RT Book, Section
A1 DiBartolomeis, Michael J.
A2 LaDou, Joseph
A2 Harrison, Robert J.
SR Print(0)
ID 1104109016
T1 Health Risk Assessment
T2 CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment:  Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 5e
YR 2013
FD 2013
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9780071808156
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1104109016
RD 2024/04/24
AB Most  people  generally  are  aware  that  voluntary  or  involuntary  exposure  to  chemicals  and  other  hazardous  substances  can  cause  harm  to  their  health  or  to  the  health  of  their  children  and  the  unborn  fetus.  Taken  at  the  minimum  necessary  dosages,  however,  some  chemicals,  such  as  medicines,  are  also  beneficial  to  human  health.  Manufacturing  with  chemicals  has  resulted  in  some  new  products  and  technologies  that  have,  arguably,  benefited  society  as  a  whole  by  creating  new  jobs,  developing  less  costly  and  more  durable  consumer  products  and  building  materials,  and  improving  communication  and  transportation.  However,  the  true  cost  of  the  production,  use,  and  disposal  of  these  synthesized  chemicals  to  the  environment  and  human  health  is  unknown  and  difficult  to  quantify.  Furthermore,  we  know  that  hazards  in  the  workplace  associated  with  chemical  exposure  often  are  greater  than  the  hazards  from  exposure  to  environmental  pollutants.  Many  other  factors  also  play  a  role,  including  poverty  and  employment  status,  which  affect  nutrition  and  access  to  health  care,  violence,  smoking,  and  drug  use.  Scientists  and  policymakers  still  do  not  know  the  exact  degree  to  which  human  health  problems  can  be  attributed  to  environmental  pollution  and  how  much  should  be  attributed  to  other  environmental  factors  or  lifestyle  choices.