摘要：The world population is aging. In fact, between 2000 and 2050 the global population ≥ 60 years of age is projected to more than triple, reaching nearly 2 billion, and the elderly population is growing faster than the total population in practically all regions of the world (United Nations 2001). Recently, aging has received increasing attention. The theme of World Health Day in 2012 was aging and health. In addition, at a gerontology congress held in Cuba in March 2012, Margaret Chan stated that "within the next five years, for the first time in history, the number of adults aged 65 and older will out number children under the age of 5" (Chan 2012). However, living longer does not necessarily mean having a better or healthier life. With advancing age of the population, the prevalence of age-related diseases tends to increase dramatically. Thus, to reduce the burden of age-related diseases, it is important to identify and avoid potential risk factors for diseases such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disorders. Among the many factors that affect the aging process, environmental exposure is one of the modifiable risk factors. Therefore, we need to better understand the risks to the elderly from environmental exposure. Environmental pollutants and chemicals adversely influence the homeo static status of aging, frequently result-ing in development of certain diseases at an earlier age than expected. This phenomenon was unknown in the past because people died as a result, for example, of illness, injury, or hostility before reaching old age (Santangelo et al. 2011). However, the life span has increased substantially, up to the end stage of our biological programming, mostly due to improved living conditions. The question now is how environmental conditions (e.g., contaminants, climate change) are detrimental to the health of the elderly.
