An Invitation to Health, 15th ed.

An Invitation to Health:

Build Your Future

D I A N N E H A L E S

1 5 t H E D I t I o N

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An Invitation to Health: Build Your Future, 15th EditionDianne Hales

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19

After studying the material in this chapter, you should be able to• Namesomeofthedirect

andindirecthealthrisksassociatedwithclimatechange.

• Listtheeffectsofozoneandparticlepollutiononlunghealthandfunctioning.

• Definesustainabilityanddescribewayscollegecampusescanpromotesustainability.

• Discusstherisksofprolongedexposuretosoundsover85decibels

andhowtoprotectyourhearing.

• Compareandcontrastbottledandtapwater.

• Identifythemajorindoorpollutants.

• Listthekeysourcesandhealthrisksofelectro-magneticfields.

• Evaluateyourpersonalhabitsandidentifywaysyoucanadoptbehav-iorsthatwillsupportsustainability.

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Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.

619

Visit www.cengagebrain.com to access course materials for this text, including the Behavior Change Planner, interactive quizzes, tutorials, and more. See the preface on page xv for details.

environment,includingclimatechanges;atmo-sphericchanges;air,water,andnoisepollution;chemicalrisks;andradiation.

The Environment and Your HealthOurs isaplanet inperil.Glaciersaremelting.Sealevelsarerising.Forestsarebeingdestroyed.Droughts have become more frequent andmore intense. Heat waves have killed tens of thousands of people. Hurricanes and floodshaveravagedcities.Millionshavediedfromtheeffectsof airpollutionandcontaminatedwater.

TheplanetEarth—oncetakenforgrantedasaballof rockandwaterthatexistedforouruseforall time—isa single, fragileecosystem (acommunity of organisms that share a physi-cal and chemical environment). Our environ-mentisaclosedecosystem,poweredbythesun.The materials needed for the survival of thisplanet must be recycled over and over again.

buyingplasticbottlesof water,reliedonnaturallightwheneverpossible,andswitchedtoenergy-efficient lightbulbs.Likeagrowingnumberof students, she joined an environmental actiongroup whose activities include planting trees,setting up recycling centers, and launchingenergy-conservation makeovers on campus.(See“HowDoYouCompare?”)

Somedescribethecampaigntocreateahealth-ierenvironmentandcombatclimatechangeasthis generation’s equivalent of the civil rightsmovement. Without doubt these issues cannotbe ignored. Although environmental concernsmayseemsoenormous thatnothingany indi-vidualcandowillhaveaneffect,thisisnotthecase.Allof us,ascitizensof theworld,canhelpfindsolutionstothechallengesconfrontingourplanet.Thefirststepisrealizingthatyouhavea personal responsibility for safeguarding thehealthof yourenvironmentand,thereby,yourownwell-being.

This chapter explores the complex inter-relationships between your world and yourwell-being. It discusses major threats to the

Until college Neri’s commitment to the environ-

ment consisted of carrying the recyclables out to

the curb every week. She opted to live in a “green”

residence hall on campus because she liked the

light, airy architecture, the plantings everywhere,

and the opportunity to join a community of indi-

viduals committed to a shared cause. But as Neri

learned more about energy sources and usage,

living green became a way of life. She stopped

A Healthier Environment

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ecosystem A community of organisms sharing a physical and chemical environment and interacting with each other.




620 Section VI Health in Context

Climate ChangeTheInternationalPanelonClimateChangeof theUnitedNations,madeupof leadingscientistsfromaroundtheworld,hasreportedwithabso-lutecertaintythattheworld’sclimateischang-inginsignificantwaysandwillcontinuetodosointheforeseeablefuture.Theseexpertspredictanincreaseinextremeweatherevents(suchashurricanes and heat waves), greater weathervariability,andrisingwater temperatures.TheAmericanAssociationfortheAdvancementof Science (AAAS) and other prestigious institu-tionsaroundtheworldhaveissuedwarningsonthegrowingdangersof globalclimatechange.

Global WarmingEarth’s average temperature increased about1degreeinthe20thcenturytoapproximately59degrees,buttherateof warminginthelastthreedecadeshasbeenthreetimestheaveragerate since 1900. Seas have risen about six toeightfeetgloballyoverthelastcenturyandarerisingatahigherrate.

Whyisourplanetgettingwarmer?Figure19.1shows the normal greenhouse effect: Certain

Increasingly,we’rerealizingjusthowimportantthehealthof thisecosystemistoourownwell-beingandsurvival.(SeeHealthinAction.)

The World Health Organization (WHO) hasidentifiedthethreemajorenvironmentalthreatstohealth:unsafewater,sanitation,andhygiene;indoorairpollutionfromsolidfueluse;andout-doorairpollution.Improvingwater,sanitation,hygiene,andindoorandoutdooraircouldpre-ventanestimated4milliondeathsayearandgreatly reduce child mortality in the world’slowest-incomecountries.1

Forgoodorforill,wecannotseparateourindi-vidual health from that of the environmentinwhichwe live.However, efforts to cleanupthe environment are paying off. According totheAmericanLungAssociation, airquality inmany cities, particularly in the Northeast andMidwest, has improved in the last decade. Inadditiontoairquality,thewaterwedrinkandthechemicalsweusealsohaveanimpactonthequalityof ourlives.Atthesametime,thelife-stylechoiceswemake,theproductsweuse,theeffortsweundertaketocleanupabeachorsavewetlandsaffectthequalityof ourenvironment.Forsomeideasonwhatyoucando,seeHealthonaBudget.

How Do You Compare?

Do StuDentS Care about tHe environment?

Incoming freshmen who consider it very important to Percent

*become involved in programs to clean up the environment 27.3 Men 24.5 Women 29.7

*adopt “green” practices to protect the environment 42.3 Men 37.0

Women 46.6

How Do You Compare?How would you describe your commitment to a healthier environ-ment? Have you participated in any environmental cleanups? Have you adopted “green” practices in your life? Describe what

you’ve done or what you are ready to commit to doing for the environment’s sake in your online journal.

Source: J. H. Pryor, S. Hurtado, L. DeAngelo, L. Palucki Blake, and S. Tran, The American Freshman: National Norms Fall 2010 (Los Angeles: Higher Education Research Institute, UCLA, 2010).




621Chapter 19 A Healthier Environment

The Health RisksNoindividualisimmunetotheeffectsof climatechange.WHOestimatesthatclimatechangeisalreadycausingatleast150,000excessdeathsayearandthatthisnumberwillclimbtoatleast300,000annuallyby2030.3

Climatechangecanimperilhealthdirectly—forexample,astheresultof floodsorheatwaves—and indirectly—by changing the patterns of infectiousdiseases,suppliesof freshwater,andfoodavailability.Forexample,astheplanetcon-tinuestowarm,infectiousdiseases—particularlymosquito-borne illnesses suchasmalaria,den-gue fever, yellow fever, and encephalitis—mayspreadtomoreregions.AlreadyintheUnitedStates,mosquitoesandotherinsectsthatcarrydiseasessuchasWestNilevirus,RockyMoun-tainspottedfever,andLymediseasearespread-ingtoareasonceconsideredtoocoldfortheseinsects to survive. The rise in global tempera-tures has already led to a greater pollen loadandmoreallergiesamongmorepeople.4

gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap energy fromthesunandretainheatsomewhatliketheglasspanels of a greenhouse. These “greenhouse”gases include carbon dioxide, methane, andnitrousoxide.Humanactivities, scientistsnowsay with 90 percent certainty, have increasedthe greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Weburnfossilfuels(oil,naturalgas,coal)andwoodproducts, which release carbon dioxide intotheatmosphere.Weproducecoal,naturalgas,andoil,whichemitmethane.Livestockandthedecompositionof organicwastes alsoproducemethane.Agricultural and industrialprocessesemitnitrousoxide.Theseemissionsenhancethenormal greenhouse effect, trappingmoreheatandraisingthetemperatureof theatmosphereandEarth’ssurface.

Afteryearsof doubtanddebate,most leadingexperts agree that the buildup of greenhousegases is changingnatural climateandweatherpatternsinnewandpotentiallydangerousways.Carbon dioxide levels are higher now than atanytimeinthepast800,000yearsand,accord-ing to the AAAS, are “heading for levels notexperiencedformillionsof years.”2

Some solar radiationis reflected by theEarth and theatmosphere.

Infrared radiationis emitted fromEarth’s surface.

Solar radiationpassesthroughthe clearatmosphere.

Some of the infrared radiation passesthrough the atmosphere, and some isabsorbed and re-emitted in all directions by greenhouse gas molecules. The effect of this is to warm Earth’s surface and the lower atmosphere.

Most radiationis absorbed byEarth’s surfaceand warms it.

Figure 19.1 The Greenhouse EffectThe normal greenhouse effect warms Earth to a hospitable temperature. An increase in greenhouse gases intensifies the

greenhouse effect, trapping more heat and raising Earth’s temperature.





death.A chronic effectmaytakeyearstodevelopormaybea recurrentorcontinuous reaction,usuallyafterrepeatedexposure.Yearsof expo-sure to trafficpollution, for instance,hasbeenlinkedtoanincreaseinbloodpressure.

Environmental agents that trigger changes, ormutations, in thegeneticmaterial (theDNA)of livingcellsarecalledmutagens.Thechangesthatresultcanleadtothedevelopmentof can-cer.Asubstanceoragentthatcausescancerisa carcinogen: All carcinogens are mutagens;most mutagens are carcinogens. Furthermore,whenamutagenaffectsaneggoraspermcell,itseffectscanbepassedontofuturegenerations.Mutagensthatcancrosstheplacentaof apreg-nantwomanandcauseaspontaneousabortionorbirthdefectsinthefetusarecalledteratogens.

