Environmental Health

Asbestos is a group of minerals that are silicate compounds, resistant to heat or chemicals and used widely for insulation. They are made out of long thin fibers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 3,000 types of mold exist. These grow in damp, dark environments indoors and outdoors, including in homes. When the mold spores are present...

The most pressing environmental health problems are climate change, specifically, global warming, unsafe drinking water, poor air quality (indoors and out), and contaminated food supplies. ...

A primary pollutant emits from the source into the atmosphere directly, retaining the same chemical form. This differs from secondary pollutants, which are formed by atmospheric reactions to...

Indoor air pollution is caused by high levels of contaminants that become trapped indoors because of poor ventilation. Some sources of contamination include asbestos from building materials, lead...

Urea nitrogen is manufactured to be used in fertilizer, in the making of some plastics, in decreasing the emissions of diesel engines and also as a dietary supplement for cattle. Urea nitrogen is...

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. Before 1972, these versatile fibers were used mostly in building materials and in friction products such as brakes and clutches. Asbestos quickly lost...

Mold is a naturally occurring fungus that requires moisture to grow. Standing water in dishwashers, bathtubs, basements and outdoor areas provides the ideal environment for mold growth. While it...

Mercury toxicity can cause a variety of severe reactions in healthy adults and developing fetuses. Exposure to mercury comes from both natural environmental causes, such as the absorption of...

Diatomaceous earth is a powdery mineral made from the remains of fossilized plankton, called diatoms. While touching it is safe, potential side effects of inhaling the powder include a number of...

Concerns about electromagnetic fields emitted by electric blankets spurred modifications. Newer blankets have not been found to pose a risk, although some safety concerns do apply to electric...

There are many species of mold that have varying effects on a person's health. Possible health risks are allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory conditions. Physical symptoms also vary...

Asbestos shingles are a type of construction material used to form the exterior sheathing of a roof. They are very similar to today's fiber cement shingles, but contain some quantity of asbestos...

Old houses, apartments and commercial buildings that have sustained water damage and have not been properly maintained often contain dangerous airborne molds that can affect people in subtle and...

Asbestos is a highly regulated health hazard that the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration describes as an extremely dangerous substance that threatens job-site...

Mercury is a heavy metal that occurs naturally in small amounts. It is a known neurotoxin with systemic effects, ranging from kidney damage to mental retardation and death, and may play a role in...

The word "smog" is a combination of the words "smoke" and "fog." It originally referred strictly to a combination of exactly those two things. Nowadays, however, the word "smog" refers more...

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that comes from the earth and can seep into homes, where it can become trapped and builds to dangerous levels. Because radon is invisible, odorless and...

Toxins are an ever-present threat in our modern world. They permeate our food, water and air, posing both immediate and long-term health effects that can include everything from cancer to...

Stachybotrys, better known as toxic black mold, is linked to a number of symptoms signaling deteriorating health and subsequent illnesses. Stachybotrys thrives in environments where the humidity...

Smog, a hybrid of the words "smoke" and "fog," is a term for air pollution. It creates a hazy, fog-like atmosphere, typically around a major urban area that has many pollutants present. Some...

Sunlight, natural minerals and natural gases all emit low doses of radiation every day. The human body is designed to be a self-repairing system that can stand up against these natural elements....

Every day of our lives we are exposed to radiation. The majority of this radiation comes from natural sources---approximately 82 percent according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission---and comes...

A light, short-range particle discovered in the 1900s by Henri Becquerel that emits fast radiation during radioactive decay and has the ability to penetrate deep into the human skin is called beta...

Acute radiation exposure (leading to acute radiation syndrome) involves full-body exposure to a high dose of radiation within a short period of time. Acute radiation sickness can be fatal, but in...

Radiation is energy that travels through space. Non-ionizing radiation is as common as visible light, but encompasses UV, microwave, RF and infrared sources. There are risks with these but even...

Asbestos poisoning is a term sometimes used to describe exposure to asbestos particles. When inhaled, these particles scar the tissues of the lungs, leading to damage that may ultimately result in...

Diesel exhaust fumes can pose certain risks to a person's health. Short-term health effects of diesel exhaust fumes are generally temporary as long as the exposure to diesel exhaust fumes is not...

The effects of lead on the health of adults and children is a major health concern in the United States. Environmental exposure to lead can cause serious impairment, disease and even death.

Diesel exhaust is a pollutant that many must deal with each day. While some are exposed more directly than others, diesel exhaust is spread along interstates and highways regularly. Based on...

Black mold which grows inside or outside your home presents a significant health risk. Some populations are more susceptible than others, and those with certain health conditions will experience a...

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are compounds with a carbon base that can cause health problems when inhaled at high levels. Examples of common VOCs are acetone, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene...

Mold and mildew growing around the home can be more than just an eyesore. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates there are anywhere from 50 to 100 different indoor molds that can wreck...

Asbestos contamination is usually caused by breathing air containing this material. The main risk of asbestos exposure is that it can damage the lungs, causing breathing difficulties or even lung...

With studies showing the potential health risks of plastic exposure on the rise; it may be time to assess how much plastic your family uses on a daily basis. If you're interested in green living,...

Chlorine is used primarily as a disinfectant. Chlorine is often added to public water supplies to kill harmful bacteria, mold and algae, reduce odors or bad taste and remove minerals like iron....

Safety measures can easily be implemented to minimize exposure to bug spray, insect poison, and other pesticides. There are many ways to limit pesticide exposure, from using organic pesticides to...

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that seeps out of uranium deposits from the earth. Radon is radioactive and long-term exposure is extremely dangerous to humans. Radon, which cannot be seen or...

Hydrogen sulfide gas, also known as sewer gas, is the result of bacterial breakdown of organic material, such as human and animal waste. It can also result from industrial processes, such as food...

If you or some you know works in a large plant or office building, you may be exposed to chemical hazards. Please take these steps seriously.

There has been a lot of discussion in the news recently over the toxicity of chemical bisphenol A or BPA. Many studies are conclusively showing adverse affects in lab animals. The Chemical...

Asbestos was a common material used in building before a nation-wide ban prevented its further use. It can be extremely damaging to persons who are exposed and does cause Mesothelioma. Take...

This Will Tell You Many Ways To Protect Yourself When Exposed To The Sun's UVA Rays.

There is growing evidence indicating a connection between particulate air pollution and cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. Smoking, obesity and high blood...

There are several important steps you need to take to decontaminate a victim of chemical exposure. First you must protect yourself, it won't help if you get contaminated too. Wear eye protection,...

Industrial manufacturers use phosgene in the production of plastics and pesticides. Phosgene acts as a gas at seventy degrees Fahrenheit but is converted to a liquid for shipping and storage....

Lewisite is a chemical warfare agent that has immediate negative effects on those exposed to it. Lewisite was discovered during World War I. Long term exposure can have deadly effects. Lewisite...