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Health Information
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Saturday, November 22, 2008
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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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Queensland
Fever
People do not
usually get diseases from farm animals. However, those who
work with hides and animal products can get sick from breathing
the infected dust around them. This illness is called Queensland
fever because it was first discovered among cattle ranchers
and dairy farmers in Queensland, Australia. It is caused
by a tiny organism that infects livestock and then spreads
to the milk and feces. Symptoms include fever, chills, and
muscle aches and pains. Researchers have developed vaccines
to protect livestock workers from this illness.
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Reproductive Disorders
Beginning
in the late 1940's, many women who were in danger of losing
their unborn babies were prescribed a synthetic female hormone
called DES (diethylstilbestrol). In 1971, scientists discovered
that some of the daughters of these women were developing
a very rare cancer of the reproductive organs. Since then,
the use of DES and other synthetic hormones during pregnancy
has been discontinued. NIEHS and other agencies are studying
the possibility that some natural chemicals and man-made pesticides
may cause similar problems. They are finding that some of
these chemicals are so similar to female estrogen that they
may actually "mimic" this important hormone. As a result,
they may interfere with the development of male and female
reproductive organs. This can lead to increased risk of early
puberty, low sperm counts, ovarian cysts, and cancer of the
breast or testicles.
Sunburn
and Skin Cancer
Almost
everyone has stayed in the sun too long and been burned.
Too much sunlight can also produce the most common type
of cancer - skin cancer. Some skin cancers are easy
to treat because they do not spread beyond the surrounding
tissue. Others, like melanoma, are much more dangerous
because they spread to other parts of the body. Deaths
due to melanoma are increasing by 4 percent each year.
People can protect themselves from the sun's rays by
applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and,
when possible, staying out of the sun between 10 a.m.
and 2 p.m.
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Tooth
Decay
In
the 1930's, health experts noticed that people who lived
in areas where the water contained natural chemicals called
fluorides had fewer cavities. Today, nearly half of all
Americans drink water that is either naturally fluoridated
or treated with fluorides. This has lowered the incidence
of cavities as much as 65 percent. Dentists can also protect
young teeth by applying special coatings called sealants.
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Uranium Poisoning
Uranium
is a dangerous element because it is radioactive. This means
it gives off high-energy particles that can go through the
body and damage living tissue. A single
high dose of radiation can kill. Small doses over a long period
can also be harmful. For example, miners who are exposed to
uranium dust are more likely to get lung cancer. Uranium poisoning
can also damage the kidneys and interfere with the body's
ability to fight infection. While most people will never come
in contact with uranium, those who work with medical x-rays
or radioactive compounds are also at risk. They should wear
lead shields and follow recommended safety guidelines to protect
themselves from unnecessary exposure.
For more information on Uranium, click here.
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Page 5
National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Institutes of Health
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