The Final Environmental Medium Is Biota Essay

“Chemical hazards pose an external or internal physiological threat to one or more parts of the human body. This hazard can cause both short/long term health and physical effects depending on route of entry, toxicity, amount and duration of exposure” (Haight, 2012, p. 60).

Since this is my fist toxicology course, I found it interesting to learn the variety of pathways that toxicants access to enter the human body and aquatic organisms. Even more so, the way our cells respond to the intake of such toxicants. In addition, learning the way aquatic organisms are impacted by toxicants in stream and stream sediments. Furthermore, I can use this knowledge in a career and also for my own curiosity to investigate my surroundings or spread awareness.

The first determinant of health is environment. One type of environmental determinants is physical environment factors such as air pollution, food and water contaminants, radiations, and safety hazards. According to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (2010), toxicants can enter the body in one or more of three ways: inhalation, ingestion, or absorption through the skin. Toxicants tend to travel to target organs, such as thyroid, ovaries, and testes, and in these organs, they exert

Pesticides are toxic and go through many different testings and procedures before they are put on the shelf in various industries. One general method that is used to asses toxicity of pesticides before released for sale is the LD50 (Lethal Dose 50) method. This method is conducted by calculating the most accurate dose of toxin that will kill animals 50% of the time. Before determining an accurate LD50 of a chemical however, a range finding analysis of the chemical will be performed in order to calculate the most accurate LD50. Undergoing this procedure includes using a wide-spread range of concentrations which are mostly preformed at log dose intervals.

The purpose of the risk assessment using toxicological exposure limits are to examine an evidence concerning the potential toxicant exposure to a particular group of people, to provide where possible, an estimate of the relationship the extant of the exposure, size, and the root cause. Due to lack of adequate quantitative information human exposure assessment is considered to be inadequate.

(n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2016, from http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs hsdb:@term @DOCNO 665). Indirect exposure that usually occurs when the pollutant is ingested by consuming food that has been treated by the chemical. The health risk is not as great as indirect exposure, however, there is still some risk. 3 According to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Diseases Registry “There is no conclusive proof that malathion causes cancer in humans, although some studies have found increased incidence of some cancers in people who are regularly exposed to pesticides, such as farmers and pesticide applicators”(Toxic Substance Portal- Malathion. (2003, September). 4 Retrieved February 28, 2016, from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=521&tid=92).

Organic Contaminants can be broken down into plastics, lubricants, fuels, solvents, pesticides and preservatives. Overall, any kind of contaminant can enter our body systems through several different ways. Firstly, these contaminants can be found mostly everywhere in our environment such as soil, groundwater, surface water plants, they

Research and and determining the effects of chemicals is a huge part of a toxicologist’s job. To do this, toxicologist usually spend most of their time performing carefully designed studies and experiments. Through experimenting, many toxicologists are able to isolate, identify and measure toxic substances or radiation

When chemicals meet the bodies skin barrier, they can be absorbed into the blood system. Once absorbed, they may produce systemic damage to not only the dermis, but also the bodies internal organs. “Chemical exposure that may have been spilled onto the skin can be reduced in many instances, depending on the chemical, concentration and rate of exposure” (Richards & Bourgeois, 2014, p. 417). Dependent on the chemical, washing the affected skin with soap and water may dilute the chemical and reduce exposure. “Shortened exposure time coupled with dilution reduces the amount absorbed. This process is commonly known as decontamination” (Richards & Bourgeois, 2014, p. 417).

One concern about pesticides and herbicide usage is the amount of residues left on the end product of crops sprayed with the chemicals, and their effects on human health. (Williamson, 2007, p. 184). However, these effects are closely tested and levels are strictly regulated to ensure there is no danger from possible pesticide residues. Since 1910, many rules, regulations, and agencies have been formed to monitor the safety of the pesticides and herbicides used in conventional farming. These chemicals must meet specific safety standards in order to be registered for use, and regulations on levels of each product safe for use are also put in place. (Tafel et al.,2007, p.184). All pesticides are rigorously examined to ensure they have no significant effects on human health, or the environment. The residues in the food chain are closely monitored, and regularly tested, to ensure they are below legal limits. In a recent survey of residues

Some agents can be disbursed as an aerosol which can be inhaled or can infect a susceptible spot on the skin, like a cut or wound. Attackers can also contaminate food and water with some agent.

Agriculture is a key sector in the world economy where the competition between the countries is of great importance in terms of the production. It also contributes about 25% of GDP of Pakistan and provides livelihood directly to 70% of its rural population. In these conditions, pesticides are commonly used to reach a definite quantity and quality of agricultural productions. Their generalised use is attributed to (i) increase the quantitative and qualitative yields (ii) limit the irregularities of crop production linked to the great parasitic catastrophe (iii) protect the food reserves and many more. It has been estimated that about 3000-5000 tones of pesticides are used predominately only in Cotton growing areas of Pakistan (ESCAP Virtual Conference-June 16, 2007). According to a report of IFEN, pesticides are

A study was conducted, it was found that the presence of pesticides was successfully identified having an association in maternal, fetal and non pregnant women’s blood as a result of

The Methow Valley Ranger District which belongs to Forest Service, cooperates with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation (Yakama Nation) and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), propose to re-establish, enhance and improve the diversity of aquatic habitat for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed fish in the River Mile (R.M.) 15.5-20 reach of the Chewuch River. They plan to start this project on the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Okanogan County in north central Washington State starting in the summer of 2017. This Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared compliant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)

It is common to see advertisements both locally and globally stressing the importance of proper environmental management – preservation and conservation. Imprudent ecological governance has led to the extinction and diminution of several species of wildlife and plants. Mankind's pursuit of industrialization to make work easier, has resulted in the dangerous depletion of the earth's natural resources. Fingers are pointed as the blame is cast on organizations such as church and state. It appears as if humanity has refused to accept that proper environmental management is everyone's duty. Even though mankind was given the mandate to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth (Gen. 1: 28),