Toxicants and Environmental Health: A Psychological Issue

Abstract

It is widely accepted that physical and psychological health are interconnected and interdependent. Although human well-being and survival depends on the natural environment, environmental health is often treated as separate and distinct. A review of the literature reveals significant associations between various industrial, consumer, and household chemicals and psychological and physiological ailments such as developmental disabilities, mental health issues, neurological impairments, reproductive abnormalities, and cancer. Given that the health of humans is inextricably connected with the health of other species and the planet itself, psychologists and other health professionals play a critical role in addressing the risks associated with toxic exposures.