EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL 

 POLLUTANTS AND EXPOSURES ON 

 HUMAN HEALTH AND WELL BEING 



In addition to their often profound ecological implications, man's activities and 

 their by-products have negative as well as positive effects on human health and well 

 being. In some cases, these effects are long-term and only now are beginning to be 

 understood; in other cases, effects are suspected but not yet proved; and in still 

 others, effects as yet unsuspected may exist. The charts below outline the situation 

 as it is at present; however, the current climate of environmental concern is apt to 

 lead to research that will document and modify this outline rather than expand it. 



The following listings have been made available through the courtesy of the 

 World Health Organization. 



COMMUNITY AIR POLLUTION 



(Note: Items in parentheses refer to effects other than those directly affecting human health status) 



Agents, pollutants 



Definite Effects 



Possible Effects 



Sulfur dioxide (effects of 

 sulfur oxides may be due to sulfur, 

 sulfur trioxide, sulfuric 

 acid or sulfate salts) 



Sulfur oxides and particulate 

 matter from combustion sources 



Particulate matter 



(not otherwise specified) 



1. Aggravation of asthma and chronic 

 bronchitis 



2. Impairment of pulmonary function 



3. Sensory irritation 



4. (Effects on vegetation) 



6. Short-term increase in mortality 



7. Short-term increase in morbidity 



8. Aggravation of bronchitis and 

 cardiovascular disease 



9. Contributory role in etiology of 

 chronic bronchitis and emphysema 



10. Contributory role to respiratory 

 disease in children 



12. Impairs visibility (soils surfaces 

 and materials) 



13. (Alteration in incident sunlight) 



5. (In certain conditions, produces 

 effects on buildings and works of art) 



11. Contributory role in etiology of 

 lung cancer 



14. Increase in chronic respiratory 

 disease 



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