Pollution is a hazard to all whobreathe.Deathscausedbyairpollu-tionexceedthosefrommotorvehicle

injuries. Those with respiratory illnesses andother chronic health problems are at greatestriskduringdayswhensmogorallergencountsare high. However, as a recent study showed,even healthy college students suffer impair-mentsintheirheartandcirculatorysystemsasaresultof urbanairpollution.Theeffectsof car-bonmonoxidearemuchworseinsmokers,whoalready have higher levels of the gas in theirblood.

As carbondioxide levels in theair risedue tothe greenhouse effect, air quality will worsen.Gases found in polluted air—such as ozone,sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide—contrib-ute to heart disease and worsen the health of individualswhoalreadyhaveheartconditions.Poor air quality also contributes to breathingdifficultiesandmayberesponsibleforthedra-maticincreaseinasthmainrecentdecades.Ele-vatedcarbondioxidelevelscantriggerasthmaattacks and allergies by increasing ragweedpollen. Greater carbon dioxide in the air alsostimulates the growthof poison ivy andothernuisanceplants.

Toxic substances in polluted air can enter thehuman body in three ways: through the skin,through thedigestive system, and through thelungs.Thecombinedinteractionof twoormorehazardscanproduceaneffectgreaterthanthatof either one alone. Pollutants can affect anorganororgansystemdirectlyorindirectly.

The Impact of PollutionAnychange in theair,water,orsoil thatcouldreduceitsabilitytosupportlifeisaformof pol-lution.Natural events, suchas smoke from firestriggeredbylightning,cancausepollution.How-ever,most sources of pollution areman-made.There are now about ten times as many carsaroundtheworldastherewere50yearsago.Thenumberof people living incitieshas increasedbymorethanafactorof four,andglobalenergyconsumptionbynearlyafactorof five.

Theeffectsof pollutiondependontheconcen-tration(amountperunitof air,water,orsoil)of thepollutant,howlongitremainsintheenvi-ronment,anditschemicalnature.Anacute effectisa severe, immediatereaction,usuallyafterasingle, large exposure. For example, pesticidepoisoningcancausenauseaanddizziness,even

pollutant A substance or agent in the environment, usu-ally the by-product of human industry or activity, that is injurious to human, animal, or plant life.

mutagen An agent that causes alterations in the genetic mate-rial of living cells.

carcinogen A substance or agent that causes cancer.

Health in Action

Protecting the PlanetSimple steps can help save energy, lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and cut down on energy costs. Here are some recommendations from the Environmental Defense and World Wildlife Fund:

• Wash laundry in warm or cold water, not hot. Average annual CO2 reduction: up to 500 pounds for two loads of laundry a week.

• Buy products sold in the simplest possible packaging. Carry a tote bag or recy-cle shopping bags. Average annual CO2 reduction: 1,000 pounds because garbage is reduced 25 percent.

• Switch from standard lightbulbs to energy-efficient fluorescent ones. Average annual CO2 reduction: about 500 pounds per bulb.

• Set room thermostats lower in winter and higher in summer. Average annual CO2 reduction: about 500 pounds for each two-degree reduction.

• Run dishwashers only when full, and choose the energy-saving mode rather than the regular setting. Average annual CO2 reduction: 200 pounds.

• Bike, carpool, or take mass transit whenever possible. Average annual CO2 reduction: 20 pounds for each gallon of gasoline saved.

• Drive a car that gets high gas mileage and produces low emissions. Keep your speed at or below the speed limit.

• Keep your tires inflated and your engine tuned. Recycle old batteries and tires. (Most stores that sell new ones will take back old ones.)

• Turn off your engine if you’re going to be stopped for more than a minute.

• Collect all fluids that you drain from your car (motor oil, antifreeze) and recycle or properly dispose of them.

If you want to write your own goals for working toward a healthy environment, access the Behavior Change Planner in CengageNOW at www.cengagebrain.com.





ozone A form of oxygen that is a harmful component of air pollution.

itcanimpairlungdevelopment.5Evenhealthyindividualscanbeaffected,particularlyif theyexerciseoutdoorsduringhigh-pollutionperiodsorspendlongperiodsindirtyair.Breathingairpollutionwhile stuck in trafficmay trigger7.4percentof heartattacks.6

OzoneOzone, the primary ingredient of smog airpollution, can impair the body’s immune sys-temandcauselong-termlungdamage.(Ozonein the upper atmosphere protects us by repel-lingharmfulultravioletradiationfromthesun,butozone in the loweratmosphere isaharm-ful component of air pollution.) Automobilesalsoproducecarbonmonoxide,acolorlessandodorless gas that diminishes the ability of redbloodcellstocarryoxygen.Theresultingoxy-gen deficiency can affect breathing, hearing,andvisioninhumansandstuntthegrowthof plantsandtrees.

Severallargeinvestigationshaveconfirmedthatozone at levels currently found in the UnitedStates can shorten lives. Even on days whenozone levels are below the national standard,theriskof prematuredeath isgreater inareaswithhigherlevels.Theindividualsmostvulner-abletotheeffectsof ozonearechildren,seniorcitizens,peoplewhoworkorexerciseoutdoors,thosewitharespiratorydiseasesuchasasthma,

Among the health problems that have beenlinkedwithpollutionarethefollowing:

• Headachesanddizziness.

• Eyeirritationandimpairedvision.

• Nasaldischarge.

• Cough,shortnessof breath,andsorethroat.

• Constrictedairways.

• Constrictionof bloodvesselsandincreasedriskof heartdisease.

• Chestpainsandaggravationof thesymp-tomsof colds,pneumonia,bronchialasthma,emphysema,chronicbronchitis,lungcancer,andotherrespiratoryproblems.

• Birthdefectsandreproductiveproblemsincludinglowersuccesswithin-vitrofertilization.

• Nausea,vomiting,andstomachcancer.

• Allergyandasthmafromdieselfumesinpol-lutedair.

• Highermortalityfromstrokes.

The Air You BreatheRemember the last time you stood at a busyintersectionasabusortruckspewedbrownishfumesinyourface?Maybeyoureyesstung,oryourthroatburned.Butbreathingpollutedaircandomorethanirritate:Itcantakemonthsorevenyearsoff yourlife.

Anestimated154.5millionpeople—morethanhalf thenation’spopulation—liveinareaswithdangerouslevelsof airpollution.Aspollutantsdestroy the hairlike cilia that remove irritantsfrom the lungs, individualsmay suffer chronicbronchitis, characterized by excessive mucusflow and continuous coughing. Emphysemamaydeveloporworsen,aspollutantsconstrictthebronchial tubesanddestroytheairsacs inthelungs,makingbreathingmoredifficult.

Whenairpollutionlevelsarehigh,heartattacks,strokes,heartfailureflare-ups,andlungtroublesincrease. Air contamination also has enduringeffectsonhearthealthandincreasesatheroscle-rosis and deaths due to heart disease. For theelderlyandpeoplewithasthmaorheartdisease,pollutedaircanbelife-threatening.Inchildren,

Air pollution endan-

gers the well-being

of more than half of

Americans, including

many city dwellers.

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Particle PollutionScientists refer to the mix of very tiny solidand liquid particles in the air as particle pollu-tion.Theparticlesthemselvescanrangeinsizefrommicroscopictoone-tenththediameterof astrandof hair.Ournaturaldefenseshelpustocoughorsneezelargeparticlesoutof ourbodies,buttheydon’tkeepoutsmallerparticles,whichgettrappedinthelungs.Thesmallestonespassthroughthelungsintothebloodstream.

Particle pollution damages the body in wayssimilar to cigarette smoking. Even short-termexposure can be deadly because particle pol-lution increases the risk of heart attacks andstrokes,especiallyamongtheelderlyandthosewith heart conditions. It also diminishes lungfunction,causesinflammationof lungtissueinyoung,healthyadults,increasesthenumberandseverityof asthmaattacks,and increasesmor-talityininfantsandyoungchildren.

Livingnearhighwaysorspendingtimeinheavytraffic,whetherdrivingor takingpublic trans-portation,maybeespeciallydangerous.Severalstudieshavefoundanincreasedriskof prema-turedeathinthosewholive,work,drive,orrideinhigh-trafficareas.Airpollutionmayperma-nently impair thecapacityof the lungsof 10-to 18-year-olds who live within about a thirdof amileof a freeway, limitingtheirabilitytobreathefortherestof theirlivesandincreasingtheirriskof seriouslungdiseases.8

Particle pollution—considered the most dan-gerousbecauseitcanbeanimmediateaswellas a long-term threat to life—has increasedin the eastern part of the United States butdecreasedintheWest.Citiesthathavereducedparticlepollution—suchasPittsburgh,Buffalo,LosAngeles,Indianapolis,andSt.Louis—havereportedgainsinlifeexpectancy.9

Working toward SustainabilityMore universities are developing programs toachieve sustainability, the use of as little aspossible of resources that cannot be renewed.Innovative programs include “green” dormsandcampaignstoreduceenergywaste.Notall

and “responders” who are otherwise healthybutrespondintenselytoozone.

