Pollution, chemicals, and climate stressors affect everyone—but risks differ by gender and age. These eight facts reveal who’s most vulnerable and why.

Chemicals like BPA and phthalates can impair male fertility and alter women’s menstrual cycles—especially harmful during puberty and menopause.

Aging bodies struggle with heat regulation. Seniors—especially those on heart or psychiatric meds—face the highest mortality in extreme heat.

Men more often face industrial toxins (solvents, heavy metals), while women in cleaning or healthcare face constant disinfectant and sterilant exposure.

Men have higher rates of melanoma on the trunk; women more often get it on legs—likely due to clothing and outdoor activity patterns.

Farmworkers and landscapers—mostly male—show higher Parkinson’s and cognitive decline rates. Children of exposed women may face birth defects.

Since women spend more time in kitchens and use cleaning chemicals, they inhale higher levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Floods, wildfires, and hurricanes cause PTSD and anxiety. Women report higher emotional distress, while men show more substance‑use coping.

Understanding how exposures affect different groups helps tailor prevention—policy, personal habits, and protective gear—to protect everyone’s health.