Glossary of the earth.
A · Adverse health effects Effects of chemicals or other materials that impair one's health. They can range from relatively mild temporary conditions such as minor eye or throat irritation, shortness of breath or headaches to permanent and serious conditions such as cancer, birth defects or damage to organs. · Advisory level The level above which an environmental protection agency suggests it is potentially harmful to be exposed to a contaminant, although no action is mandated. B · Bioaccumulation The process by which the concentrations of some toxic chemicals gradually increase in living tissue, such as in plants, fish, or people as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. E · Exposure pathways Existing or hypothetical routes by which chemicals in soil, water or other media can come i...
