particles can be carried deep into the pulmonary system. Therefore, reducing concentrations of particulate matter may also reduce the health impacts of sulfur dioxide. Acid aerosols affect respiratory and sensory functions. 

In 1991, the National Academy of Sciences studied the health effects attributable to toxic waste sites and concluded, [W]e find that the health of some members of the public is in danger, but We are currently unable to answer the question of the overall impact on public health of hazardous wastes. The Academy pointed out that Millions of tons of hazardous materials are slowly migrating into groundwater in areas where they could pose problems in the future, even though current risks could be negligible. The Academy concluded, ...the committee does find sufficient evidence that hazardous wastes have produced health effects in some populations. We are concerned that populations may be at risk that have not been adequately identified, because of the inadequate program of site identification and assessment. ... 

Another advantage cited for organic electronics is their perceived low environmental impact and high expected consumer safety. This assumption is generally based on the notion that plastics are easily recycled and are considered safe to humans and animals. However, the materials used are often completely new compositions with poorly understood health and safety attributes. The assumption that all plastics are completely safe for humans is inaccurate, as is exemplified by recent concerns about the toxicity of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).39 In contrast, most inorganic nanoparticle materials are already on the consumer market and have extensive historical data on their safety in a variety of applications. Some materials, such as zinc oxide, are even considered reasonably safe for ingestion and therefore are commonly used in food and cosmetics. However, the health effects and interactions of nanoparticles on the human body are still a topic of debate.40... 

The impact of plant products on the metabolism of synthetic dmgs results from the inhibition or activation of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzymes. Evaluation of the potential activation of CYP by administration of natural plant products or dietary supplements is important for prediction of interactions between their components and dmgs. Therefore, attention is directed to research on the impact of products available on the food market known as natural non-nutritive substances on dmg absorption. Non-nutritive dietary components are mainly secondary plant metabolites, which include, among others, phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. The health effects of non-nutritive substances are not yet known. So far, there is no answer on the extent to which they are absorbed and metabolized by the body, and there is no information on the permitted daily intake for these compounds. This information is particularly important because certain non-nutritive natural substances are simultaneously considered to be anti-nutritional factors, mainly because they inhibit digestion and reduce the bioavailability of nutrients or dmgs. It is also possible that they form undesirable interactions with dmgs. The positive health effects of non-nutritive natural substances are not only attributed to their antioxidant properties. These substances are involved in various metabolic... 

In contrast to the estimates of the costs of REACH, no financial estimates of the health and environmental benefits of REACH were made by the impact assessment the report pointed out that the lack of knowledge about exposure to and the effects of chemicals - a knowledge gap that REACH is intended to fill — makes quantitative assessment of them impossible. But the report does say that the evidence available supports the assessment that the health burden related to chemicals is considerable (CEC, 2003, p25) and that it seems that the impacts of chemicals on the environment are potentially large (CEC, 2003, p26). However, a calculation of the monetary value of possible health benefits was made as an illustration assuming 1 per cent of disease is attributable to chemicals, and that this would be reduced by 10 per cent following the implementation of REACH, 45,000 disability adjusted life years (DALYs) of disease would be avoided every year. This is equivalent to 4500 lives per year, assuming 10 DALYs is equivalent to one mortal-... 

The health impacts of chemicals are significant, though difficult to quantify. Some estimates are available (WHO 2002) indicating that about 5% of the global burden of disease can be attributed to environmental chemicals exposures. The distribution of effects across the globe is the result of the combined effect of the volume of chemicals use and the effectiveness of chemical safety measures. In the countries of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) in general... 

The events of 1997 had a major impact on research funding for HABS and spurred the adoption of molecular techniques for detection and monitoring of HAB species. Pfiesteria spp. can now be detected and identified in natural water and sediment samples and also at hsh kill events. The current data from these studies indicates a low abundance in nature for these species and no indication of involvement in any hsh kill event since 1998. While a toxic free radical generating activity has been described, the uniqueness to Pfiesteria spp. for this activity and the in situ detection of the activity have not been established. In contrast, K. veneficum has a worldwide distribution, and has been implicated in numerous hsh kill events around the world since 1950, a toxin has been isolated, its structure determined, and rigorously quantihed at specihc hsh kill events. Therefore, we present a scenario for the co-occurrence of K. veneficum and Pfiesteria spp., which explains the hsh kill events of 1997, and subsequent similar events attributed to Pfiesteria spp. The cause(s) for the proposed human health detrimental effects of these events are still unclear. 

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