It is widely accepted that a broad range of physical, biological, and chemical
exposures can damage health and well-being-for example, bacteria, viruses,
ionizing radiation, short asbestos fibers, lead, mercury, and organic
solvents. It is harder to demonstrate, and to find acceptance for, the notion
that psychosocial influences brought about by social and economic conditions
and conveyed by processes within the central nervous system or
human behavior can have corresponding effects (Karasek & Theorell, 1990;
Kompier & Levi, 1994; Levi, l971,1972,1979,1981,2000a, 2000b; Levi &
Andersson, 1974; Shimomitsu, 2000).