Airborne Environmental Injuries and Human Health

Abstract

The concept that the environment in which we live can have detrimental effects on our health has existed for centuries. Obvious examples of substances that can cause human diseases include infectious agents, poisons, chemicals and other noxious agents, drugs, and physical stimuli such as bright lights and loud sounds. Some less obvious agents can include allergens, nontangible agents such as colorless, odorless gases and aerosolized toxins. In recent decades, humans have developed various new materials and compounds. Additionally, we are now producing known compounds, and even naturally occurring substances, in vastly increased amounts. Many of these substances are generally believed to threaten the health of our environment. However, there is also a considerable amount of hype and exaggeration regarding some of these agents (e.g., mold) that is unsubstantiated. This article extensively reviews the data on a large number of airborne-related illnesses and attempted to place scientific reality in the context of clinical medicine.

The immune effects of naturally occurring and synthetic nanoparticles

“…The result of these changes has been a rapid rise in the quantity and variety of pollutants in the air, including particulate matter pollutants. The impact of air pollutants on human health has been extensively reviewed [4,5]. Particulate air pollutants are of special importance because of their ability to carry a variety of chemicals that are hazardous to human health.…”

Mold and Human Health: Separating the Wheat from the Chaff

“…Most importantly, no evidence has demonstrated that mycotoxins produced by Stachybotrys or another mold are responsible for the diverse and often poorly defined symptoms attributed to "toxic mold syndrome" [69,70]. The etiology of SBS is more likely psychosocial in origin, as extensively discussed elsewhere [69,80].…”

Plant bioregenerative life supports: The Italian CAB Project

“…Plants' adaptability and productivity should also be studied, in terms of harvest index, product quality and taste. Finally, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants (Stutte & Wheeler 1997) should be also evaluated owing to their possible effects on plants (Maffei et al 2007) and humans (Borchers et al 2006).These kinds of studies will provide a number of elements and factors upon which operate trade studies to identify the best plants to use in space applications.…”