Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the common uses of PFAS substances in everyday products?
What are the common uses of PFAS substances in everyday products?
What does the abbreviation PFOA stand for?
What does the abbreviation PFOA stand for?
What health issues have been associated with PFOA exposure based on studies?
What health issues have been associated with PFOA exposure based on studies?
Why are PFAS substances considered durable?
Why are PFAS substances considered durable?
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What is a common misconception regarding dangerous chemicals?
What is a common misconception regarding dangerous chemicals?
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What is a challenge mentioned in finding alternatives for PFOA?
What is a challenge mentioned in finding alternatives for PFOA?
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What was a suspected driving factor behind the 1918-1919 global influenza pandemic?
What was a suspected driving factor behind the 1918-1919 global influenza pandemic?
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What percentage of children in the poorest countries die before the age of five?
What percentage of children in the poorest countries die before the age of five?
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What is a common fate of children in the richest countries compared to those in the poorest?
What is a common fate of children in the richest countries compared to those in the poorest?
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What type of diseases were previously high on the list of illness burden?
What type of diseases were previously high on the list of illness burden?
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What is becoming more common in the ranking of disease burden today?
What is becoming more common in the ranking of disease burden today?
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Where is much of the change in disease burden occurring?
Where is much of the change in disease burden occurring?
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What factor has contributed to changes in disease burden rankings?
What factor has contributed to changes in disease burden rankings?
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What was the primary measure used to rank the major causes of disease burden?
What was the primary measure used to rank the major causes of disease burden?
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Which population is most affected by emerging chronic disorders?
Which population is most affected by emerging chronic disorders?
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What was a significant factor in the health transition observed in recent decades?
What was a significant factor in the health transition observed in recent decades?
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Which of the following was NOT a focus of health concerns decades ago?
Which of the following was NOT a focus of health concerns decades ago?
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What demographic shift is impacting health trends in low-income regions?
What demographic shift is impacting health trends in low-income regions?
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Which of the following is an example of a chronic disorder?
Which of the following is an example of a chronic disorder?
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How are health agencies adjusting for the costs of chronic illness?
How are health agencies adjusting for the costs of chronic illness?
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What is a consequence of the decrease in infectious diseases combined with an aging population?
What is a consequence of the decrease in infectious diseases combined with an aging population?
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What is the disease that is notably affected due to malnutrition?
What is the disease that is notably affected due to malnutrition?
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What chronic condition is associated with increased disability-adjusted life years?
What chronic condition is associated with increased disability-adjusted life years?
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Which of the following problems is often seen in aging populations, contributing to the global health burden?
Which of the following problems is often seen in aging populations, contributing to the global health burden?
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What role does substance abuse play in the overall disease burden?
What role does substance abuse play in the overall disease burden?
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What does the acronym PFAS stand for?
What does the acronym PFAS stand for?
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Study Notes
Learning Outcomes
- Students should be able to describe health and disease, and how the global disease burden is changing.
- Students should understand the principles of toxicology.
- Students should be able to discuss the movement, distribution, and fate of toxic substances in the environment.
- Students should be able to explain methods for evaluating toxicity and risk.
- Students should be able to relate health policies.
Case Study: PFAS
- PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are used in many products (e.g., non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics).
- PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) are two common types of PFAS.
- PFAS are persistent and widespread in the environment.
- Some PFAS have been linked to health problems in animals and humans.
- Waste disposal was a key contributing factor to environmental contamination with PFOA and related chemicals.
- Major manufacturers had documented associations of PFOA exposure with birth defects and cancer in laboratory animals.
- Proving harm is challenging as long-term exposure to numerous compounds is common.
Environmental Health
- The global disease burden is changing, with infectious diseases decreasing and chronic conditions (heart disease, stroke, diabetes) increasing.
- Health concerns can be evaluated using DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) as well as death rates.
- New diseases emerge as a result of travel, spread of pathogens, and environmental contact.
- Environmental factors (food, clean water, sanitation, health care) play a significant role in health outcomes compared to the past.
- Contaminants like PFAS are a growing concern.
- Air and water pollution pose health risks, impacting millions annually.
- Climate change acts as an environmental health concern, exacerbating air and water quality issues and increasing heat stress.
Infectious Diseases
- Infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19) remain a concern.
- Viruses spread rapidly in a pandemic.
- Global disease burden is influenced by environmental factors that trigger acute or chronic disease.
Chronic Diseases
- Increasingly, chronic conditions are surpassing infectious diseases as leading causes of death, especially in low- and middle-income countries, a consequence of diet.
- Diet (especially the reliance on foods from developed countries), high blood pressure, and tobacco use are major risks.
Infectious Diseases and Wild Species
- Communicable diseases affect wildlife as well as humans.
- Ecological diseases, such as Ebola and white-nose syndrome (WNS) are spreading rapidly, and are devastating wildlife populations.
- The wildlife trade, where animals are often handled or sold close together, is a main contributor to the emergence of new diseases.
Persistence of Toxic Materials
- Many toxic substances are hazardous in low concentrations, particularly persistent substances.
- Substances in high concentrations, such as lead or mercury, accumulate in the environment.
- Exposure routes (air, water, food) determine how substances affect humans, animals, and the environment.
- Bioaccumulation and biomagnification are processes whereby chemicals build up in tissue and concentrate higher up in the food chain.
Assessing Toxicity and Risk
- The dose makes the poison (even essential elements like sodium chloride, can be toxic in high amounts).
- LD50 (lethal dose for 50% of the population) is used to measure toxicity
- Dose response curves show how many individuals react to increasing dosages, with different substances impacting different individuals in different ways.
Critical Thinking Questions
- Various questions are posed in this section, asking students to explore the consequences, the impact on global health, and how to mitigate these risks.
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Description
Test your knowledge on PFAS substances and PFOA. This quiz covers their common uses in products, associated health risks, and significant legal cases involving manufacturers. Learn more about the impact of these substances on health and the environment.