Ozone’s other ill effects include shortness of breath,chestpainwheninhalingdeeply,wheez-ing, coughing, and increased susceptibility torespiratory infections. Studies of college fresh-menwhowerelifelongresidentsof LosAngelesortheSanFranciscoBayAreafoundthatlongexposure to elevated ozone levels had reducedtheir“lungfunction,”thatis,theirlungs’abilityto work efficiently. Although ozone levels havedeclined,LosAngeles,Bakersfield,andVisalia,allinCalifornia,remainthemostozone-pollutedcitiesintheUnitedStates.7

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Renewable energy

sources, such as

wind, can provide

more environmentally

friendly alternatives.

However, individual

choices and behaviors

also have an impact on

the state of our world.

sustainability A method of using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.





precycling The use of prod-ucts that are packaged in recycled or recyclable material.

recycling The processing or reuse of manufactured materi-als to reduce consumption of raw materials.

potentiallyhazardousagents, suchas leadandmercury, can leak into the ground and water.Findoutif yourcampushasaprogramtorecy-cleelectronicdevices.

Withcomposting—whichsomepeopledescribeasnature’swayof recycling—thebenefitscanbe

undergraduates share this concern,buthighernumbersexpresscommitmenttoenvironmentalactionthaninthepast.

Three important paths to sustainability areprecycling, recycling, and compositing. Pre-cyclingreferstobuyingproductspackagedinrecycledmaterials.AccordingtotheconsumergroupEarthworks,packagingmakesupathirdof whatpeopleintheUnitedStatesthrowaway.When you precycle, you consider how you’regoingtodisposeof aproductandthepackag-ingmaterialsbeforepurchasingit.Forexample,youmightchooseeggsinrecyclablecardboardpackages,ratherthaninfoamcartons,andlookforjuiceandmilkinrefillablebottles.

Recycling—collecting,reprocessing,marketing,and reusing materials once considered trash—servesseveralimportantfunctions,including:

• Preserving natural resources. Repro-cessingusedmaterialstomakenewproductsandpackagingreducestheconsumptionof naturalresources.Recyclingsteelsavesironore,coal,andlimestone.Recyclingnews-print,officepaper,andmixedpapersavestrees.

• Saving energy. Recyclingusedaluminumcans,forinstance,requiresonlyabout5percentof theenergyneededtoproducealu-minum.Recyclingjustonecansaveenoughelectricitytolighta100-wattbulbfor31⁄2hours.

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Recyclingcutsthesegasesbydecreasingtheamountof energyusedtoproduceandtransportnewproducts.

• Decreasing the need for landfill stor-ageor incineration.Botharemorecostlyandcancontributetoairpollution.

Differentcommunitiestakedifferentapproachesto recycling. Many provide regular curbsidepickupof recyclables,andothershavedrop-off centers.Buybackcenterspayforrecyclables.Insome places, reverse vending machines acceptreturned beverage containers and providedepositrefunds.

Discardedcomputers,otherelectronicdevices,andprintercartridgesalso shouldberecycled,bydonatingthemtoschoolsorcharitableorga-nizations.“Techtrash”buriedinlandfillsiscre-ating anewhazardbecause trace amounts of

ConsumerAlert

What Difference Does a Lightbulb Make?

Facts to Know

• A compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) gives

off the same amount of light as a con-

ventional bulb but uses only a quarter of

the electricity.

• A CFL bulb that qualifies for the govern-

ment’s “Energy Star” symbol lasts about

ten times longer and saves about $30 or

more in electricity over a conventional

bulb.

• If every American home replaced just

one lightbulb with a CFL bulb, this simple

step would save enough energy to light

more than 3 million homes for a year,

more than $600 million in annual energy

costs, and prevent greenhouse gases

equivalent to the emissions of more than

800,000 cars.

Steps to Take

• When shopping for a lightbulb, look on

the product packages for the “Energy

Star” label and buy one labeled as

equivalent to the incandescent bulb you

are replacing.

• CFLs are made of glass and contain

mercury; be careful when removing them

from their packages and installing them.

Always screw and unscrew bulbs by their

base (not the glass). Never forcefully

twist the CFL into a light socket. (If one

does break, follow the EPA guidelines for

cleanup, available at www.energystar.gov.)

• When a CFL burns out, the EPA recom-

mends disposing of it at a local recycling

center. You can find one near you at

www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling or www.earth911.com. Never put a CFL or any

mercury-containing product in an incin-

erator or a trash bin.

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EachyeartheCDCreportsanaverageof 7,400casesof illnessrelatedtothewaterpeopledrink.The most common culprits include parasites,bacteria,viruses,chemicals,andlead.Tracesof prescriptiondrugsalsohavebeenfoundinthewater of some communities.Home filters canblockcertainpathogensthatcancausediarrheaand other gastrointestinal problems, but theydonotseemtoremovemostchemicalcontami-nants.If youdecidetouseafilter,cleanitregu-larlytopreventabuildupof bacteria.

Is Bottled Better?Consumers seemconvinced thatbottledwaterispurerthantap.Themarketforbottledwaterin the United States has been growing by 10percentperyear,makingitsecondonlytosoftdrinksasAmerica’sfavoritebeverage.Onaver-agewedrinkabout25gallonsof bottledwaterevery year, compared to 51.5 gallons of softdrinksand21gallonsof beer.10

However, medical researchers have not foundascientificreasontorecommendbottledwaterovertapwater.Thisconclusionheldtrueevenafterverylowlevelsof radioactiveiodineweredetectedinsurfacewaterandrainwaterintheUnitedStatesfollowingthedamagetonuclearreactors in Japan caused by the tsunami of Spring2011.11

Dentists report an increase in cavities amongchildrenandteenagerswhodrinkbottledwaterratherthanfluoridatedtapwater.Anestimated25 to 30 percent of bottled water sold in thiscountryis,infact,tapwater,sometimesfurthertreatedand sometimesnot.Despite imagesof mountain streams and glacier peaks on thelabels,mostcomesfromanurbanwatersupply.

Portable Water BottlesThe simplest, safest, most ecofriendly watercontainerisaglass.If youwanttocarrywaterwith you, you have plenty of alternatives, butsome portable drinking containers may poseriskstoyouortotheenvironment.

Most disposable water bottles are made withlightweight polyethylene terephthalate (PET).Reusingthesebottlesmayposesomehealthdan-gers,althoughthereislittlescientificagreementonhowserioustheserisksmaybe.Yourmouthleavesaresidueof bacteriawhenyoudrinkfrom

seenascloseasyourbackyard.Organicprod-ucts, suchas leftover foodandvegetablepeels,aremixedwithstraworotherdrymaterialandkept damp. Bacteria eat the organic materialand turn it intoa rich soil.Somepeoplekeepa compost pile (which should be stirred everyfew days) in their backyard; others take theirorganic garbage (including mowed grass anddead leaves) tocommunitygardensormunici-palcompostingsites.

The Water You DrinkFears about the public water supply have ledmanyAmericans to turnoff their taps.Abouttwo-thirdstakestepstodrinkpurerwater,eitherbyusingfiltrationanddistillationmethodsorbydrinking bottled water. However, ConsumersUnion,anonprofitadvocacygroup,maintainsthattheUnitedStateshasthesafestwatersup-plyintheworld.TheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhassetstandardsforsome80contami-nants.Theseincludemanytoxicchemicalsandheavy metals—including lead, mercury, cad-mium,and chromium—that can cause kidneyandnervoussystemdamageandbirthdefects.

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the West, have resisted comprehensive bans. As a result, about 88 million nonsmokers in the United States are still exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.12

Secondhand Smoke At greatest risk for the dangers of “passive smoking” or “second-hand smoke” are infants and young children and youngsters with asthma or other respiratory problems. Children exposed to secondhand smoke face a much higher likelihood of high blood pressure and other risks for heart disease by age 13 than other children.13 (See Chapter 14 for a further discussion of the health risks of environmental tobacco smoke.)

Health effects of secondhand smoke include eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; lung can-cer; and possible contribution to heart disease. In children, the health effects include increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and ear infections; buildup of fluid in the middle ear; increased severity and frequency of asthma episodes; and decreased lung function. Pregnant women who live or work with smokers may be at higher risk of having a stillbirth.14

Thirdhand Smoke Tobacco smoke creates more than an odor in a room. According to a recent study, tobacco residue—dubbed “third-hand smoke”—contains cancer-causing toxins that stick to a variety of surfaces, where they can

a bottle, and these bacteria may accumulate with repeated use. Disposable bottles also pose a risk to the environment. The manufacture of the estimated 30 billion PET water bottles sold annually in the United States requires about 17 million barrels of oil. About 86 percent of these bottles become waste, which may take as long as 400 to 1,000 years to degrade.

Many consumers have switched to harder bot-tles made with polycarbonate plastic (known by the brand name Nalgene). Portable metal con-tainers are another option. One popular brand is aluminum with a nontoxic liner; a second is simply made of stainless steel.

Indoor Pollutants: The Inside StoryYou may think of pollution as primarily a threat when you’re outdoors, but people in industrial-ized societies spend more than 90 percent of their time inside buildings. Think of how much time you spend in your dorm, apartment, or home and in classrooms, dining halls, movie theaters, offices, stores, and shops. The qual-ity of the air you breathe inside these places can have an even greater impact on your well-being than outdoor pollution. (See Health in the Headlines.)

Some sources—such as building materials and household products such as air fresheners—release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources—such as tobacco smoke, solvents in cleaning products, and pesticides—can pro-duce high levels of pollutants that remain in the air for long periods after their use.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS)The mixture of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar and a smoker’s exha-lations contains over 4,000 compounds, more than 40 of which are known to cause cancer in humans or animals. More than half of U.S. states have enacted smoking bans in private worksites, restaurants, bars, airports, schools, hospitals, and many other locations. However, some states, mainly in the South and parts of

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has been blamed for infant deaths and vari-ous illnesses, from Alzheimer’s disease to can-cer, in adults that breathe in its spores. Faultyventilation systems and airtight buildings havebeenimplicatedascontributingtotheincreasedmoldproblem.

