Health Effects of Environmental Pollutants

Environmental pollutants have been present throughout human history. However, besides the conventional pollutants such as biological toxins and heavy metals, newly synthesized chemicals are increasingly becoming part of our environment. Often, the risks to humans and the environment are studied long after they are commercialized. Examples of such chemicals are pesticides and antibiotics. In the future, as technology advances, even more complicated risks are anticipated with novel substances such as nanomaterials. It is not possible to describe all the pollutants and toxins currently in place. Instead, we would like to focus on some of the most important chemicals and concisely summarize their properties and documented and suspected risks.