1. Harmful Chemicals

2. * neurotoxin
* young children
and fetuses
are the most
vulnerable

3. Sources of Lead Exposure
ceramic glaze
Sources of Lead Exposure
ammunition
pipes & solder
picture tube

4. Reducing Lead Exposure

5. * neurotoxin
* young children
and fetuses
are the most
vulnerable

6. NATURAL Sources of mercury in the environment
elemental (Hg) and inorganic (Hg2+)
NATURAL
weathering

7. ANTHROPOGENIC
waste incineration

8. How mercury enters humans
* inhalation (elemental & inorganic)
* Eating fish contaminated with methyl mercury (CH3Hg)
Once inorganic mercury falls into the water, bacteria convert it to an organic form, methyl mercury. This is easily biomagnified because of its solubility in fats (lipids).
** Acid deposition can accelerate conversion to methyl mercury **

9. Reducing Mercury Exposure

10. * Toxic & persistent
* Can cause respiratory
problems
* Organochlorines may
act as endocrine
disrupters

11. Uses of Chlorine production of PVC TCE chlorinated solvents
disinfectant in water treatment
production
of PVC
TCE
chlorinated
solvents

12. Reducing use of Chlorine
alternatives to chlorine
based cleaners
use O3 or H2O2 to “bleach” pulp/paper
use plant based plastics instead of PVC plastic
use O3 to disinfect drinking water

13. DIOXINS * Chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds * Some are carcinogenic
* Endocrine,
reproductive, and
immune disruptors

14. Where do dioxins come from?
* Unwanted by-products of
industrial processes that use
chlorine
production
of PVC
* Incineration of municipal & medical waste

15. most notably contaminated fatty meats & dairy products
Most human exposure comes from . . .
FOOD
most notably contaminated fatty meats & dairy products

16. POPs Treaty persistent organic pollutants * 2001 international treaty
* “Dirty Dozen” pollutants including DDT,
PCBs, and dioxins
* GOALS  1> ban/phase out use of dirty dozen
2> detoxify/stockpile dirty dozen
* The United States still has not ratified the treaty

17. The Dirty Dozen Banned/highly restricted chemicals
Pesticides
Insecticides
Industrial Waste
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
Aldrin
Chlordan
DDT
Dieldrin
Endrin
Heptachlor
Hexachlorobenzene
Mirex
Toxaphene
PCBs
Polychlorinated Dioxins
Polychlorinated Furans