Lead is a toxic heavy metal used in batteries, ammunition, pipes and solder, and x-ray shielding devices. People are exposed to lead through air, drinking water, food, and ingesting dust or dirt that contains lead. For most Americans, lead exposure has been significantly reduced in recent decades through bans on leaded gasoline and lead-based paint. However, lead remains a serious public health threat for developing fetuses, infants, and children, who are particularly sensitive to its toxic effects. Read more »

Escherichia coli is a normal commensal organism for humans and many animals. While there are many harmless E. coli strains, E. coli O157:H7 can cause food- and waterborne illness. One route of human exposure to E. coli is through the consumption of contaminated drinking water. The bacteria are shed in animal and human fecal matter, and drinking water sources may become contaminated during rain or snowmelts that wash E. coli-contaminated wastes into surface and ground water. If the source water is not properly treated, drinking water may remain contaminated with E. coli. Read more »

Aging is associated with physiological, functional, and behavioral changes that can result in increased vulnerability to biological and chemical contaminants in drinking water. As a group, the elderly are at increased risk of infection and disease from microbial contamination due to many factors, such as reduced immunity, frailty from malnutrition, or existing chronic illness. In addition, decreased liver and kidney function associated with aging affects how the body processes chemicals, and irregularities of the thirst mechanism alter fluid balance. Exposure patterns for the institutionalized elderly may also differ in important ways from patterns in other populations. As a group, the elderly can suffer more severe consequences from infections such as Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7, and are at greater risk of dying from waterborne infections. Read more »

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) form when chlorine or other disinfectants react with organic material (from the decomposition of leaves and other vegetation) naturally found in drinking water sources. The use of chlorine to disinfect drinking water has been hailed as one of the major public health breakthroughs in the 20th century, resulting in a large decrease in mortality from waterborne infectious disease. However, in 1976 the National Cancer Institute published data showing that chloroform, a chlorination byproduct, caused cancer in rodents. There is now evidence that disinfection—though pivotal in fighting infectious disease—may also result in cancer and other health risks for humans. Read more »

Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) is a protozoan parasite known to infect humans and many animal species. The infective oocysts of Cryptosporidium are shed in the feces, and infection can occur by consumption of contaminated food or water, ingestion of contaminated recreational water, or through contact with feces of infected persons or animals. Cryptosporidium is not new, but is has gained recognition, both because it has become more widespread and because of evidence that there are potential life-threatening consequences of infection in the growing population of immunocompromised persons. Read more »

Global warming will bring more extreme heat waves. As the United States warms another 4 to 11°F on average over the next century, we will have more extremely hot summer days. Every part of the country will be affected. Urban areas will feel the heat more acutely because asphalt, concrete, and other structures absorb and reradiate heat, causing temperature to be as much as 10°F higher than nearby rural areas. Read more »

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A fact sheet on the health impacts of coal-fired power plants. Read more »

The sign of Global Warming are already here. “Death by Degrees” is a series of reports looking at the damaging health effects of global warming by states or regions within the United States. We encourage you to learn about the public health threats global warming poses in your state/ region and contact your elected officials to support climate policies that reduce our reliance on dirty fossil fuels and supports energy efficiency, conservation and clean renewable energy production. Read more »

Of the more than 80,000 synthetic chemicals in commercial use today, only a small fraction have been adequately examined for toxic effects in humans and other life forms. Read more »