Environmental factor

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Environmental factor or ecological factor or ecofactor is any factor, abiotic or biotic, that influences living organisms. [1]

Overview

Apart from the true monogenic genetic disorders, environmental factors may determine the development of disease in those genetically predisposed to a particular condition. Stress, physical and mental abuse, diet, exposure to toxins, pathogens, radiation and chemicals found in almost all personal-care products and household cleaners are common environmental factors that determine a large segment of non-hereditary disease.

If a disease process is concluded to be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factor influences, its etiological origin can be referred to as having a multifactorial pattern.

As an example of an environmental trigger, a component of a human's drinking water may activate (trigger) a change in a person's body. Such changes are mainly negative ones.[citation needed] Using this example, what is in the drinking water may affect one person entirely differently than another – someone may be affected greatly, whereas someone may not be at all.

Many cancers (osteosarcoma, etc.), along with a plethora of other diseases, are thought to be a result of environmental triggers.[citation needed]

Nitrates may be an environmental trigger for Alzheimer's, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease.[2]

Environmental triggers for asthma[3] and autism[4] have been studied too.

Other

Environmental factors such as the weather affect business interests.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gilpin, A. 1996. Dictionary of Environment and Sustainable Development. John Wiley and Sons. 247 p.
  2. ↑ Lifespan, "Nitrates May Be Environmental Trigger For Alzheimer’s, Diabetes And Parkinson's Disease", ScienceDaily 6 July 2009, retrieved 5 March 2010
  3. ↑ "Asthma and Its Environmental Triggers", National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, May 2006, retrieved 5 March 2010
  4. ↑ "Study showing evidence of a major environmental trigger for autism", November 10, 2008 navjot PhysOrg, retrieved 5 March 2010

External links

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