Overview of human health and chemical mixtures: problems facing developing countries

Environ Health Perspect. 2002 Dec;110 Suppl 6(Suppl 6):901-9. doi: 10.1289/ehp.110-1241270.

Abstract

In developing countries, chemical mixtures within the vicinity of small-scale enterprises, smelters, mines, agricultural areas, toxic waste disposal sites, etc., often present a health hazard to the populations within those vicinities. Therefore, in these countries, there is a need to study the toxicological effects of mixtures of metals, pesticides, and organic compounds. However, the study of mixtures containing substances such as DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, an insecticide banned in developed nations), and mixtures containing contaminants such as fluoride (of concern only in developing countries) merit special attention. Although the studies may have to take into account simultaneous exposures to metals and organic compounds, there is also a need to consider the interaction between chemicals and other specific factors such as nutritional conditions, alcoholism, smoking, infectious diseases, and ethnicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Air Pollutants / adverse effects
  • DDT / adverse effects
  • Developing Countries*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Environmental Health*
  • Environmental Pollutants / adverse effects*
  • Fluorides / adverse effects
  • Food Contamination
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Humans
  • Industry
  • Insecticides / adverse effects
  • Metals, Heavy / adverse effects
  • Nutritional Status

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Insecticides
  • Metals, Heavy
  • DDT
  • Fluorides