Factors Affecting Whether Environmental Contamination Could Result in Harmful Effects

_{Source: ATSDR 2002 pdf icon[PDF – 1,321 KB]}

This flow chart presents different factors affecting whether environmental contamination could result in harmful effects. The factors are shown in circles, with arrows leading from each circle to the next factor shown.

The first factor is the contamination source. Under this circle is environmental transport and site-specific exposure conditions. There is an arrow from this circle to the next factor, the exposure point, with estimated exposure dose under the circle. An arrow goes from the exposure point circle to biologic uptake (exposure), under which are absorption with an arrow to internal dose, with an arrow to distribution, metabolism, and excretion. From the biologic update (exposure) circle is an arrow going to another factor, target organ contact, with biologically effective dose under it. An arrow goes from the target organ contact circle to the biologic change factor, with repair and physiologic adaption under it with an arrow to threshold. An arrow goes from the biologic change circle to the last factor in the image of clinical disease.