Lessons in Environmental Health in the Twentieth Century

Abstract

Environmental health has evolved rapidly in recent decades, drawing largely on new analytic technologies, advanced data acquisition and modeling, mechanistic studies in toxicology, and the conceptual framework of risk assessment. The latter combines toxicologic and epidemiologic data with improved techniques for quantifying exposure, producing estimates of risks from environmental hazards or conditions to selected target populations. The public and governments have become increasingly concerned with environmental health and quality. The major lessons have been (a) environmental-health scientists must participate in policy debates; (b) environmental health problems are exceedingly complex and require interdisciplinary research; and (c) environmental health is a global issue. The globalization of commerce, the untested impact of international trade agreements, increased migration, and especially increased population, have profound impact on the quality as well as availability of air, water, land, and food. Global atmospheric transport of pollutants and the effect on atmosphere and climate are two examples of globalization of environmental health.

Environmental Health Promotion: Bridging Traditional Environmental Health and Health Promotion

“…8 Advances in the 20th century such as improved scientific instrumentation and analytic methodologies, the development of computerized information and modeling, the growing knowledge base in mechanistic toxicology, the mapping of the humane genome, and the codification of the risk assessment process have partly enabled these gains. 1 Nevertheless, contamination of the environment continues to harm human health and quality of life for individuals and families, communities, and tribes. 1 Industrial processes, agriculture, mining, and improper waste disposal have contaminated oceans and freshwater streams and rivers and the marine life, plants, and other biota associated with them.…”

“…1 Nevertheless, contamination of the environment continues to harm human health and quality of life for individuals and families, communities, and tribes. 1 Industrial processes, agriculture, mining, and improper waste disposal have contaminated oceans and freshwater streams and rivers and the marine life, plants, and other biota associated with them. 2 Mercury, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other chemicals have found their way into the food supply and have also affected recreational and subsistence activities such as fishing, and tribal hunting and gathering traditions, as well as many other activities.…”

Public Health in the Twentieth Century: Advances and Challenges

“…However, Michael Gochfeld and Bernard Goldstein remind us that environmental health, almost synonymous with sanitation in the early part of the century, contributed to substantial reductions in vaccine preventable diseases long before vaccines were available (11). The environmental changes responsible for these reductions-improvement of food and water quality, better waste disposal, and reduction of crowding-reemerge as critical challenges to environmental health at century's end, alongside the continuing challenge of control of industrial and agricultural chemicals (e.g.…”

“…At the close of the twentieth century, increasing emphasis is being placed on sustainability, with attention to both the adequacy of life-supporting resources and the adequacy to dispose of waste products (11). However, it is difficult to get developed countries to reduce their high rates of consumption of nonrenewable resources.…”

Tillandsia strictaSol (Bromeliaceae) leaves as monitors of airborne particulate matter-A comparative SEM methods evaluation: Unveiling an accurate and odd HP-SEM method

“…As long ago as 1979, global natural and anthropogenic sources of pollutant metals into the atmosphere have systematically been inventoried in the air, waters, and soils (Nriagu, ; Nriagu and Pacyna, ). Atmospheric pollutants—particularly metals and metalloids—have effects on the air quality and, subsequently, water, land and food (Foster and Clarlesworth, ; Gochfeld and Goldstein, ; Nriagu and Pacyna, ; Skinner, ). Nevertheless, metals in PM and, consequently, health risks caused by them have undergone constant changes (Fenger, ; Nordberg and Fowler, ; Skinner, ).…”