Environmental health sourcebook: basic consumer health information about the environment and its effects on human health

Preface pt. I. Understanding the health effects of environmental hazards 1. Your environment and your health 2. Health risk assessment : determining whether environmental substances pose a risk to human health 3. Environmental hazards for children 4. Environmental hazards for pregnant women 5. Environmental hazards for the elderly 6. Racial disparities in exposure to environmental hazards

pt. II. Health concerns and their environmental triggers 7. Human health problems with environmental causes 8. Chemical sensitivity (multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome) 9. Cancer and environmental concerns section 9.1. Environmental causes of cancer section 9.2. Carcinogens section 9.3. Cancer clusters 10. Respiratory problems with environmental triggers section 10.1. Asthma and air pollution section 10.2. Airborne allergies section 10.3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema and chronic bronchitis) 11. Viruses spread through hazards in the environment section 11.1. Avian influenza (bird flue) section 11.2. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) section 11.3. West Nile virus 12. Reproductive issues and the environment section 12.1. Fertility section 12.2. Fetal exposures can lead to adult diseases section 12.3. Endocrine disruptors and reproductive disorders 13. The link between autism and the environment section 13.1. Research on potential environmental causes of autism section 13.2. Vaccinations, thimerosal, and autism

pt. III. Outdoor environmental hazards : air, water, and soil 14. Air pollution section 14.1. Ozone (smog) section 14.2. Particle pollution section 14.3. Acid rain 15. Climate change and extreme heat 16. Noise pollution 17. Ultraviolet (UV) light 18. Drinking water section 18.1. Drinking water hazards section 18.2. Lead in drinking water section 18.3. Household wells section 18.4. Fluoride section 18.5. Chlorination and water disinfection byproducts section 18.6. Bottled water 19. Swimming water 20. Harmful algae blooms (red tides) 21. Soil contamination section 21.1. Pesticides section 21.2. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) as pollutants section 21.3. Effects of industrial agriculture section 21.4. Landfills 22. Bioterrorism and Chemical emergencies

pt. IV. Household and indoor hazards 23. The importance of indoor air quality 24. Harmful agents in indoor air section 24.1. Biological contaminants section 24.2. Carbon monoxide section 24.3. Combustion pollutants section 24.4. Flame retardants (polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs) section 24.5. Formaldehyde section 24.6. Household chemicals section 24.7. Pesticides section 24.8. Radon section 24.9. Secondhand smoke 25. Mold 26. Asbestos 27. Lead paint 28. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 29. Radiation exposure from microwaves and cell phones 30. Electric and magnetic field (EMF) exposure

pt. V. Foodborne hazards 31. Food safety section 31.1. Food safety regulations section 31.2. Irradiated foods 32. Food allergies and intolerance 33. Common chemical contaminants in the food supply section 33.1. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) section 33.2. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) section 33.3. Dioxins (Furan) 34. Contaminants in fish and shellfish section 34.1. Mercury and PCBs section 34.2. Shellfish-associated toxins section 34.3. Imported shrimp and your health section 34.4. How the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates imported seafood 35. Antibiotics and hormones in diary and meat section 35.1. Antibiotics section 35.2. Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) 36. Food additives 37. Foodborne illnesses section 37.1. Introduction to foodborne illnesses section 37.2. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) section 37.3. Campylobacter section 37.4. Escherichia coli section 37.5. Salmonella section 37.6. Listeria section 37.7. Shigella section 37.8. Botulism section 37.9. Staphylococcus 38. Foodborne viruses section 38.1. Hepatitis A section 38.2. Noroviruses 39. Acrylamide from high-temperature cooking 40. Aflatoxins 41. Perchlorate 42. Consumer beverages section 42.1. Benzene in commercial beverages section 42.2. Unpasteurized juice 43. Technologically alternated foods section 43.1. FDA regulations on genetically engineered foods section 43.2. Cloned meat and diary section 43.3. Nanoparticles in food

pt. VI. Consumer products and medical hazards 44. Teflon (perfluorochemicals, or PFCs) 45. Insect repellent 46. Antibacterial soap (Triclosan) 47. Plastics section 47.1. Bisphenol A section 47.2. Phthalates and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) 48. Contaminants in consumer products section 48.1. An action plan for import safety section 48.2. Health concerns over U.S. imports of Chinese products section 48.3. Melamine 49. Fragrance additives 50. Beauty products section 50.1. Cosmetics section 50.2. Sunscreen 51. X-rays

pt. VII. Additional help and information

52. Glossary of terms related to environmental health

53. Directory of environmental health organizations and resources

Index.