• Sources: Wetormoistwalls,ceilings,carpets,andfurniture;poorlymaintainedhumidifiers,dehumidifiers,andaircondi-tioners;bedding;householdpets.

• Health Effects: Eye,nose,andthroatirri-tation;shortnessof breath;dizziness;leth-argy;fever;digestiveproblems.Diseaseslikehumidifierfeverareassociatedwithexpo-suretotoxinsthatcangrowinventilationsystemsof largebuildings.However,thesediseasescanalsobetracedtomicroorgan-ismsinhomeheatingandcoolingsystemsandhumidifiers.Children,theelderly,andpeoplewithbreathingproblems,allergies,andlungdiseasesareparticularlysusceptibletodisease-causingbiologicalagentsintheindoorair.

• Steps to Reduce Exposure:

• Usefansventedtooutdoorsinkitchensandbathrooms.

• Cleancool-mistandultrasonichumidifiersinaccordancewithmanufacturer’sinstruc-tionsandrefillwithcleanwaterdaily.

• Emptywatertraysinairconditioners,dehumidifiers,andrefrigeratorsfrequently.

• Keepyourpersonallivingspaceclean.No,yourmothermaynotbecheckingonyou,butregularcleaningreduceshousedustmites,pollens,animaldander,andotherallergy-causingagents.

Household ProductsTheliquids,foams,gels,andothermaterialsyouuse to clean, disinfect, degrease, polish, wax,and preserve contain powerful chemicals thatcanpolluteindoorairduringandforlongperi-odsaftertheiruse.EPAresearchershavefoundlevelsof aboutadozencommonorganicpollut-antstobetwotofivetimeshigherinsidehomesthanoutside, regardlessof whether thehomeswerelocatedinruralorhighlyindustrialareas.

• Sources: Paints,paintstrippers,andothersolvents;woodpreservatives;aerosolsprays;

get into thedustandbepickedupon the fin-gers.Babiesandyoungchildrenaremostlikelytobeexposedtotheseharmfulchemicals.

RadonCreatedbythebreakdownof uraniuminrocks,soil, and water, radon is the second-leadingcauseof lungcancer.Colorlessandodorless,thisradioactivegasentershomesthroughdirtfloors,cracksinconcretewallsandfloors,floordrains,and sumps. When radon becomes trapped inbuildingsandconcentrationsbuildupindoors,exposuretothegasbecomesaconcern.

• Sources: Earthandrockbeneathhome;wellwater;buildingmaterials.HousesintheNortheastandMidwesttendtohavehigherradonlevelsthanthoseelsewhereintheUnitedStates.15

• Health Effects: Noimmediatesymptoms.Exposuretohighlevelsof radonincreasestheriskof lungcancer.Smokersareathigherriskof developingradon-inducedlungcancer.


• If youhaveanyreasontosuspectaradonprobleminyourhome,youcanbuyinexpensive,do-it-yourself radontestkitsonlineandinhardwarestores.Lookforonesthatarestate-certifiedorhavemettherequirementsof anationalradonpro-ficiencyprogram.

• If testingrevealsunsafelevels,contractorstrainedtofixradonproblemscanmakechangestoreducetherisk.

• Formoreinformationonradon,con-tactyourstateradonoffice,orcall800-SOS-RADON.

Molds and Other Biological ContaminantsBacteria, mildew, viruses, animal dander, catsaliva, house dust mites, cockroaches, andpollencanallposea threat tohealth.Oneof theoldest andmostwidespread substancesonEarth,mold—atypeof fungusthatdecomposesorganicmatterandprovidesplantswithnutri-ents—hasemergedasamajorhealthconcern.Common molds include Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys, a slimy, dark green mold that

Health in the Headlines

Environmental ThreatsA wide host of agents in the air we breathe and the water we drink can affect our well-being. To get the most recent find-ings on environmental health threats, access Global Health Watch and search for one of the topics covered in this chapter, such as “radon” or “electromag-netic fields.” Scan the headlines and select a relevant article. Write a summary in your online journal.





gas, which is colorless and odorless, has beenshown tocausecancer inanimals.Mostman-ufacturers have voluntarily quit using it, butmany homes already contain materials madewith urea-formaldehyde, which can seep intotheair.

Therateatwhichproductslikepressedwoodortextilesreleaseformaldehydecanchange.Form-aldehyde emissions will generally decrease asproductsage.Whentheproductsarenew,highindoor temperatures or humidity can causeincreased release of formaldehyde from theseproducts.

• Sources: Pressedwoodproducts(hard-woodplywoodwallpaneling,particleboard,fiberboard)andfurnituremadewiththesepressedwoodproducts;urea-formaldehydefoaminsulation(UFFI);combustionsourcesandenvironmentaltobaccosmoke;durablepressdrapes,othertextiles,andglues.

• Health Effects: Wateryeyes,burningsen-sationsintheeyesandthroat,nausea,anddifficultyinbreathing.Highconcentrationsmaytriggerattacksinpeoplewithasthma.Hasbeenshowntocausecancerinanimalsandmaycausecancerinhumans.


• Use“exterior-grade”pressedwoodprod-ucts(lower-emittingbecausetheycontainphenolresins,noturearesins).

cleansersanddisinfectants;mothrepellentsandairfresheners;storedfuelsandautomo-tiveproducts;hobbysupplies;dry-cleanedclothing.

• Health Effects: Eye,nose,andthroatirritation;headaches,lossof coordination,nausea;damagetoliver,kidney,andcentralnervoussystem.Theyalsomaylowerestro-genandleadtoearliermenopause.16Someorganicscancausecancerinanimals;somearesuspectedorknowntocausecancerinhumans.


• Followinstructionscarefully.If thelabelsaystousetheproductinawell-ventilatedarea,gooutdoorsoropenwindowstoprovidethemaximumamountof outdoorairpossible.

• Useonehouseholdcareproductatatime.Mixingcancreatedangerouschemicalreactions.17

• Throwawaypartiallyfullcontainersof oldorunneededchemicals,whichcanleakgasesevenwhenclosed.Donotsimplytosstheminthegarbagecan.Findoutif yourlocalgovernmentoranyorganizationinyourcommunitysponsorsspecialdaysforthecollectionof toxichouseholdwastes.If nosuchcollectiondaysareavailable,thinkaboutorganizingone.

• Buylimitedquantities.Purchaseonlyasmuchasyouwilluserightaway.

• Keeptoaminimumanyexposuretoemis-sionsfromproductscontainingmethylenechloride,suchapaintstrippers,adhesiveremovers,andaerosolspraypaints.Methy-lenechlorideisconvertedtocarbonmon-oxideinthebodyandcancausesymptomsassociatedwithexposuretocarbonmonoxide.

FormaldehydeSome indoor pollutants come from the verymaterialsthatbuildingsaremadeof andfromthe appliances inside them. Formaldehyde iscommonly used in building materials, carpetbacking, furniture, foam insulation, plywood,and particle board. This chemical can causenausea,dizziness,headaches,heartpalpitations,stingingeyes,andburninglungs.Formaldehyde

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termites (termiticides), rodents (rodenticides),fungi (fungicides),andmicrobes (disinfectants).Theyaresoldassprays,liquids,sticks,powders,crystals,balls,andfoggers.

TheEPA requiresmanufacturers toput infor-mation on the label about when and how touseapesticide.Remember that the“-cide” inpesticides means “to kill.” Pesticides are alsomadeupof ingredients thatareused tocarrytheactiveagent.Thesecarrieragentsarecalled“inerts” because they are not toxic to the tar-getedpest;nevertheless,someinertsarecapableof causinghealthproblems.

• Sources: Productsusedtokillhouseholdpestsoronlawnsandgardens(if theproductdriftsoristrackedinsidethehouse).

• Health Effects: Highlevelsof certainpesti-cidescanproducevarioussymptoms,includ-ingheadaches,dizziness,muscletwitching,weakness,tinglingsensations,andnausea.Theyalsomightcauselong-termdamagetotheliverandthecentralnervoussystem,aswellasanincreasedriskof cancer.


• Followinstructions.Itisillegaltouseanypesticideinanymannerinconsistentwiththedirectionsonitslabel.

• Useonlythepesticidesapprovedforusebythegeneralpublicandthenonlyinrecom-mendedamounts;increasingtheamountdoesnotoffermoreprotection.Ventilatetheareawellafterpesticideuse.

• If possible,takeplantsandpetsoutsidewhenapplyingpesticidestothem.

• Disposeof unwantedpesticidesaccordingtothedirectionsonthelabeloronspecialhouseholdhazardouswastecollectiondays.

• Usenonchemicalmethodsof pestcontrolwherepossible.

• Keepindoorspacesclean,dry,andwellventilatedtoavoidpestandodorproblems.

• Minimizeexposuretomothrepellents,whichcontainparadichlorobenzene,achemicalknowntocausecancerinanimals.If usingmothballs,placethemandtheitemstobeprotectedintrunksorothercontainersthatcanbestoredinareassuchasatticsanddetachedgarages.

• Useairconditioninganddehumidifierstomaintainmoderatetemperatureandreducehumiditylevels.

• Increaseventilation,particularlyafterbringingnewsourcesof formaldehydeintothehome.

• Alwaysaskabouttheformaldehydecon-tentof pressedwoodproducts,includingbuildingmaterials,cabinetry,andfurniturebeforeyoupurchasethem.

