Generations at risk : reproductive health and the environment / Ted Schettler ... [and others].

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Schettler, Ted.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Reproductive toxicology.

Human reproduction--Effect of chemicals on.

Local Subjects:

Human reproduction--Effect of chemicals on.

Physical Description:

xviii, 417 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press, [1999]

Summary:

Generations at Risk presents compelling evidence that human exposure to some toxic chemicals can have lifelong and even intergenerational effects on human reproduction and development. The result of a collaboration involving public health professionals, physicians, environmental educators, and environmental advocates, this book examines how scientific, social, economic, and political systems may fail to protect us from environmental and occupational toxicants. It is an important sourcebook for those concerned about their own health and that of their loved ones, as well as for medical and public health workers, community activists, policymakers, and industrial decision makers.

Contents:

I Understanding and Using the Science: Reproductive Physiology and Toxicology 1

1 Reproductive and Developmental Physiology 3

Hormones 4

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system 5

The ovaries 9

The testes 10

Normal fetal development 10

How toxicants can affect reproduction and development 12

Principles of abnormal development 17

2 The Role of Science in Public Health Decisions 21

The scientific method and the issue of proof 21

Animal toxicology 27

Epidemiology 34

Quantitative risk assessment 43

Reexamining scientific tools 45

II Reproductive and Developmental Effects of Selected Substances and Human Exposures 49

3 Metals 51

Lead 52

Mercury 57

Cadmium 62

Arsenic 66

Manganese 69

4 Organic Solvents 73

Reproductive and developmental effects in humans 75

Solvent profiles 83

5 Pesticides 107

Active ingredients and "inerts" 108

Pesticides fate and transport 109

Exposure to pesticides 112

Reproductive and developmental toxicity of pesticides 114

Pesticide profiles 125

6 Endocrine Disruptors 151

Mechanisms of action 154

Health effects of endocrine disruptors 156

Endocrine disruptor profiles 169

7 Human Exposures to Reproductive Toxicants 189

Data sources relevant to human exposure 192

Data relevant to human exposure to reproductive toxicants 206

The relevance of exposure information 230

III A Guide to Investigating Environmental Threats to Reproduction 233

8 The Regulation of Hazardous Chemicals and Your Right to Know 235

Regulatory responsibility 236

Informed consent and the right-to-know 256

Twentieth-century seminal events relating to toxic chemicals 260

9 Taking Action: How to Assess Reproductive Threats at Home, in the Community, and in the Workplace 265

Common routes of exposure 266

Source of information 266

Home survey to assess threats 271

Community assessment 281

Workplace assessment 289

Consulting a physician 293

10 Primer for the Clinician 295

The occupational and environmental history 295

How to obtain more information 299

Follow-up 303

11 Reflections and Recommendations 307

Science: fragmentation and political influence 309

The soundness of science 310

The right to know 311

An integrated public health approach 312

Redefining goals 313

Appendix B Reproductive Outcomes Associated with Chemical Exposures 333.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [337]-396) and index.

ISBN:

0262194139

OCLC:

40443995