Environmental Poisons

Dangerous Substances present in the air, water and soil, which occur naturally or have been produced or released by human influences. Environmental poisons can be absorbed by humans by inhalation, via the skin, or together with food and drink. The dangerous environmental poisons include certain Heavy Metals (e.g. Lead, Cadmium), gases (e.g. Oxides of Nitrogen, Ozone), Dusts (e.g. Smoke), Chlorinated (e.g. DDT) and Halogenated Hydrocarbons (e.g. certain Pesticides, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)). The sources of environmental poisons include, for example, industrial firms, Power Stations, Motor Vehicles or domestic heating systems, and a large number of different products (e.g. Solvents from Paints and coatings). Environmental poisons can produce their effect alone or in combination of others. The transformation of non-toxic substances into toxic substances (and vice versa) can take both in the environment (soil, water, air) and in the body of living organisms. Especially dangerous environmental poisons are characterized by an outstanding ability to be absorbed by the human body, long Decomposition periods and high stability, enabling them to remain in the natural circulation system and to produce their harmful effect over a lengthy period.