In Situ Evaluation Of Biological Hazards Of Environmental Pollutants

The study of the relationship between environmental pollution and human health is in its infancy. The number of substances and mixtures that have been identified in uncontrolled hazardous waste sites or that have been in advertently released into the environment is large and data on how thes~ substances are modified as they interact with one another as they migrate through soil, air, and water are limited. There are also limits on our un derstanding of how these substances may be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed by people. The complexity of possible interactions between biological, chemical, and physical components in a given environment makes it virtually impossible to evaluate the potential for adverse biological effects ade quately in the laboratory. Other, more comprehensive methods which provide realistic and interpretable results must be used. Many scientists believe that humans represent the ultimate sentinel species of a toxic exposure re sUlting from environmental pollution, however such exposures may also se verely impact environmental health. There exists a wide variety of organ isms in the natural environment that could be used to provide an early warning for potential human health effects as well as to indicate adverse ecological effects. The issue of effective utilization of sentinel species for environment al monitoring is a rapidly developing area of research which has grown in importance during the last decade.

Biological and Environmental Hazards, Risks, and Disasters, Second Edition provides an integrated look at major impacts to the Earth’s biosphere caused by diseases, algal blooms, insects, animals, species extinction, deforestation, land degradation, and comet and asteroid strikes, with important implications for humans. This second edition from Elsevier’s Hazards and Disasters Series incorporates perspectives from the natural and social sciences to offer in-depth coverage of threats from microscopic organisms to celestial objects and their potential impacts. Contributions from expert biological, health, ecological, environmental, wildlife, physical, and health scientists, readers will gain valuable insights on damages, causality, economic impacts, preparedness, and mitigation. Provides inter- and multi-disciplinary research accessible to both specialists and non-specialists Includes newly added chapters on emerging hazards and risks to earth’s ecosystems (land conversion and habitat loss) and human health (spread of diseases) Contains full-color tables, maps, diagrams, illustrations, and photographs of hazardous processes

Ecotoxicity and Human Health emphasizes the relationships between toxicity, ecological systems, and human health. It focuses on the extent and nature of hazardous waste sites and how their effects may be studied in humans and other systems, using in vitro models, biomarkers of cellular and molecular damage, and animal models. It also includes considerable information on bioremediation, legal and regulatory issues, public perceptions and societal responses, quantitative modeling and analysis, and international directives. One of the unique features of Ecotoxicity and Human Health is its coverage of the legislative actions that have occurred over the past two decades and which have most affected the issue of hazardous waste. The book discusses the Superfund Statute, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Ocean Dumping Act of 1972, the Rio Conference, United Nations Declarations, EC Regulations and Directives, and selected state legislation.

Presents the broad outline of NIH organizational structure, theprofessional staff, and their scientific and technical publications covering work done at NIH.