Animals as Sentinels of Environmental Health Hazards


Book Description

Studying animals in the environment may be a realistic and highly beneficial approach to identifying unknown chemical contaminants before they cause human harm. Animals as Sentinels of Environmental Health Hazards presents an overview of animal-monitoring programs, including detailed case studies of how animal health problemsâ€"such as the effects of DDT on wild bird populationsâ€"have led researchers to the sources of human health hazards. The authors examine the components and characteristics required for an effective animal-monitoring program, and they evaluate numerous existing programs, including in situ research, where an animal is placed in a natural setting for monitoring purposes.







Science and Judgment in Risk Assessment


Book Description

The public depends on competent risk assessment from the federal government and the scientific community to grapple with the threat of pollution. When risk reports turn out to be overblownâ€"or when risks are overlookedâ€"public skepticism abounds. This comprehensive and readable book explores how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can improve its risk assessment practices, with a focus on implementation of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. With a wealth of detailed information, pertinent examples, and revealing analysis, the volume explores the "default option" and other basic concepts. It offers two views of EPA operations: The first examines how EPA currently assesses exposure to hazardous air pollutants, evaluates the toxicity of a substance, and characterizes the risk to the public. The second, more holistic, view explores how EPA can improve in several critical areas of risk assessment by focusing on cross-cutting themes and incorporating more scientific judgment. This comprehensive volume will be important to the EPA and other agencies, risk managers, environmental advocates, scientists, faculty, students, and concerned individuals.




Risk Assessment


Book Description

Site-specific risk assessment is the process of evaluating whether or not a site poses a risk to human health or the environment. The purpose of all hazardous waste site remediation is ultimately to render a site safe for human or ecological populations. Consequently, risk assessment, as the process used to measure the effectiveness of the remediation process, is critical to all hazardous waste-site work.Risk assessment at hazardous waste sites involves the use of standard approaches and assumptions in a reasoned, common sense manner. The purpose of this book is to provide practical guidance to people wishing to learn about, conduct, or use risk assessment procedures in evaluating hazardous waste sites. Critical issues, standard formulas and assumptions, and guidance on characterizing risk results in a useable manner are presented. The use of risk assessment as a key tool in selecting appropriate remedial options at hazardous waste sites is also described. Most attention is given to human health risks associated with exposure to toxic chemicals, but descriptions of the strategies used to estimate radiation health risks and to evaluate risks to the environment are also provided. Although most commonly applied to hazardous waste site remediation, the procedures outlined in this book are generally applicable to any situation involving a potential for health risks to an exposed population.This book provides guidance on the mechanics of risk assessment preparation and illustrates these approaches with examples. However, the focus of the book is on the subjective nature of risk assessment, the art rather than the science.The actual risk (i.e., the right answer) can never be known. Consequently, while it is valuable to attempt to obtain the best numeric solution, reasonableness and the application of common sense are equally important. The book therefore devotes a substantial amount of space to issues of uncertainty that are inherent in risk assessment, and the need to address this uncertainty.




Possible Health Effects of Exposure to Residential Electric and Magnetic Fields


Book Description

Can the electric and magnetic fields (EMF) to which people are routinely exposed cause health effects? This volume assesses the data and draws conclusions about the consequences of human exposure to EMF. The committee examines what is known about three kinds of health effects associated with EMF: cancer, primarily childhood leukemia; reproduction and development; and neurobiological effects. This book provides a detailed discussion of hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization for each. Possible Health Effects of Exposure to Residential Electric and Magnetic Fields also discusses the tools available to measure exposure, common types of exposures, and what is known about the effects of exposure. The committee looks at correlations between EMF exposure and carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, neurobehavioral effects, reproductive and developmental effects, effects on melatonin and other neurochemicals, and effects on bone healing and stimulated cell growth.




Comparative Risk Assessment


Book Description




Hayes' Principles and Methods of Toxicology, Sixth Edition


Book Description

Hayes’ Principles and Methods of Toxicology has long been established as a reliable reference to the concepts, methodologies, and assessments integral to toxicology. The new sixth edition has been revised and updated while maintaining the same high standards that have made this volume a benchmark resource in the field. With new authors and new chapters that address the advances and developments since the fifth edition, the book presents everything toxicologists and students need to know to understand hazards and mechanisms of toxicity, enabling them to better assess risk. The book begins with the four basic principles of toxicology—dose matters, people differ, everything transforms, and timing is crucial. The contributors discuss various agents of toxicity, including foodborne, solvents, crop protection chemicals, radiation, and plant and animal toxins. They examine various methods for defining and measuring toxicity in a host of areas, including genetics, carcinogenicity, toxicity in major body systems, and the environment. This new edition contains an expanded glossary reflecting significant changes in the field. New topics in this edition include: The importance of dose–response Systems toxicology Food safety The humane use and care of animals Neurotoxicology The comprehensive coverage and clear writing style make this volume an invaluable text for students and a one-stop reference for professionals.