PesticidesAccording to a recent survey, 75 percent of U.S. households used at least one pesticideproductindoorsduringthepastyear.Productsused most often are insecticides and disinfec-tants.Pesticidesused inandaround thehomeincludeproductstocontrolinsects(insecticides),

Health on a Budget

No- and Low-Cost Ways to “Green” Your SpaceWhether you live in a dorm,

apartment, or house, you can take

simple, inexpensive steps to cre-

ate a greener personal environ-

ment. Here are some ways to get

started. (See Figure 19.2 for more

ideas.)

• Buy furniture and household

items secondhand, or recycle

your parents’ things. If you can’t

find everything you need in the

attic or basement, try a website

such as www.freecycle.com,

where you can barter your way

to greener furnishings.

• Choose recycled notebooks and

printer paper and ecofriendly

shampoos, conditioners, and

lotions.

• Rather than relying on air-

conditioning or central heat,

use a space heater or fan,

depending on the season,

to regulate the temperature

around you.

• Buy a stainless steel or coated

aluminum water bottle instead

of using disposable bottles.

• Use green cleaning products

like vinegar and baking soda

instead of expensive and poten-

tially harmful chemicals.

• Tote books and groceries in

canvas bags rather than paper

or plastic ones.

• Chip in with roommates or

friends so you can buy in

bulk, which saves money and

requires less packaging.

• Don’t throw anything out

before asking yourself if it can

be recycled, donated, or simply

used in another way.





• Usetrainedandqualifiedcontractorsforcontrolmeasuresthatmaydisturbasbestosandforcleanup.

• Followproperproceduresinreplacingwoodstovedoorgasketsthatmaycontainasbestos.

LeadPeople are exposed to lead, a long-recognizedhealththreat,throughair,drinkingwater,food,contaminated soil, deteriorating paint, anddust. Airborne lead enters the body when anindividualbreathesorswallowsleadparticlesordust.Beforeitsriskswereknown,leadwasusedinpaint,gasoline,waterpipes,andmanyotherproducts.

• Sources: Lead-basedpaint;contaminatedsoil,dust,anddrinkingwater.

• Health Effects: Leadaffectspracticallyallsystemswithinthebody.Leadathighlevelscancauseconvulsions,coma,andevendeath.Lowerlevelsof leadcancauseadversehealtheffectsonthecentralnervoussystem,kidney,andbloodcells.Inpregnantwomen,evensmallamountscansignificantlyincreasebloodpressure.18Infantsandchil-drenaremorevulnerabletoleadexposurethanadults—leadismoreeasilyabsorbedintogrowingbodiesandthetissuesof smallchildrenaremoresensitivetothedamaging

Donotbuyairfreshenersthatcontainparadichlorobenzene.

AsbestosThismineralfiberhasbeenusedcommonlyinavarietyof buildingconstructionmaterialsforinsulationandasafire-retardant.Thegovern-menthasbannedseveralasbestosproducts,andmanufacturershavealsovoluntarilylimiteduseof asbestos.Todayasbestos ismostcommonlyfoundinolderhomes,pipeandfurnaceinsula-tionmaterials,asbestosshingles,millboard,tex-turedpaints,andfloortiles.

• Sources: Deteriorating,damage,ordis-turbedinsulation,fireproofing,acousticalmaterials,andfloortiles.

• Health Effects: Toosmalltobevisible,themostdangerousasbestosfibersaccumulateinthelungsandcancauselungcancer,meso-thelioma(acancerof thechestandabdomi-nallinings),andasbestosis(irreversiblelungscarringthatcanbefatal).Symptomsof thesediseasesdonotshowupuntilmanyyearsafterexposurebegan.Smokersareathigherriskof developingasbestos-inducedlungcancer.


• Leaveundamagedasbestosmaterialaloneif itisnotlikelytobedisturbed.

Secondhand clothing

Recycled notebooks

Ecofriendly boxes

Canvas tote

Aluminumwater bottle

Space heater

Recycle paper

Used desk chair

Figure 19.2 Greening Your SpaceArtwork: Terri Miller/E-Visual Communications, Inc.; Yellow Dog Productions/Getty Images; © iStockphoto.com/futureimage; © iStockphoto.com/René Mansi; © iStockphoto .com/Skip ODonnell; © iStockphoto.com/Günay Mutlu; © iStockphoto.com/zentilla; © iStockphoto.com/Don Nichols; © iStockphoto.com/Spiderstock

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lightsareasteadysourceof nitrogendioxide;toreduceexposure,switchtosparkignition.

• Sources: Keroseneheaters,unventedgasstovesandheaters.

• Health Effects: Eye,nose,andthroatirri-tation.Maycauseimpairedlungfunctionandincreasedrespiratoryinfectionsinyoungchildren.

• Steps to Reduce Exposure of Both CO and NO2:

• Keepappliancesproperlyadjusted.

• Openflueswhenfireplacesareinuse.

• Donotidleacarinsidethegarage.

Chemical RisksVariouschemicals,includingbenzene,asbestos,and arsenic, have been shown to cause can-cer in humans. Probable carcinogens includeDDTandPCB.Riskscanbegreatlyincreasedwithsimultaneousexposurestomorethanonecarcinogen, for example, tobacco smoke andasbestos.19

AccordingtotheCDC,thelevelsof potentiallyharmful chemicals, including pesticides andlead, inAmericans’bloodhavedeclined.Still,anestimated50,000to70,000U.S.workersdieeach year of chronic diseases related to pastexposure to toxic substances, including lungcancer, bladder cancer, leukemia, lymphoma,chronicbronchitis,anddisordersof thenervoussystem. Endocrine disruptors, chemicalsthatactasorinterferewithhumanhormones,particularly estrogen, may pose a differentthreat.Scientistsare investigating their impacton fertility, falling sperm counts, and cancersof the reproductive organs. Exposure to toxicchemicals causes about 3 percent of develop-mentaldefects.

Agricultural PesticidesHigh quantities of toxic chemicalwastefromunusedorobsoletepesti-cides are posing a continuing and

worseningthreattopeopleandtheenvironmentin Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, the MiddleEast,andLatinAmerica.IntheUnitedStates,theFDAestimatesthat33to39percentof ourfoodsupplycontainsresiduesof pesticidesthat

effectsof lead.Childrenmayhavehigherexposuressincetheyaremorelikelytogetleaddustontheirhandsandthenputtheirfingersorotherlead-contaminatedobjectsintotheirmouths.


• Keepareaswherechildrenplayasdust-freeandcleanaspossible.

• Leavelead-basedpaintundisturbedif itisingoodcondition;donotsandorburnoff paintthatmaycontainlead.

• Donotremoveleadpaintyourself.

• Donotbringleaddustintothehome.

• If yourworkorhobbyinvolveslead,changeclothesandusedoormatsbeforeenteringyourhome.

• Eatabalanceddiet,richincalcium,iron,andvitaminC.Highlevelsof ascorbicacid(vitaminC)havebeenassociatedwithalowerrateof elevatedbloodleadlevels.

Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen DioxideCarbonmonoxide(CO)gas—whichistasteless,odorless, colorless, and nonirritating—can bedeadly.Producedbytheincompletecombustionof fuelinspaceheaters,furnaces,waterheaters,andengines,COreducesthedeliveryof oxygenin the blood. Every year an estimated 10,000AmericansseektreatmentforCOinhalation;atleast250diebecauseof thissilentkiller.Thosemost at risk are the chronically ill, the elderly,pregnantwomen,andinfants.

• Sources:Unventedkeroseneandgasspaceheaters;leakingchimneysandfurnaces;back-draftingfromfurnaces,gaswaterheat-ers,woodstoves,andfireplaces;gasstoves;automobileexhaustfromattachedgarages.

• Health Effects: Atlowconcentrations,fatigueinhealthypeopleandchestpaininpeoplewithheartdisease.Athigherconcen-trations,impairedvisionandcoordination;headaches;dizziness;confusion;nausea.Cancauseflu-likesymptomsthatclearupafterleavinghome.Fatalatveryhighconcentrations.

Anotherdangerousgas,nitrogendioxide(NO2),canreachveryhighlevelsif youuseanaturalgasorpropanestoveinapoorlyventilatedkitchen.Thisgasmayleadtorespiratoryillnesses.Pilot

endocrine disruptors Syn-thetic chemicals that interfere with the ways that hormones work in humans and wildlife.





chlorinated hydrocarbons Highly toxic pesticides, such as DDT and chlordane, that are extremely resistant to break-down; may cause cancer, birth defects, neurological disorders, and damage to wildlife and the environment.

organophosphates Toxic pes-ticides that may cause cancer, birth defects, neurological dis-orders, and damage to wildlife and the environment.

multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) A sensitivity to low-level chemical exposures from ordinary substances, such as perfumes and tobacco smoke, that results in physiological responses such as chest pain, depression, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. Also known as environmentally triggered illness.

allergist treated a number of patients whoreported becoming ill after being exposed tovariouspetrochemicals. Since that time, manymore cases of MCS have been reported, yetthereisnoagreed-upondefinitionof thecondi-tion,nomedical test thatcandiagnose it,andnoproventreatment.

According to medical theory, people becomechemicallysensitiveinatwo-stepprocess:First,theyexperienceamajorexposuretoachemical,suchasapesticide,asolvent,oracombustionproduct. The sensitized person then begins toreacttolow-levelchemicalexposuresfromordi-narysubstances,suchasperfumesandtobaccosmoke.Symptomsincludearunnynose,breath-ing difficulties, memory problems, chest pain,depression,dizziness,fatigue,headache,inabil-ity to concentrate, nausea, aches and pains inmusclesandjoints,andheartpalpitations.

