Pollution and human biology

Abstract

Industrial pollution is a relatively new component of the environment of humans and may constitute biological challenges to human adaptation. Extensive laboratory research shows that many pollutants are capable of modifying physiological systems in mammals. Studies of human populations provide substantial evidence that some pollutants can affect biological outcomes of traditional interest to human biologists (e.g. mortality, morbidity, growth, reproduction). Air pollution has been linked to increases in mortality and morbidity, and specific pollutants such as lead and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been associated with decreases in measures of sperm quality, changes in the character of menses, increased obesity and diabetes, and altered rates of sexual maturation, as well as other effects. However, the evidence is far from homogeneous. Nevertheless, to achieve the comprehensive and holistic approach characteristic of human biological research, investigators should include measures of pollutant exposure in their multicausal models.

Keywords::

• Pollution
• health
• persistent organic pollutants
• air pollution
• lead

Acknowledgements

We thank Kyrie Nelder and Mia Gallo who provided invaluable assistance with the preparation of this manuscript, and the reviewers for their guidance. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center on Minority Health and Heath Disparities, or the National Institutes of Health.

Declaration of interest: This work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS-ESO4913-10; ES10904-06), the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD-5RDMD001120), and the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD-1P20MD003373-01). The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.