Introduction
Climate change is having a powerful impact on the world. The direct effects are easy to see, from rising temperatures to extreme weather events to droughts. Scientists are now discovering that global climate change has indirect effects as well. Climate change is increasing exposure to toxicants and affecting the toxicity of chemicals. This could lead to an increase in health conditions linked to environmental exposures. It is a well-known fact that exposure to toxicants has both acute and chronic health effects. Acute conditions like cardiac arrhythmias and asthma can be attributed to air pollution, for example. Chronic low-dose exposure to toxicants in our air, food, water, and personal care products are linked to conditions such as cancer, hormonal disorders, autoimmune conditions, immunotoxicity, and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Health care providers need to consider how climate change will alter exposures to pollutants, increase the routes and sources of exposure, and have effects on the toxicant itself. Now more than ever it is imperative that health providers consider the effects of environmental chemicals on patient’s health. Climate change is happening before our eyes, and it is already having an impact on toxicants in our food, water, and air.










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