Influence of Demographic Patterns on Human Response to Exposure to Environmental Contaminants: Heterogeneity Factors

Yashin, A.I., Bernstein, A.J., & Vaupel, J.W. (1985). Influence of Demographic Patterns on Human Response to Exposure to Environmental Contaminants: Heterogeneity Factors. IIASA Working Paper. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: WP-85-064

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Abstract

It is generally accepted that the risk of disease and death vary markedly by age and sex. However, there are also inherited and acquired factors that cause vast differences in human susceptibility to many pollutant exposures. Most people are less familiar with this wide range of heterogeneity precipitated by genetic make-up, life style, occupation, nutrition, residence location, etc.

The combined role of these many heterogeneity factors is often underestimated. Yet they are the major factors that determine the evolution of mortality and morbidity patterns within a population.

In this paper, we examine a variety of heterogeneities present in environmental pollutant susceptibilities, briefly look at how attempts to recognize heterogeneity have played a role in efforts to regulate pollutants, consider how likely shifts in the composition of population may affect morbidity and mortality rates affected by environmental pollution, discuss how indirect heterogeneity factors can lead to additional complications in interpretations of pollution-related mortality statistics, and offer several suggestive models of heterogeneous susceptibility.

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