Disease

Description

Causes

Health Effects

Heatstroke

A condition caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

Extreme heat events, heatwaves.

High body temperature, altered mental state, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, organ failure, and death.

Malaria

A mosquito-borne infectious disease.

Warmer temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns increasing mosquito habitats.

Fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, and in severe cases, coma and death.

Dengue Fever

A mosquito-borne viral infection.

Increased temperatures and precipitation creating suitable breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

High fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and severe bleeding in severe cases.

Zika Virus

A mosquito-borne viral infection.

Warmer temperatures expanding the range of mosquito vectors.

Fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis, and in pregnant women, birth defects such as microcephaly.

Cholera

A bacterial infection of the intestines.

Flooding and increased temperatures leading to contaminated water sources.

Severe diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, and in severe cases, death.

Lyme Disease

A tick-borne bacterial infection.

Warmer temperatures expanding the range of ticks.

Fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If untreated, it can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

West Nile Virus

A mosquito-borne viral infection.

Increased temperatures and changes in precipitation affecting mosquito populations.

Fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash. Severe cases can cause neurological diseases such as encephalitis or meningitis.

Asthma

A chronic respiratory condition.

Increased air pollution, allergens, and smoke from wildfires.

Shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing.

Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

An allergic response causing itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and other similar symptoms.

Longer pollen seasons due to warmer temperatures.

Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes, mouth, or skin.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.

Increased air pollution and exposure to smoke from wildfires.

Persistent respiratory symptoms, including chronic cough, shortness of breath, and frequent respiratory infections.

Diarrheal Diseases

Infections of the gastrointestinal tract.

Increased temperatures and extreme weather events leading to contaminated water and food.

Diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Diseases related to the heart and blood vessels.

Extreme heat events increasing cardiovascular strain.

Heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, and other cardiovascular complications.

Mental Health Disorders

Psychological and emotional conditions.

Stress and trauma from extreme weather events, displacement, and loss.

Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues.

Malnutrition

A condition resulting from inadequate nutrition.

Crop failures and food shortages due to extreme weather events and changing climate conditions.

Stunted growth, weakened immune system, increased susceptibility to infections, and developmental delays in children.

Vector-borne Diseases

Diseases transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas.

Changes in climate affecting the habitats and populations of vectors.

Various diseases including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and others.

Waterborne Diseases

Diseases transmitted through contaminated water.

Increased temperatures and extreme weather events leading to water contamination.

Various diseases including cholera, typhoid fever, and gastroenteritis.

Disease

Chemical Involved

Description

Causes

Health Effects

Minamata Disease

Methylmercury

A neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning.

Consumption of fish and shellfish contaminated with methylmercury, primarily from industrial wastewater.

Numbness in hands and feet, muscle weakness, loss of peripheral vision, damage to hearing and speech, and in severe cases, paralysis and death.

Yokkaichi Asthma

Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

A respiratory disease caused by air pollution.

Exposure to Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from petrochemical plants in Yokkaichi, Japan.

Chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and lung damage.

Itai Itai Disease

Cadmium

A painful condition caused by cadmium poisoning.

Consumption of rice and water contaminated with cadmium from mining and industrial waste.

Severe pain in bones and joints, kidney damage, brittle bones, and fractures.

Blue Baby Syndrome

Nitrates

A condition affecting infants due to nitrate contamination in drinking water.

High nitrate levels in drinking water, often from agricultural runoff and improper waste disposal.

Cyanosis (blue skin), difficulty breathing, lethargy, and in severe cases, death.

Pneumoconiosis

Coal dust, asbestos, silica

A group of lung diseases caused by inhaling certain dusts.

Inhalation of mineral dusts such as coal dust, asbestos, or silica.

Chronic cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and progressive lung damage.

Asbestosis

Asbestos fibers

A chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.

Inhalation of asbestos fibers, often in occupational settings.

Persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and increased risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Silicosis

Crystalline silica

A lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust.

Inhalation of crystalline silica dust, commonly in mining, construction, and sandblasting.

Chronic cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and increased risk of tuberculosis.

Emphysema

Tobacco smoke, air pollutants

A chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by damage to the alveoli in the lungs.

Long-term exposure to tobacco smoke, air pollution, and chemical fumes.

Shortness of breath, chronic cough, wheezing, and reduced lung function.

Sick Building Syndrome

Various indoor pollutants (e.g., volatile organic compounds, mold)

A condition affecting people in certain buildings with poor indoor air quality.

Poor ventilation, indoor pollutants such as mold, chemicals from building materials, and inadequate maintenance.

Headaches, dizziness, nausea, eye, nose, or throat irritation, and fatigue.

Black Lung Disease

Coal dust

A type of pneumoconiosis caused by inhaling coal dust.

Inhalation of coal dust, primarily affecting coal miners.

Chronic cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and progressive lung damage.

Berylliosis

Beryllium dust or fumes

A lung disease caused by exposure to beryllium.

Inhalation of beryllium dust or fumes, often in industrial settings.

Chronic cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and lung scarring.