Invisible ThreatsAmongtheunseenthreatstohealtharevariousformsof radiation,energyradiated in the formof wavesorparticles.

mayposealong-termdangertoourhealth.Sci-entists have detected traces of pesticides ingroundwater in both urban and rural areas.Exposuretopesticidesmayposearisktopreg-nant women and their unborn children. Menwhosejobsroutinelyexposethemtopesticidesmay be at increased risk of prostate cancer.Parental exposure does not increase the likeli-hoodof childhoodbraincancer.

Chlorinated hydrocarbons include severalhigh-risksubstances—suchasDDT,kepone,andchlordane—thathavebeenrestrictedorbannedbecause they may cause cancer, birth defects,neurological disorders, and damage to wildlifeandtheenvironment.Theyareextremelyresis-tanttobreakdown.

Organophosphates,includingchemicalssuchas malathion, break down more rapidly thanthe chlorinatedhydrocarbons.Most arehighlytoxic, causing cramps, confusion, diarrhea,vomiting,headaches,andbreathingdifficulties.Higher levels in the blood can lead to convul-sions,paralysis,coma,anddeath.

Chemical WeaponsTerrorist threats include the possibility of theuse of chemical weapons. Possible bioterroragents include poison gases, herbicides, andother types of chemical substances that cankill,maim,ortemporarilyincapacitate.Chemi-cal agents can be dispersed as liquids, vapors,gases, and aerosols that attack nerves, blood,skin,orlungs.Incontrasttobiologicalweapons,chemicalweaponscankillrapidly,oftenwithinhours or minutes, and sometimes with just asmall drop. Possible protection against chemi-cal weapons includes gas masks, shelters, andsealed suits and vehicles. Treatment and anti-dotescansometimeshelpafterexposure.If con-taminated,youneedtoflushyoureyesandskinimmediatelyforatleastfivetotenminuteswhileawaitingemergencyhelp.

Multiple Chemical SensitivityTheproliferationof chemicalsinmodernsoci-etyhasledtoanentirelynewdisease,multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS),alsocalledenvi-ronmentally triggered illness, universal allergy,or chemical AIDS. MCS was first describedalmost a half century ago when a Chicago

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changesincircadianrhythms(ourinnersenseof time),miscarriage,developmentalproblems,orcancer.Researchershavedocumentedincreasesinbreastcancerdeathsinwomenwhoworkedas electrical engineers, electricians, or inotherhigh-exposure jobs, and a link between EMFexposure and increased risk of leukemia andpossiblybraincancer.

The National Institute of EnvironmentalHealth Sciences concluded that the evidenceof a risk of cancer and other human diseasefrom the electric and magnetic fields aroundpower lines is “weak.” This finding applies totheextremelylowfrequencyelectricandmag-neticfieldssurroundingboththebigpowerlinesthatdistributepowerandthesmallerbutcloserelectriclinesinhomesandappliances.However,the researchersalsonoted thatEMFexposure“cannotberecognizedasentirelysafe.”

Cell PhonesSincecellularphoneservicewas introducedintheUnitedStatesin1984,mobileandhandheldphones have become ubiquitous, and concernhasgrownabouttheirpossiblehealthrisks.Thefederalgovernmentsetsupperexposurelimitstoelectromagneticenergyfromcellphonesknownasthespecificabsorptionrate,orSAR.Aphoneemitsthemostradiationduringacall,butitalsoemits smallamountsperiodicallywhenever it’sturnedon.

Canexposure to low levelsof electromagneticenergythatthebodyabsorbsfromacellphonebeharmful?Researchershavefoundthataone-hourcellphoneconversationstimulatestheareasof thebrainclosesttothephone’santenna,buttheydonotknowif theseeffectsposeanylong-term risk.20 More than 70 research papers onthepotentiallyharmfuleffectsof cellphoneusehaveraisedconcernsaboutcancer,neurologicaldisorders,sleepproblems,orheadaches;othershave shown no association or were inconclu-sive.ArecentBritishstudyfoundnosignificantincrease in the incidence of brain tumors inmenandwomeninthedecadeaftercellphonesbecamewidespread.21

TheFoodandDrugAdministration(FDA)andFederal Communications Commission (FCC)have stated that “the available scientific evi-dencedoesnot showthatanyhealthproblems

Electromagnetic FieldsAny electrically charged conductor generatestwokindsof invisible fields: electricandmag-netic. Together they’re called electromag-netic fields (EMFs). For years, these fields,producedbyhouseholdappliances,homewir-ing,lightingfixtures,electricblankets,andover-head power lines, were considered harmless.However,epidemiologicalstudieshaverevealeda link between exposure to high-voltage linesandcancer(especiallyleukemia,abloodcancer)inelectricalworkersandchildren.

Laboratorystudiesonanimalshaveshownthatalternatingcurrent,whichchangesstrengthanddirection60timesasecond(andelectrifiesmostof NorthAmerica),emitsEMFsthatmayinter-ferewiththenormalfunctioningof humancellmembranes,whichhavetheirownelectromag-neticfields.Theresultmaybemooddisorders,

electromagnetic fields (EMFs) The invisible electric and mag-netic fields generated by an electrically charged conductor.

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microwaves Extremely high frequency electromagnetic waves that increase the rate at which molecules vibrate, thereby generating heat.

ionizing radiation A form of energy emitted from atoms as they undergo internal change.

amount, length of exposure, type, part of thebody exposed, and the health and age of theindividual.

We’re surrounded by low-level ionizing radia-tion every day. Most comes from cosmic raysandradioactiveminerals,whichvaryaccordingto geography. (Denverhasmore thanAtlanta,forinstance,becauseof itsaltitude.)Man-madesources, including medical and dental X-rays,account for approximately 18 percent of theaverageperson’slifetimeexposure.

Radiationexposure inhumans ismeasured inunits called rads and rems. A rad (radiationabsorbeddose)isameasureof theenergydepos-itedbyionizingradiationwhenit’sabsorbedbyanobject.A rem (roentgenequivalentman) isa measure of the biological effect of ionizingradiation.Differenttypesof radiationcausedif-ferentamountsof damage.Theremmeasure-ment takes this into account.ForX-rays, radsandremsareequivalent.Aquantityof 1rador1remisasubstantialdoseof radiation.Smallerdosesaremeasuredinmillirads(thousandthsof arad)or millirems(thousandthsof arem).TheaverageannualradiationexposureforapersonintheUnitedStatesisaboutone-tenthof arem.

Diagnostic X-RaysThe EPA estimates that 30 to 50 percent of the700millionX-raystakeneveryyearintheUnited States are unnecessary. However, doc-torssometimesprescribeX-raysornewerimag-ingtechniquesinvolvingradiation,suchasCTscans, to protect themselves from malpracticesuits,andhospitalsbenefitfinanciallyfromtheheavyuseof X-rayequipment.

DentalX-raysinvolvelittleradiation,butmanypeoplereceivesomanysooftenthatthey’resec-ond only to chest examinations in frequency.Newtechnologyhassignificantlyreducedradia-tionexposure.

Your Hearing HealthHearing loss is the third-most commonchronichealthproblem,afterhighbloodpres-sure and arthritis, among older Americans.

areassociatedwithusingwirelessphones.Thereis no proof, however, that wireless phones areabsolutely safe.” Additional studies are underway.

Researchershavedocumentedanincreaseinearcanaltemperaturewithcellphoneuse,proteinchanges inhuman cells exposed to cell phoneradiation,andanincreasedrateof benignbraintumors. Other research found no impact onthedailypatternsof hormonessecretedbythegonads, pituitary, or adrenal glands in men.22Somehealthexpertshavediscouragedchildrenfromusingcellphoneslargelybecauseof con-cernsthattheirdevelopingnervoussystemsmaybeespeciallyvulnerable.

AsdiscussedinChapter18,cellphonesdoposeoneserioushealthrisk.Driversdistractedbycellphonesaremorelikelytogetintoaccidentsandtohit—andkill—pedestrians.23

MicrowavesMicrowaves (extremely high frequency elec-tromagnetic waves) increase the rate at whichmolecules vibrate; this vibration generatesheat.There’snoevidencethatexistinglevelsof microwave radiation encountered in the envi-ronment pose a health risk to people, and allhomemicrowaveovensmustmeet safety stan-dardsforleakage.

Aconcernaboutthesafetyof microwaveovensstems from the chemicals in plastic wrappingandplasticcontainersusedinmicrowaveovens.Chemicalsmayleakintofood.Inhighconcen-trations,someof thechemicals(suchasDEHA,which makes plastic more pliable) can causecancerinmice.Consumersshouldbecautiousabout using clingy plastic wrap when reheat-ing leftovers, and plastic-encased metal “heatsusceptors”includedinconveniencefoodssuchaspopcornandpizza.Although thesemateri-alsseemsafewhentestedinconventionalovensat temperatures of 300° to 350° Fahrenheit,microwave ovens can boost temperatures to500°Fahrenheit.

Ionizing RadiationRadiationthatpossessesenoughenergytosepa-rateelectronsfromtheiratoms,leavingchargedions,iscalledionizing radiation.Itseffectsonhealth depend on many factors, including the





canreach110 to140dB,aboutas loudasanairraidsiren.

Effects of NoiseNoise-inducedhearing loss is100percentpre-ventable—and irreversible. Hearing aids aretheonlytreatment,buttheydonotcorrecttheproblem;theyjustamplifysoundtocompensateforhearingloss.

