Week 11 Notes - Chemical Pollution 1.pdf

Disorders Due to Environmental Agents Textbook Chapter 7 Physical and Chemical Agents e That the student would know the major types of diseases caused by chemical exposure and their importance due to the possible consequences of each DISORDERS DUE TO CHEMICAL AGENTS...

Disorders Due to Environmental Agents Textbook Chapter 7 Physical and Chemical Agents e That the student would know the major types of diseases caused by chemical exposure and their importance due to the possible consequences of each DISORDERS DUE TO CHEMICAL AGENTS Toxicology = the distribution, effects, and mechanisms of action of substances that can injure the organism = toxic agents. e Toxins: a naturally occurring (organic) poison e Toxicants = substances that can injure the organism o Disease-causing microorganisms and parasites are toxic in a general sense but are classified as pathogens rather than toxicants e Xenobiotics = exogenous chemicals in the environment that may be absorbed by the body = pollutants e Approximately 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals, including 72 million pounds of known carcinogens, are produced each year in the United States. e In general, however, little is known about the potential health effects of chemicals. e Of the approximately 100,000 chemicals in use in the United States, less than 1% have been tested experimentally for health effects. Classifications of Chemical Causing Injury e Natural occurring agents e Industrial and agricultural agents e Therapeutic agents * Chemicals of abuse Mechanisms of Exposure e Occupational exposure e Incidental exposure (by chance, without intention) e Accidental exposure (by neglect, error, inattention, or carelessness) Voluntary abuse e Suicide or homicide e iatrogenic = by medical treatments or diagnostic procedures. e Contaminated air, water, and food!!! Mechanisms of absorption e inhalation, e ingestion, e skin contact & mucosal contact, e intravascular. General characteristics e may act at the site of entry, e may be transported to other sites. L] Dr M Hossu Notes 173  remain unmodified.