Home > Lifestyle > EnviroHealth > Faqs Faqs All sections in Environmental Health » 21st Century Life » FAQs » Animals » Climate and pollution » Hazards and disasters » EnviroHealth News Glossary of environmental terms This glossary is a work in progress. If the term or concept that's baffling you isn't on this list, just ask and we'll add it. Start A Health24 blog » Follow Health24 on Facebook » Test Are you envirohealth savvy? » Ask EnviroHealth Expert » Earth Hour 2013 Ecoroofs and Living Walls Which meat harms the planet most? We should aim to cut back on meat-eating generally, but some kinds, like lamb and beef, have a much higher carbon footprint than others. Can smoking cause global warming? Smoking itself doesn't significantly contribute to climate change, but the farming and processing of tobacco certainly does. Can aircon make you sick? Does the air conditioner in a office make one sick? Flu? Colds? Sinus conditions? What is multiple chemical sensitivity? “Multiple chemical sensitivity” means that a person is hypersensitive to chemicals in the environment. The condition is associated with chronic flu-like or allergy-like symptoms What is sick building syndrome? Sick building syndrome is when people who occupy a building experience symptoms that occur mainly when they spend time there. The cause is thought to be poor indoor air quality. What causes acid rain? "Acid rain" is rain (or any other kind of precipitation) that is abnormally acidic. The acid in acid rain comes from air pollutants called sulphur and nitrogen oxides. “ Latest comment on Health24 Mandisa Macingwane says... thank you for this article. my 16 month old son has recurring fungal infection and i had a case of candida which i though was sorted out but all my life i have suffered from acid... The benefits of probiotics ” Is the ozone hole still an issue? Since the phase-out of ozone-depleting compounds, atmospheric concentrations of many such gases has lessened. However, it will take many years for the ozone hole to heal. Black particles in tapwater? Q: My kitchen sink mixer was recently replaced by a plumber and he flushed the pipes for more than half an hour, emptying my geyser in the process. What are “heavy metals”? “Heavy metals” are those with high density. They are often implicated in human poisoning, especially lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium. load more articles advertisement From our sponsors Don’t be taken by surprise this winter. Keep your defences up with Vital Hop, skip and jump through winter with Hill’s Pet Nutrition Age-related bone loss is higher in women Conduct your most important Medihelp business from your mobile phone Live healthier Sleep well » Snoring Insomnia Sleep deprived? Create bedroom harmony Follow these tips for a peaceful retreat. Keep your pet healthy » Strange cat facts Walking the dog Ask the expert Health benefits of owning a pet Here are some surprising benefits of owing a pet.
Which meat harms the planet most? We should aim to cut back on meat-eating generally, but some kinds, like lamb and beef, have a much higher carbon footprint than others.
Can smoking cause global warming? Smoking itself doesn't significantly contribute to climate change, but the farming and processing of tobacco certainly does.
Can aircon make you sick? Does the air conditioner in a office make one sick? Flu? Colds? Sinus conditions?
What is multiple chemical sensitivity? “Multiple chemical sensitivity” means that a person is hypersensitive to chemicals in the environment. The condition is associated with chronic flu-like or allergy-like symptoms
What is sick building syndrome? Sick building syndrome is when people who occupy a building experience symptoms that occur mainly when they spend time there. The cause is thought to be poor indoor air quality.
What causes acid rain? "Acid rain" is rain (or any other kind of precipitation) that is abnormally acidic. The acid in acid rain comes from air pollutants called sulphur and nitrogen oxides.
Is the ozone hole still an issue? Since the phase-out of ozone-depleting compounds, atmospheric concentrations of many such gases has lessened. However, it will take many years for the ozone hole to heal.
Black particles in tapwater? Q: My kitchen sink mixer was recently replaced by a plumber and he flushed the pipes for more than half an hour, emptying my geyser in the process.
What are “heavy metals”? “Heavy metals” are those with high density. They are often implicated in human poisoning, especially lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium.