Discuss three of the most important factors influencing a person's vulnerability to environmental toxins

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The effect of toxic substances on humans varies considerably, depending on the factors of genetic makeup, age, health, and socioeconomic status. Firstly, one's genetic makeup plays an important role in susceptibility to chemicals. There is a growing body of evidence showing that humans vary in the ability of their DNA to be altered by toxic chemicals, thus equal toxicant exposures can result in quite a difference in susceptibility to cancer. Age particularly influences vulnerability because the young and developing, human nervous system undergoes enormous changes during the first decade of life, making children particularly vulnerable to neurotoxins. Finally, there is a growing body of evidence showing that socioeconomic status affects vulnerability to toxicants. Not only do poor people have more limited access to health care, they are also much more likely to live in environments that increase their risk of exposure. Living in older homes with lead paint, or living closer to industrial and waste facilities, are often considered normal living conditions for lower socioeconomic groups.