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Health Information
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Friday, July 04, 2008
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Find
more information about this topic from either the Web or the world's best
medical journals by using the search boxes at the top of this page.
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Environmental
Diseases
from A to Z
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A to Z, a2z, a to z, A to Z, a2z, a to z, |
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Job-Related
Illnesses
Every job has
certain hazards. Even a writer can get a paper cut. But
did you know that about 137 workers die from job-related
diseases every day? This is more than eight times the number
of people who die from job-related accidents. Many of these
illnesses are caused by chemicals and other agents present
in the workplace. Factories and scientific laboratories
can contain poisonous chemicals, dyes and metals. Doctors
and other health workers have to work with radiation. People
who work in airports or play in rock concerts can suffer
hearing loss from loud noise. Some jobs involve extreme
heat or cold. Workers can protect themselves from hazards
by wearing special suits and using goggles, gloves, ear
plugs, and other equipment.
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Kidney Diseases
About
3.5 million Americans have kidney diseases. These range from
simple infections to total kidney failure. People with kidney
failure cannot remove wastes and poisons from their blood.
They depend on expensive kidney machines in order to stay
alive. Some chemicals found in the environment can produce
kidney damage. Some nonprescription drugs, when taken too
often, can also cause kidney problems. Be sure to read the
label and use drugs as directed.
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Lead Poisoning
Sometimes, infants
and children will pick up and eat paint chips and other
objects that contain lead. Lead dust, fumes and lead-contaminated
water can also introduce lead into the body. Lead can
damage the brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs. Severe
lead poisoning can produce headaches, cramps, convulsions,
and even death. Even small amounts can cause learning
problems and changes in behavior. Doctors can test for
lead in the blood and recommend ways to reduce further
exposure.
For
more information on lead poisoning, click here.
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Mercury Poisoning
Mercury
is a silvery metal that is extremely poisonous. Very small
amounts can damage the kidneys, liver and brain. Years ago,
workers in hat factories were poisoned by breathing the fumes
from mercury used to shape the hats. Remember the "Mad Hatter"
in Alice in Wonderland? Today, mercury exposure usually results
from eating contaminated fish and other foods that contain
small amounts of mercury compounds. Since the body cannot
get rid of mercury, it gradually builds up inside the tissues.
If it is not treated, mercury poisoning can eventually cause
pain, numbness, weak muscles, loss of vision, paralysis and
even death.
Nervous System
Disorders
The
nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and
nerves, commands and controls our thoughts, feelings, movements
and behavior. The nervous system consists of billions of nerve
cells. They carry messages and instructions from the brain
and spinal cord to other parts of the body. When these cells
are damaged by toxic chemicals, injury or disease, this information
system breaks down. This can result in disorders ranging from
mood changes and memory loss to blindness, paralysis and death.
Proper use of safety devices such as seat belts, child restraints
and bike helmets can prevent injuries and save lives.
Osteoporosis
(OSS-tee-oh-por-OH-sis)
When the body
can't supply enough calcium, bones become thin and fragile.
This is called osteoporosis. About 25 million Americans
suffer from some kind of bone thinning. As people get
older, back problems become more common, and bones in
the spine, hips and wrists break more easily. Young people
can lower their chances of getting osteoporosis in later
years by exercising and eating calcium-rich foods like
milk and yogurt.
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Pneumoconiosis
(NEW-mo-koh-nee-OH-sis)
Ordinary
house and yard dusts do not pose a serious health hazard.
But some airborne particles can be very dangerous. These include
fibers from asbestos, cotton and hemp, and dusts from such
compounds as silica, graphite, coal, iron and clay. These
particles can damage sensitive areas of the lung, turning
healthy tissue into scar tissue. This condition is called
pneumoconiosis, or black lung. Chest pains and shortness of
breath often progress to bronchitis, emphysema, and/or early
death. Proper ventilation and the use of protective masks
can greatly reduce the risk of lung disease.
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National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National
Institutes of Health
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