APES Chapter 19 Flashcards
risk assessment:
process of gathering data and making assumptions to estimate short and long term harmful effects on human health or the environment from exposure to hazards associated with the use of a particular product or technology.
risk:
the probability that something undesirable will result from deliberate or accidental exposure to a hazard.
risk management toxicity:
using risk assessment and other information to determine options and make decisions about reducing or eliminating risks.
bioaccumulation:
an increase in the concentration of a chemical in specific organs or tissues at a level higher than would normally be expected.
biomagnification:
increase in concentration of DDT, PCBs, and other slowly degradable, fat-soluble chemicals in organisms at successively higher trophic levels of a food chain or web
poison or toxin:
a chemical that adversely affects the health of a living human or animal by causing injury, illness, or death.
median lethal dose (LD50):
amount of a toxic material per unit of body weight of test animals that kills half the test population in a certain time.
dose response curve:
plot of data showing effects of various doses of a toxic agent on a group of test organisms.
toxic chemical:
a chemical that adversely affects the health of a living human or animal by causing injury, illness, or death. includes carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens, and hazardous chemicals.
hazardous chemical:
chemical that can cause harm because it is flammable or explosive, can irritate or damage the skin or lungs (such as strong acidic or alkaline substances), or can cause allergic reactions of the immune system (allergens).
mutagens:
chemical or form of radiation that causes inheritable changes (mutations) in the DNA molecules in the genes found in chromosomes.
teratogens:
chemical, ionizing agent, or virus that causes birth defects.
carcinogens:
chemicals, ionizing radiation, and viruses that cause or promote the development of cancer.
precautionary principle:
when there is scientific uncertainty about potentially serious harm from chemicals or technologies, decision makers should act to prevent harm to humans and the environment.
nontransmissible disease:
a disease that is not caused by living organisms and does not spread from one person to another. Examples- most cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and malnutrition.