Chemical Name

Source

Effects

Lead

Contaminated water, soil, paint, and industrial processes

Developmental delays, abdominal pain, neurologic changes, irritability, seizures, coma, and death

Trans Fat

Processed foods, hydrogenated oils

Increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes

Caffeine

Coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks

Increased heart rate, anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues

Pesticides

Agriculture, home pest control

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, muscle weakness, respiratory failure, seizures, and death

DDT

Insecticide, banned in many countries

Cancer, reproductive and developmental effects, liver damage, and endocrine disruption

Fluorine

Water fluoridation, dental products

Dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, joint pain, stiffness, bone fractures

Mercury

Contaminated fish, industrial processes

Tremors, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular effects, cognitive dysfunction

Iodine-131

Nuclear fallout, medical diagnostics

Thyroid cancer, other thyroid disorders

Formaldehyde

Building materials, tobacco smoke, household products

Respiratory issues, eye irritation, cancer

PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)

Electrical equipment, banned in many countries

Cancer, immune system suppression, reproductive and developmental effects

Bisphenol A (BPA)

Plastics, food and drink packaging

Hormone disruption, reproductive issues, increased risk of cancer

Glyphosate

Herbicides (e.g., Roundup)

Potential carcinogen, endocrine disruption, liver and kidney damage

Arsenic

Contaminated water and food, industrial processes

Skin lesions, peripheral neuropathy, gastrointestinal symptoms, cancer

Toluene

Paints, solvents, adhesives, gasoline

Neurological damage, respiratory issues, reproductive effects

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)

Non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foams

Cancer, liver damage, developmental and reproductive toxicity

Methylene Chloride

Paint strippers, industrial solvents

Cancer, liver and kidney damage, neurological effects

Phthalates

Plastics, personal care products, toys

Hormone disruption, reproductive issues, developmental effects

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

Fossil fuel combustion, industrial processes

Respiratory issues, exacerbation of asthma, cardiovascular diseases

Acrylamide

Cooked starchy foods (e.g., fries, bread)

Potential carcinogen, neurological damage

Chromium

Industrial processes, contaminated water

Respiratory issues, skin irritation, cancer (hexavalent chromium)

Dioxins

Industrial processes, waste incineration, food chain contamination

Cancer, reproductive and developmental effects, immune system damage

Formalin

Preservative, disinfectant, embalming fluid

Respiratory issues, skin irritation, cancer

Nickel

Stainless steel, batteries, industrial processes

Skin allergies, respiratory issues, cancer

Perchlorate

Rocket fuel, fireworks, contaminated water

Thyroid disruption, developmental issues in children

Tetrachloroethylene

Dry cleaning, industrial degreasing

Neurological effects, liver and kidney damage, cancer

Trihalomethanes

Chlorinated drinking water

Cancer, liver and kidney damage, reproductive issues

Triclosan

Antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, personal care products

Hormone disruption, antibiotic resistance, potential carcinogen

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Paints, solvents, cleaning products, fuels

Respiratory issues, eye irritation, neurological effects, cancer

Benzene

Industrial processes, tobacco smoke, gasoline

Bone marrow suppression, leukemia, anemia, dizziness, headaches

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, vehicle exhaust, faulty heating systems

Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, loss of consciousness, death

Cyanide

Industrial processes, certain plants, cigarette smoke

Respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, neurological effects, death

Ethylene Glycol

Antifreeze, industrial processes

Kidney damage, metabolic acidosis, central nervous system depression, cardiovascular effects

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

Natural gas, industrial processes, sewage treatment

Respiratory issues, eye irritation, headaches, dizziness, unconsciousness, death

Manganese

Welding, industrial processes, contaminated food and water

Neurological effects (manganism), respiratory issues, cognitive and motor impairment

Methanol

Industrial processes, contaminated alcoholic beverages

Metabolic acidosis, central nervous system depression, blindness, death

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, indoor sources like gas stoves

Respiratory issues, exacerbation of asthma, reduced lung function, potential cardiovascular effects

Ozone (O3)

Industrial processes, vehicle emissions, photochemical smog

Respiratory issues, eye irritation, exacerbation of asthma, lung damage

Phenol

Industrial processes, disinfectants, mouthwashes

Skin and eye irritation, liver and kidney damage, central nervous system effects

Radon

Soil, building materials, well water

Increased risk of lung cancer

Selenium

Industrial processes, dietary supplements, contaminated food and water

Hair and nail loss, gastrointestinal issues, neurological effects, respiratory issues (selenium toxicity)

Styrene

Plastics, rubber, and resin manufacturing

Respiratory issues, eye and skin irritation, central nervous system effects, potential carcinogen

Xylene

Paints, solvents, gasoline

Respiratory issues, neurological effects, liver and kidney damage

Zinc

Industrial processes, dietary supplements, contaminated food and water

Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, interference with copper metabolism

Formalin

Preservative, disinfectant, embalming fluid

Respiratory issues, skin irritation, cancer

Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)

Solvents, adhesives, coatings

Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; central nervous system depression

Vinyl Chloride

Plastic production, industrial processes

Liver damage, including hepatic angiosarcoma, a rare form of liver cancer, other organ damage

Benzopyrene

Tobacco smoke, charred foods, industrial processes

Cancer, respiratory issues, DNA damage

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Incomplete combustion of organic material, charred foods, tobacco smoke

Cancer, respiratory issues, skin disorders

Tetrachloroethane

Industrial solvents, cleaning agents

Liver and kidney damage, respiratory issues, cancer

Nonylphenol

Detergents, industrial processes, personal care products

Endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, potential carcinogen

Acrylonitrile

Plastics, synthetic fibres, industrial processes

Respiratory issues, skin irritation, cancer

Propylene Glycol

Food additives, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics

Generally considered safe in low doses, but high exposure can cause irritation and allergic reactions