Table 1.
Common Terminology of Environmental Exposures
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Body burden | The amount of natural and man-made toxins that accumulate by contact, inhalation, and ingestion over the lifetime of a person |
Carcinogen | Cancer-causing agent |
Developmental/reproductive toxicant | Chemicals that damage developing fetus, child, or reproductive system |
Endocrine disrupter | Chemicals that specially alter normal hormone function |
Mutagen | Chemical that can cause mutations in DNA |
Neurotoxin | Chemicals that specifically damage neurons within the central or peripheral nervous system |
Teratogen | Chemicals that cause birth defects |
Toxin | A naturally occurring poison |
Toxicant | A man-made poison |
Xenobiotic | Any foreign chemical or compound in the body |