How Big is the Problem?

The World Health Organization estimates that environmental contamination plays a significant role in at least 25% of major diseases worldwide.  This means that, on the average, 1 of 4 cancers, 1 of 4 chronic diseases ... are induced by the toxins that now permeate our “globalized” environment. 

With a plethora of environmental toxins intruding upon the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink, it is difficult to sort through all the information flowing into our consciousness with any degree of effectiveness.  A major part of the mission of Coming Alongside is to sort through this information for you, so that, given 101 things that you could be doing to protect you and your family, you can choose those things that have the most impact on protecting and preserving health.  Here, we provide overview facts and perspective for the student, for the researcher, or for the individual just getting started on understanding environmental health and exposures.  Resources linked to and described on this page are divided between (a) web-based, public resources, and books as well as (b) scientific literature whose validity is secured via the (impact status and reputation) of the journal in which the results are published. 

Please check back regularly as these pages are frequently updated. 

Literature based Resources:

1. Chen, Yue, Lorraine Craig, & Daniel Krewski (2008).  Air Quality Risk Assessment and Management, Journal of Toxicology & Environmental Health. Part A, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 24-39. 
   

2. Cote, Ila, Jonathan Samet, & John J. Vandenberg (2008).  U.S. Air Quality Management:  Local, Regional, and Global Appraoches, Journal of Toxicology & Environmental Health. Part A, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 63-73.
   

3. Krzyzanowski, Michael (2008).  WHO Air Quality Guidelines for Europe, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health.  Part A, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 47-50.