1. Health Risk and Toxins Essential Question: how do we determine what is harmful to us?

2. Types of Toxins -Carcinogen- related to cancer Allergen- related to allergies Mutagen- causes mutation in organisms Teratogen- affects development of fetus Neurotoxin- affects the nervous system Endrocine disruptors- affects hormones around the body

3. Toxins -Harmful at HIGH levels -Impact Children more than Adults -Move up the food chain (biomagnification) *How are you exposed? *How does it affect people?

4. Arsenic -Naturally Occurring, widely distributed -High Levels can result in death -Long Term exposure can change the skin color, warts -Exposure to Children might decrease IQ,

5. Asbestos -Naturally occurring fibrous minerals with long, heat resistant fibers -Used in homes for insulation (1920s- 1980s) -Mainly affects lungs by creating scar tissue -Carcinogen (connected to lung cancer)

6. DDT -Pesticide used to control insects in agriculture -Banned in 1972 because of negative effects on wildlife -Impact Nervous System -Rachel Carson -Malaria concerns

7. Gasoline -Exposure from breathing vapor at service stations -At high levels, irritates lungs, stomach lining and Nervous System -Contains more than 150 chemicals

8. Lead -Naturally occurring metal in the earth’s crust -Exposure from breathing air or ingesting contaminated food -Banned from use in paint chips -Damages nervous system, brain damage, higher blood pressure -Can impact microorganisms and decrease decomposition

9. Mercury -Naturally occurring metal -Impacts Nervous System, high exposure can damage the brain -Case study: MinamataMinamata -Biomagnification in marine life

10. PBB (polybrominated biphenyls) - Manufactured chemicals added to plastics so they can’t burn -Skin Problems

11. PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) -Mixtures of up to 209 individual compounds -Used in electrical equipment -No longer used. Still found in appliances 30+ yrs -Could harm liver and skin

12. Radon -Naturally occurring, radioactive, noble gas -Linked to cancer (carcinogen) -Found in low levels of air and drinking water

13. Biomagnification