All Flashcards
What is LD50?
The dose of a substance that kills 50% of a test population.
What is a contaminant?
A substance or organism found where it shouldn't be, causing harm to health or the environment.
Define endocrine disruptor.
A chemical that interferes with hormone systems.
What is a dose-response study?
A study that shows how an organism responds to different doses of a chemical or drug.
What is methylmercury?
A form of mercury that builds up in fish.
What are VOCs?
Volatile Organic Compounds; colorless, flammable gas.
What is a carcinogen?
A substance or agent that can cause cancer.
What is BPA?
Bisphenol A, used in production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.
What are phthalates?
Chemicals used to soften plastics, found in cosmetics and food packaging.
What is arsenic?
Naturally occurring element in water, soil, dust, air, and food.
What are the health effects of arsenic exposure?
Known human carcinogen (skin, lung, bladder, kidney, liver cancer), endocrine disruptor.
What are the health effects of mercury exposure?
Developmental issues in fetuses and children (motor, sensory, cognitive deficits).
What are the health effects of BPA exposure?
Endocrine disruptor.
What are the health effects of phthalate exposure?
Endocrine disruptor, reproductive and developmental problems, cancer.
What are the health effects of lead exposure?
Carcinogen, central nervous system damage, especially harmful to children (brain damage, developmental problems), pregnant women (miscarriage, premature birth).
What are the health effects of formaldehyde exposure?
Irritant, carcinogen.
What are the impacts of air pollutants?
Human health issues, environmental damage.
What are the impacts of water pollutants?
Harm to humans and aquatic life.
What are the impacts of soil pollutants?
Harm to humans, plants, and soil organisms.
What are the impacts of food contaminants?
Human health issues, food spoilage.
What is LD50?
The dose of a substance that kills 50% of a test population.
Define 'contaminant'.
A substance or organism found where it shouldn't be, causing harm to health or the environment.
What are endocrine disruptors?
Chemicals that interfere with hormone systems.
Define dose-response study.
Studies showing how an organism responds to different doses of a chemical or drug.
What is methylmercury?
A form of mercury that builds up in fish.
What are VOCs?
Volatile Organic Compounds, colorless, flammable gas.