Health Effects of Pollutants

With grateful thanks to Dr Neil Carman

HEALTH EFFECTS OF REGULATED AIR POLLUTANTS

SUMMARY

Dioxin
Particulate Matter
Lead
Arsenic
Beryllium
Cadmium
Chromium Compounds
Mercury

CANK Comment
See also: Castle's Analysis for the new Padeswood Fuels

Dioxin

Health effects list shown below that are known to be related to dioxin exposures through different media. The list is expanding as doctors learn more about this substance.

1. Cancer
2. Endometriosis
3. Immune System depressed resulting in increased susceptibility to infections
4. Immune system hyper-stimulation leading to 10 illnesses:
        * scleroderma
        * Graves' disease
        * Addison's disease
        * arthritis
        * asthma
        * Type I diabetes
        * Hashimoto's disease
        * Myasthenia gravis,
        * Lymphocytic adenohypophysitis
        * Thyroid diseases

5. Human Fetal Development impaired
6. Birth Defects
7. Sterility
8. Reduced Liver Function
9. Decreased size of human reproductive organs (non-functional)
10. Endocrine system impaired
11. Lower IQ
12. Fatigue
13. Reduced glucose tolerance
14. Emotional problems
15. Heart disease

Particulate Matter

Eye and throat irritation,
Bronchitis,
Lung damage,
Increased mortality rates,
Increased heart attack risk.
Increased respiratory problems, increased asthma,
Increased emergency room visits,
Increased use of inhalers and medications,

Lead
Retardation and brain damage, especially in children.
Learning disabilities.
Endocrine-disrupting and reproductive effects,
Anemia,
Nervous system
Hearing loss,
Joint pain,
Kidney diseases,
Heart,
Spontaneous abortions,
Vomiting,
Weight loss,
Nervousness, Irritability,
Sudden infant deaths,
Decreased thyroid function,
Headaches,
Immune system damage,
Chromosome mutations.

Arsenic
Cancer,
Birth defects,
Respiratory problems,
Suspected mutagen (DNA damage),
Heart problems,
Gastrointestinal,
Headaches,
Impaired memory,
Nervous system problems,
Sexual dysfunction.

Beryllium
Cancer,
Primary lung disease, although also affects Liver, Spleen, Kidneys, and Lymph glands.
Enlarged heart,
Conjunctivitis,
Adrenal gland congestion,
Cell mediated immune response,
Ricketts,
Osteoporosis.

Cadmium
Cancer,
Destroys bones by decalcification,
Kidneys.
Endocrine-disrupting and Reproductive effects.
Lung and Gastrointestinal irritation,
Behavior problems,
Liver, Destruction of cell membrane,
Pulmonary edema,
Osteoporosis,
Immune system problems,
Brain and nerve cell damage,
Birth Defects,
Genetic mutations,
Altered libido.

Chromium Compounds
Cancer,
Pulmonary problems,
Birth defects,
Liver,
DNA-Chromosome changes,
Headaches,
Immune system - problems,
Blood changes,
Nose bleeds,
Low birthweight - babies,
Nervous system problems,
Kidneys.
*Chromium VI; Chromium III;

Mercury
Targets organs like the brain, kidneys, central nervous system, eyes, skin, respiratory system and bowels affected,
Birth defects,
Neurological damage.
Endocrine-disrupting and reproductive effects,
Emotional disturbances,
Headaches,
Spontaneous abortions,
Immune system damage.

Sources:
Arnold Schecter, MD, Dioxins and Health, Plenum Press, 1994.
Marc Lappe, Chemical Deception: The Toxic Threat to Health and the
Environment, Sierra Club, 1991.
Cynthia Wilson, Chemical Exposure and Human Health, McFarland, 1993.
Hormone Copycats, National Wildlife Federation, April 4, 1994.

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