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Measuring Carbon Content in Airway Macrophages Exposed to Carbon-Containing Particulate Matters

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Pollution and human biology.

Lawrence M Schell¹, Kristopher K Burnitz, Patrick W Lathrop

¹Department of Anthropology, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA. LMSchell@albany.edu

Annals of Human Biology

|April 24, 2010

Summary

Industrial pollution poses biological challenges, impacting human health outcomes like reproduction and development. Research shows pollutants affect physiological systems, necessitating exposure measures in human biology studies.

Area of Science:

Environmental Health
Human Biology
Toxicology

Background:

Industrial pollution is a novel environmental factor presenting adaptation challenges.
Mammalian physiological systems are demonstrably affected by numerous pollutants.
Human population studies link pollutants to adverse outcomes in mortality, morbidity, growth, and reproduction.

Purpose of the Study:

To underscore the biological impact of industrial pollutants on human health.
To advocate for the inclusion of pollutant exposure in human biological research models.

Main Methods:

Review of extensive laboratory research on pollutant effects in mammals.
Analysis of human population studies investigating pollutant-associated health outcomes.
Examination of specific pollutants like lead and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

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Main Results:

Pollutants can modify mammalian physiological systems.
Evidence links air pollution to increased mortality and morbidity.
Specific pollutants (lead, POPs) are associated with reduced sperm quality, menstrual changes, obesity, diabetes, and altered sexual maturation.

Conclusions:

Industrial pollutants present significant biological challenges to humans.
While evidence varies, pollutants demonstrably affect key biological outcomes.
Integrating pollutant exposure assessment is crucial for comprehensive human biological research.