Thehealthyhumanearcanhearsoundswithinawiderangeof frequencies(measuredinhertz),from the low-frequency rumble of thunder at50 hertz to the high-frequency overtones of apiccoloatnearly20,000hertz.High-frequencynoisedamagesthedelicatehaircellsthatserveassoundreceptorsintheinnerear.Damagefirstbeginsasadiminishedsensitivitytofrequenciesaround4,000hertz,thehighestnotesof apiano.

Earlysymptomsof hearinglossincludedifficultyunderstandingspeechandtinnitus (ringingintheears).Brief,veryloudsounds,suchasanexplo-sionorgunfire,canproduceimmediate,severe,and permanent hearing loss. Longer exposureto less intensebut stillhazardous sounds, such

Noise-inducedhearinglossisthemostfrequentpreventabledisability.Nearly22millionAmeri-cansbetweenages20and69have irreversiblydamaged hearing because of excessive noiseexposure.Regularuseof over-the-counterpain-killersalsocanleadtohearingloss,especiallyinyoungermen.24

How Loud Is That Noise?Loudness,or the intensityof a sound, ismea-sured indecibels (dB).Awhisper is20deci-bels;aconversationinalivingroomisabout50decibels.Onthisscale,50isn’ttwoandahalf times louder than 20, but 1,000 times louder:Each10-dBriseinthescalerepresentsatenfoldincreaseintheintensityof thesound.Veryloudbutshortburstsof sounds(suchasgunshotsandfireworks)andquieterbutlonger-lastingsounds(suchaspowertools)caninducehearingloss.

Soundsunder75dBdon’tseemharmful.How-ever,prolongedexposuretoanysoundover85dB (the equivalentof apowermoweror foodblender)orbrief exposuretoloudersoundscanharmhearing.Thenoiselevelatrockconcertsdecibel (dB) A unit for mea-

suring the intensity of sounds.

Besides listening to

the music at your next

concert, tune into the

noise level and how

your ears are feeling.

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as those common at work or in public places,cangraduallyimpairhearing,oftenwithouttheindividual’sawareness.

Conductive hearing loss, often caused by earinfections, cuts down on perception of low-pitched sounds. Sensorineural loss involvesdamage or destruction of the sensory cells intheinnerearthatconvertsoundwavestonervesignals.

Noise can harm more than our ears: High-volume sound has been linked to high bloodpressureandotherstress-relatedproblemsthatcan lead to heart disease, insomnia, anxiety,headaches, colitis, and ulcers. Noise frays thenerves; people tend to be more anxious, irri-table,andangrywhentheirearsareconstantlybarragedwithsound.

Are Earbuds Hazardous to Hearing?Althoughthereislimitedresearch,audiologists(whospecializeinhearingproblems)reportsee-inggreaternoise-inducedhearinglossinyoungpeople. One probable culprit is extended useof earbuds, tinyearphonesusedwithportablemusicplayersthatdeliversoundextremelyclosetotheeardrum.Hearinglosscanbetemporaryorpermanent.

The dangers to your hearing depend on howloud the music is and how long you listen.Becausepersonalmusicplayershave long-last-ing rechargeable batteries, people—especiallyyoung ones—both listen for long periods andturnupthevolumebecausetheyfeel“lowper-sonalvulnerability”tohearing loss.As longasthesoundleveliswithinsafetylevels(seeFigure19.3),youcanlistenaslongasyou’dlike.If youlisten to music so loud that someone else canhearittwoorthreefeetaway,it’stooloud.

For safe listening, limit listening to a portablemusic player with earphones or earbuds at 60percentof itspotentialvolumetoonehouraday.Attheveryleast,takeafive-minutebreakafteranhourof listeningandkeepthevolumelow.

Ask yourself the following questions to deter-mineif youshouldhaveyourhearingchecked:

• Doyoufrequentlyhavetoaskpeopletorepeatthemselves?

Ear canal

Earbudinsertheadphone

Eardrum(Tympanicmembrane)

Ear bones(Ossicles)

Hearingcanal

(Cochlea)

Decibels

0

Example

The softest sound a typical ear can hear

Just audible

Watch ticking; leaves rustling

Soft whisper at 16 feet

Quiet office; suburban street (no traffic)

Interior of typical urban home; rushing stream

Normal conversation; busy office

Vacuum cleaner at 10 feet; hair dryer

Alarm clock at 2 feet; loud music; average daily traffic

Motorcycle at 25 feet; jet 4 miles after takeoff

Video arcade; loud factory;subway train

Car horn at 3 feet; symphony orchestra; chain saw

Jackhammer at 3 feet; boom box; nearby thunderclap

Rock concert; jet engine at 100 feet

Jet engine nearby; amplified car stereo; firearms

Risk of injury

Zone

Safe

Injury

1,000 times louder than 20 dB




10 dB

20 dB

30 dB

40 dB

50 dB

60 dB

70 dB

80 dB

90 dB*

100 dB*

110 dB*

120 dB

130 dB

140 dB

Figure 19.3 Louder and LouderThe human ear perceives a 10-decibel increase as a doubling of loudness.

Thus, the 100 decibels of a subway train sound much more than twice as

loud as the 50 decibels of a rushing stream.

*Note: The maximum exposure allowed on the job by federal law, in hours per day: 90 decibels, 8 hours; 100 decibels, 2 hours; 110 decibels, 1⁄2 hour.





• Doyouhavedifficultyhearingwhensome-onespeaksinawhisper?

• Dopeoplecomplainthatyouturnupthevolumetoomuchwhenwatchingtelevisionorlisteningtomusic?

• Doyouhavedifficultyfollowingconversationinanoisyenvironment?

• Doyouavoidgroupsof peoplebecauseof hearingdifficulty?

• Haveyourfriendsorfamilysuggestedyoumighthavehearingloss?

Hearing LossIn a recent study, as many as one-quarter of college students sufferedmild hearing loss, including some

who believed their hearing was normal. Thislosscouldbetheresultof useof personalmusicdevicessuchasmp3players.25

Hearinglossgenerallyincreaseswithage,affect-inganestimated21percentof Americansages48to59and90percentof thoseoverage80.26YetonlyoneinfiveAmericansolderthanage70useshearingaids,eventhoughamuchgreaternumber have difficulty hearing and followingconversations.27

Your Strategies for Prevention

How to Protect Your Ears

• If you must live or work in a noisy area, wear hearing protectors to prevent exposure to blasts of very loud noise. Don’t think cotton or facial tissue stuck

in your ears can protect you; foam or

soft plastic earplugs are more effective.

Wear them when operating lawn mow-

ers, weed trimmers, or power tools.

• Give your ears some quiet time. Rather

than turning up the volume on your per-

sonal music player to blot out noise, look

for truly quiet environments, such as the

library, where you can rest your ears and

focus your mind.

• Soundproof your home by using drap-eries, carpets, and bulky furniture. Put

rubber mats under washing machines,

blenders, and other noisy appliances.

Seal cracks around windows and doors.

• Beware of large doses of aspirin. Researchers have found that eight aspi-

rin tablets a day can aggravate the dam-

age caused by loud noise; twelve a day

can cause ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

• Don’t drink in noisy environments. Alcohol intensifies the impact of noise

and increases the risk of lifelong hearing

damage.

• When you hear a sudden loud noise, press your fingers against your ears. Limit your exposure to loud noise.

Several brief periods of noise seem less

damaging than one long exposure.





Taking Care of Mother Earth

Environmentalproblemscanseemsocomplexthatyoumaythinkthere’s little you can do about them. That’s not the case. Thisworldcanbemadebetterinsteadof worse.Thejobisn’teasy,andallof ushavetodoourpart.Justasmanydiseasesof theprevi-ouscenturyhavebeeneradicated,sointimewemaybeabletoremoveorreducemanyenvironmentalthreats.Yourfuture—andourplanet’sfuture—maydependonit.

____Plant a tree.Evenasingletreehelpsabsorbcarbondiox-ideandproducescooling thatcanreduce theneed forairconditioning.

____Limit your driving.If youusuallydrivetocampus,checkoutalternatives, suchas carpoolingandpublicor campustransportation.

____Precycle. Surf the web for sites that sell products madefrom recycled materials. Click on http://www.ecomall.com/forlistings.

____Save the juice.Plugyourappliancesande-gadgets,whichdrain electricity evenwhen turnedoff, into apower strip.Whenever you leave, flicking off the switch effectivelyunplugsthem.

____Integrate a new “green” habit into your life every week.Turnthethermostatdowninwinterandupinsum-mer.Spendafewminuteslessintheshower.Usebothsidesof printerpaper.Onceaweekdeclarea“sparetheair”dayanddon’tdrive.

____Avoid disposables. Use a mug instead of a paper orfoamcup,aspongeinsteadof apapertowel,aclothnapkininsteadof apaperone.

____Recycle. Buyproductsmadefromrecycledmaterials.Shopforused furnitureorclothing.Don’t throwawayanythingsomeoneelsemaybeabletouse.

____Be water wise.Turnoff thetapwhileyoushaveorbrushyourteeth.Installwater-efficientfaucets,toilets,andshowerheads. Wash clothes in cold water. Drink tap rather thanbottledwater.

____Spare the seas. If youlivenearthecoastorarepicnickingorhikingneartheocean,don’tuseplasticbags(whichareoftenblownintothewater)orplasticsix-packholders(whichcangetcaughtaroundthenecksof seabirds).

Build Your

Future

Are You Doing Your Part for the Planet?

