Biological Hazards Epidemiology – the study of factors affecting the health and illness of a population Dose Response Curve – not caused by living organisms and does not spread from person to person Non-Transmittable Disease – not caused by living organisms and does not spread from person to person Cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, most cancers, bronchitis – caused by living organisms (bacteria, protozoa, and parasites) and viruses Transmissible Disease – caused by living organisms (bacteria, protozoa, and parasites) and viruses Pathogens (disease causing organisms) spread through water, air, food, insects, & body fluids - VECTORS

TRANSMISSIBLE DISEASE According to the WHO & UNICEF 2 million children in developing countries die each year due to preventable infectious disease. 80% of the infectious disease is spread through waterborne infections (diarrhea, hepatitis, typhoid fever, and cholera) Seven Deadliest Infectious Disease: 1)Tuberculosis (TB) bacterial disease 2)HIV/AIDS – Viral 3)Malaria – protozoa 4)Respiratory Disease – mostly pneumonia (bacteria and viruses) 5)Diarrheal Disease – bacterial & viruses 6)Measles – viral 7)Hepatitis - viral

CHEMICAL Hazards Immune Systems – protects the body against disease Disruptors – viruses, bacteria, parasites, malnutrition, ionizing radiation, synthetic chemicals Nervous System – brain; spinal cord; peripheral nerves Neurotoxins – synthetic chemicals = chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT, PCBs, dioxins); organophosphates (malathion); formaldehyde; heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium) Endocrine – glands and hormones that regulate body functions Disruptors – (HAA’s – hormonally active agents) = can mimic or block natural hormone responses – many synthetic chemicals such as atrazine, DDT, PCB’s Endocrine disruptors have major impacts on reproductive systems