1. What problems did researchers find in the alligator population of Lake Apopka?  What was the probable cause?

2. Know the following categories of hazards:

physical

chemical

biological

cultural

3. In the developing countries, what % of deaths are caused by infectious diseases?

Worldwide, transmissible or infectious diseases cause what % of deaths?

4. What are the 5 leading infectious diseases, in terms of annual deaths? 

5. Why is malaria increasing?

6. Why is tuberculosis increasing?

7. List 4 indoor pollutants.  What factors contribute to the exposure of people to indoor pollutants in the wealthy countries like the US?

8. Why is lead a problem? What is its effect and how are we exposed to it?

9. What are PBDEs? Why have they been banned in Europe?

10. Have all or most of the synthetic chemicals used in modern society been tested for toxicity?

List two classes of chemicals that are extremely toxic in very small amounts.

11. What did the 2002 USGS study of U.S. streams show?

12. What did Rachel Carson's book, Silent Spring, deal with?   What was the effect of its publication?

13. Why do some countries still use DDT?  (Should US companies be allowed to produce and export a pesticide that is banned for use in this country?)

14. Know the following terms:

carcinogen

mutagen

allergen

neurotoxin

endocrine disruptor

15. How widespread is the problem of exposure to endocrine disruptors? 

Why are they a problem, even in minute concentrations? 

16. What is the evidence that they may be affecting human populations?

Know that atrazine, bisphenol-A, and phthalates are endocrine disruptors, as are many chlorinated hydrocarbons (found in plastics and pesticides).

17. How does persistence affect the problem of toxicants?  What factors influence the rate of breakdown or decomposition?

18. Know bioaccumulation and biomagnification.

19. What are epidemiological studies? What are their strengths and weaknesses?

20. Animal studies are usually dose-response experiments. What are their strengths and weaknesses?

21. What factors influence the response of different individuals to a particular dose?

22. What are synergistic effects, and how do they complicate toxicity studies?

23. What chemicals does the FDA regulate? EPA?

What does OSHA do?

24. What are POPS?   What International Treaty is aimed at ending their use and release into the environment?