You may think that there is little you can do, as an individual, to save Earth. But everyday acts can add up and make a dif-ference in helping or harming the planet on which we live.

Almost Never Sometimes Always

1. Do you walk, cycle, carpool, or use public transportation as much as possible to get around? _____ _____ _____

2. Do you recycle? _____ _____ _____

3. Do you reuse plastic and paper bags? _____ _____ _____

4. Do you try to conserve water by not running the tap as you shampoo or brush your teeth? _____ _____ _____

5. Do you use products made of recycled materials? _____ _____ _____

6. Do you drive a car that gets good fuel mileage and has up-to-date emission control equipment? _____ _____ _____

Self Survey





Almost Never Sometimes Always

7. Do you turn off lights, televisions, and appliances when you’re not using them? _____ _____ _____

8. Do you avoid buying products that are elaborately packaged? _____ _____ _____

9. Do you use glass jars and waxed paper rather than plastic wrap for storing food? _____ _____ _____

10. Do you take brief showers rather than baths? _____ _____ _____

11. Do you use cloth towels and napkins rather than paper products? _____ _____ _____

12. When listening to music, do you keep the volume low? _____ _____ _____

13. Do you try to avoid any potential carcinogens, such as asbestos, mercury, or benzene? _____ _____ _____

14. Are you careful to dispose of hazardous materials (such as automobile oil or antifreeze) at appropriate sites? _____ _____ _____

15. Do you follow environmental issues in your community and write your state or federal representatives to support “green” legislation? _____ _____ _____

Count the number of items you’ve checked in each column. If you’ve circled 10 or more in the “always” column, you’re definitely helping to make a difference. If you’ve mainly circled “sometimes,” you’re moving in the right direction, but you need to be more consistent and more conscientious. If you’ve circled 10 or more in the “never” column, carefully read this chapter and “Your Health Action Plan for Protecting the Planet” to find out what you can do.





Making Change Happen

Going GreenEnvironmental concerns may seem so enormous that you

may think that nothing you do will have an effect. This is

not the case. The world can be made better instead of

worse. You have the power to make choices and changes

that will protect the environment we all share.

The lab “OurSpace” in Labs for IPC provides a systematic

approach to living a “greener” life. Based on the Stages

of Change discussed in Chapter 1 of this text and in IPC,

the lab provides a blueprint that will guide you as you

make changes that will benefit you and your environment.

Here’s a preview:

Get RealBefore you know where you’re going, you

need to understand where you are. In this

stage, you evaluate your environmental

values by rating how important (on a scale of

0 to 100) each of 11 goals is to you, including:

• Slowing or stopping global warming. ______

• Improving air quality. ______

You record a second number for how involved you are

with each item, with 0 representing not involved and

100 as involved in taking action as humanly possible.

You also assess how green your lifestyle is by check-

ing which of 19 things you do regularly. These behaviors

include:

• I buy products packaged simply in recycled or recy-

clable materials. ______

• I limit use of disposables such as paper napkins and

plastic utensils. ______

Get ReadyYour next step is to prepare for change by

following recommendations such as the

following:

• Check out campus resources. Look for a local chapter

of groups such as the Campus Climate Challenge, Stu-

dent Environmental Action Coalition, or the Sierra Club.

These organizations launch energy-conservation cam-

paigns for their campuses, sponsor conferences, and so

on. Download their calendars of scheduled activities for

the term and get involved.

Get Going This is the stage where you start taking

action with concrete steps that you incor-

porate into your daily life. Here is an excerpt

from the comprehensive six-week green

makeover included in the lab.

• Adopt a space. Take personal responsibility for a

piece of the planet. This could be part of a path you

walk every day to class, the stairs outside your dorm

or apartment building, a neglected flower bed on the

quad, your bus stop, whatever. Check on it regularly,

and . . .

Lock It In Your planet is going to need your help for

the rest of your life. That’s why it’s important

to make your new environmentally friendly

habits permanent. Here is an excerpt from

one suggestion of how to do so:

• Keep informed of environmental issues. Americans

are paying more attention to global warming and other

environmental threats. Follow political discussions.

Become familiar with the environmental positions of

political candidates. Note which businesses are taking

the initiative in fostering innovative, energy-saving pro-

grams. Be aware of . . .





Critical Thinking 1. How do you contribute to environmental pollution?

How might you change your habits to protect the environment?

2. An excerpt from a recent newspaper article stated, “Chil-dren living in a public housing project near a local refin-ery suffer from a high rate of asthma and allergies, and an environmental group says the plant may be to blame.”

The refinery has met all the local air quality standards, employs hundreds in the community, and pays sub-stantial city taxes, which support police, fire, and social services. If you were a city council member, how would you balance health and environmental concerns with the need for industry in your community? What actions would you recommend in this particular situation?

c. higher incidence of cancer and birth defects from chlorinated hydrocarbons such as DDT.

d. higher incidence of diabetes.

7. One of the most important things you can do to help protect the environment isa. use as much water as possible to help lower the

ocean water levels.b. recycle paper, bottles, cans, and unwanted food.c. avoid energy-depleting fluorescent bulbs.d. use plastic storage containers and plastic wrap to

save trees from being cut down.

8. Precycling isa. planning ahead about recycling.b. buying products packaged in recycled material.c. removing excess packaging and leaving it in the

store where an item was purchased.d. preparing to recycle.

9. You can protect your hearing by a. avoiding prolonged exposure to sounds under

75 decibels.b. using foam earplugs when operating noisy tools

or attending rock concerts.c. limiting noise exposure to short bursts of loud

sounds such as fireworks.d. drinking alcohol in noisy environments to mute the

sounds.

10. Which of the following statements about air pollution is false?a. More than 80 percent of the people in the United

States live in counties with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution.

b. Ozone in the upper atmosphere protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, but in the lower atmosphere, it is a harmful air pollutant.

c. Air pollution can cause the same types of respira-tory health problems as smoking.

d. Particle pollution diminishes lung function and increases the severity of asthma attacks.

Answers to these questions can be found on page 672.

Review Questions 1. Which of the following statements about climate

change is true?a. Increasing carbon dioxide production will slow the

progress of global warming.b. Most experts say that the buildup of greenhouse

gases is changing natural climate and weather patterns.

c. Climate change poses no health risks for humans in the next 20 years.

d. Increasing tree cover and agricultural lands will contribute to global warming.

2. An example of the concept of sustainability isa. getting enough to eat at every meal.b. lowering the price of gas to 1990 levels.c. using wind power to generate electricity.d. maintaining our current levels of energy usage.

3. Mutagensa. are caused by birth defects.b. result in changes to the DNA of body cells.c. are agents that trigger changes in the DNA of

body cells.d. are caused by repeated exposure to pollutants.

4. Drinking water safetya. may be compromised if your water comes from a

well.b. is low in the United States because of chemical

treatment.c. can be guaranteed by using bottled water, which

is completely free of chemical contaminants.d. is measured by the cases of illness reported each

year.

5. Threats to the environment includea. an open ecosystem.b. depletion of the oxygen layer.c. ecological processes.d. global warming.

6. Pesticide risks to health includea. reduced male fertility.b. higher incidence of childhood brain cancer if

parents have been exposed.

Making This Chapter Work for You





3. In one Harris poll, 84 percent of Americans said that, given a choice between a high standard of living (but with hazardous air and water pollution and the deple-tion of natural resources) and a lower standard of living (but with clean air and drinking water), they would pre-fer clean air and drinking water and a lower standard

Media MenuVisit www.cengagebrain.com to access course materials and companion resources for this text that will:

• Help you evaluate your knowledge of the material.

• Allow you to prepare for exams with interactive quizzing.

• Use the CengageNOW product to develop a Personal-ized Learning Plan targeting resources that address areas you should study.

Internet Connectionswww.envirolink.org Envirolink is a nonprofit organization that brings together individuals and groups concerned about the environment and provides access to a wealth of online environmental resources.

www.seac.org Since 1988, the Student Environmental Action Coalition has been empowering students and youth to fight for environmental and social justice in our schools and communities.

www.campusclimatechallenge.org The Challenge leverages the power of young people to organize on college campuses and high schools across

carcinogen 622

chlorinated hydrocarbons 633

decibel (dB) 636

ecosystem 619

electromagnetic fields (EMFs) 634

endocrine disruptors 632

ionizing radiation 635

microwaves 635

multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) 633

mutagen 622

organophosphates 633

ozone 623

pollutant 622

precycling 625

recycling 625

sustainability 624

Key TermsThe terms listed are used on the page indicated. Definitions of the terms are in the Glossary at the end of the book.

of living. What about you? What exactly would you be willing to give up: air conditioning, convenience pack-aging and products, driving your own car rather than using public transportation? Do you think most people are willing to change their lifestyles to preserve the environment?

• Coach you through identifying target goals for behav-ioral change and creating and monitoring your personal change plan throughout the semester using the Behavior Change Planner available in the CengageNOW resource.

Canada and the United States to win 100% Clean Energy policies at their schools.

www.stopglobalwarming.org This site is a nonpartisan effort to bring citizens together to declare that global warming is here now and that it is time to demand solutions.

www.cdc.gov/nceh/ This site, sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, features a searchable database as well as fact sheets and brochures on a variety of environmental topics, from emergency preparedness and public health tracking to environmental hazards and lead poisoning prevention.




672

Making This Chapter Work for You

Chapter 19

1. b; 2. c; 3. c; 4. a; 5. d; 6. c; 7. b; 8. b; 9. b; 10. a

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This page contains qustions for this chapter only

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