Ecotoxicology


Book Description

Chemical Warfare in Nature Pesticides and other industrial chemicals are at the root of many pollution problems. In view of the toxic effects of industrial chemicals found in the water, soil, and air, Ecotoxicology: Effects of Pollutants on the Natural Environment considers the impact of chemicals on the environment from a wider perspective: the evolution of plant toxins—and defense mechanisms against them in animals as a consequence of plant–animal warfare. Comparisons are made between this and the development of resistance by insects towards man-made insecticides. Pesticides and Drugs The text focuses particularly on problems posed by pesticides and, to a lesser extent, by drugs. This material specifically addresses the problems that pesticides pose and explores the development of resistance to them. It focuses on the history of pesticides, pesticide selectivity between target species and beneficial organisms, and types of pesticides. It discusses mandatory ecotoxicity testing as part of the process of risk assessment of environmental chemicals. The text considers the effects of pollutants at the population level, with respect to changes in numbers and genetic composition. It factors in the sublethal effects of pollutants on population levels, and cites an increase in the concentration of persistent pollutants in natural food chains as a cause of the decline of certain vertebrate predators. Overall the text: • Considers plant toxins as models for pesticides • Emphasizes principles illustrated with practical examples • Includes a glossary of terms Divided into three sections, this text uses a variety of examples and case studies to examine the effects of pollutants—including naturally occurring ones—on natural processes. It guides the reader through the basic issues and principles; outlines the science of ecotoxicology, which is the study of the effects of chemicals upon ecosystems; and introduces various strategies for pollution control.




Principles of Toxicology


Book Description

Principles of Toxicology concisely and efficiently presents the scientific basis for toxicology as it applies to the workplace and the environment, covering diverse chemical hazards encountered in modern workplaces and natural environments and providing a practical understanding of these hazards for those concerned with protecting the health of humans and ecosystems. The work presents not only theory, but also practical information regarding chemical hazards to give the student and new professional a working knowledge of the practice of toxicology and the ability to solve problems in environmental and industrial settings. Case histories and examples from industrial and environmental exposures to chemicals are included to demonstrate the application of toxicological principles. To allow for seamless reader comprehension and further exploration of covered topics, the work is supplemented with numerous illustrations to clarify and summarize key points, as well as annotated bibliographies. In the 4th edition, all chapters and references have been updated to account for the latest scientific thinking, and new color figures have been added. New topics covered in 4th Edition of Principles of Toxicology include: Regulatory toxicology, including the key regulatory framework in which much of the field of toxicology operates Alternative methods in toxicology, including cutting-edge approaches to developing new information on the toxicity of drugs and chemicals The dilemma of selecting safe exposure limits, guiding readers through practical considerations and pitfalls in developing and using safe exposure limits Ecological risk assessment, with detailed discussion of methods and considerations when evaluating the effects of contaminants on plants and animals. Providing information on the principles of toxicology and the application of those principles to solve problems in environmental and industrial settings, Principles of Toxicology serves as an excellent textbook resource for advanced undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in a range of environmental and health fields. It is also valuable to health professionals who need toxicological information and assistance beyond what is found in an introductory text to general toxicology.




Human and Ecological Risk Assessment


Book Description

Understand the fundamentals of human risk assessment with this introduction and reference Human risk assessments are a precondition for virtually all industrial action or environmental regulation, all the more essential in a world where chemical and environmental hazards are becoming more abundant. These documents catalog potential environmental, toxicological, ecological, or other harms resulting from a particular hazard, from chemical spills to construction projects to dangerous workplaces. They turn on a number of variables, of which the most significant is the degree of human exposure to the hazardous agent or process. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment combines the virtues of a textbook and reference work to introduce and analyze these vital documents. Beginning with the foundational theory of human health risk assessment, it then supplies case studies and detailed analysis illustrating the practice of producing risk assessment documents. Fully updated and authored by leading authorities in the field, the result is an indispensable work. Readers of the second edition of Human and Ecological Risk Assessment will also find: Over 40 entirely new case studies reflecting the latest in risk assessment practice Detailed discussion of hazards including air emissions, contaminated food and soil, hazardous waste sites, and many more Case studies from multiple countries to reflect diverse international standards Human and Ecological Risk Assessment is ideal for professionals and advanced graduate students in toxicology, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, environmental science, and all related subjects.