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Environmental Agents

Smoke Stack

These topics are chemicals or factors in the environment to which humans are exposed that may cause adverse health effects.

Environmental Health Links

  • 12th Report on Carcinogens (RoC)
  • NTP Speaks About Aloe Vera - The National Toxicology Program (NTP) conducted studies to help clarify the potential health hazards from ingestion of certain types of aloe vera.
  • Aloe Vera Fact Sheet (1MB)
  • Concerned Citizens  - US EPA site geared towards citizens who want to become familiar with environmental issues and the potential environmental and human health risks caused by pollution. Covers important emergency phone numbers, health and safety issues at work, protecting children at home and a community’s right to know about environmental exposures.
  • Environmental Defense Fund  - Environmental Defense Fund evaluates environmental problems and works to create and advocate solutions that win lasting political, economic and social support because they are nonpartisan, cost-efficient and fair. Topics include antibiotic resistance, agricultural policy, air quality, animal farms, environmental justice, pollution prevention, etc.
  • EnviroHealthAction  - An education and action center that provides an online community for health professionals and others interested in environmental health. Addresses topics covering toxic substances, children’s environmental health, air pollution, chronic diseases, climate change, vulnerable populations and drinking water.
  • Enviro-Health Links  - A portal to selected links to Internet resources on toxicology and environmental health issues of recent special interest; e.g., oil spills, nanotechnology, environmental justice, pollution, toxicogenomics, et al.
  • MyEnvironment  - US EPA site that allows a user to enter geographic information (zipcode, city or state) and find federal, state and local information about environmental conditions and features in that area.linking the disease with the toxin(s). The information is based on a review of published scientific research in environmental medicine and toxicology.
  • National Center for Environmental Health Fact Book 2002 - The latest research accomplishments and findings from the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health.
  • Protect the Environment: Report Spills and Environmental Violations  - Learn whom to notify and how to be prepared in case of an environmental emergency, such as a chemical or oil spill.
  • RTK Net  - Right-to-Know Network provides free access to numerous databases, text files and conferences on the environment, housing and sustainable development.
  • Science and Environmental Health Network  - This organization engages communities and governments in the effective application of science to protect and restore public and ecosystem health. The website includes topics covering political, economic, philosophical, scientific and social issues related to the environment and public health. SEHN is a major proponent of the precautionary principle as a basis for environmental and public health policy.
  • Scorecard  - Find out what pollutants are being released in your area. Enter a zipcode and receive information on the release of toxic chemicals, animal waste from farms, air quality, lead hazards and the health of your area’s watershed.
  • Toxins and Disease  - This spreadsheet from the Collaborative on Health and the Environment summarizes the links between exposure to chemical contaminants and about 200 human diseases, disorders, or conditions. Classified according to disease, the website provides strength of evidence (limited/conflicting, good or strong)

Additional Topics

Acrylamide

Arsenic

  • Arsenic and Human Health  - A compilation of links to national and international websites concerning arsenic. Information ranges from policies and regulations to data and research literature. A limited amount of information is available in Spanish.

Asbestos

  • Asbestos in Your Home  - US EPA site dedicated to helping the public understand what asbestos is, its health effects and what to do about it.

Chemicals (General)

  • CERCLA  (The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) Priority List of Hazardous Substances - The government’s list, in order of priority, of substances most commonly found at waste facility sites on the National Priorities List (NPL) that are determined to pose the most significant potential threat to human health due to their known or suspected toxicity and potential for human exposure.
  • Diseases and the Environment 
  • Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals – Fourth report in a series that provides an ongoing assessment of the exposure of the US population to environmental chemicals by measuring the chemicals or their metabolites in human specimens, such as blood or urine.
  • Household Products Database  - A database of more than 6,000 household products identifying key chemical ingredients and any acute or chronic health effects.
  • Toxins and Disease  - This spreadsheet from the Collaborative on Health and the Environment summarizes the links between exposure to chemical contaminants and about 200 human diseases, disorders, or conditions. Classified according to disease, the website provides strength of evidence (limited/conflicting, good or strong) linking the disease with the toxin(s). The information is based on a review of published scientific research in environmental medicine and toxicology.
  • TOXMAP  - Toxmap uses interactive mapping software to help users explore the geographic distribution of TRI chemical releases, their amounts, and trends over time. TOXMAP helps users create nationwide or local area maps showing where TRI chemicals are released on-site into the air, water, and ground. Maps also show locations of Superfund sites on the National Priority List (NPL), listing all chemical contaminants present at these sites. Users can search the system by chemical name, chemical name fragment, and/or location (such as city, state, or zip code).
  • ToxMystery - The National Library of Medicine's interactive learning site is designed to help children age 7 to 10 find clues about toxic substances that can lurk in the home. ToxMystery provides a fun, game-like experience, while teaching important lessons about potential environmental health hazards. Teacher plans and classroom activities are included. ToxMystery is available in Spanish, including all lesson plans.
  • Tox Town  - An interactive guide to toxic chemicals and environmental health risks you might encounter in everyday life, in everyday places.

Poison

Tobacco


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