Airborne environmental injuries and human health.
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.
Borchers
Andrea T
AT
Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, USA.
Chang
Christopher
C
Keen
Carl L
CL
Gershwin
M Eric
ME
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004782:Environmental Health; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000393:Air Pollutants; D004785:Environmental Pollutants