Defense Responses to Toxicants, several major defense mechanisms available to
help the animal or human body to cope with environmental toxicants are
discussed. Emphasis is placed on such mechanisms found in respiratory tract,
gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, and membranes. A brief discussion of
defense mechanisms manifested by some plant species is also included.
Chapter 8, Air Pollution – Inorganic Gases, deals with the four gaseous air
pollutants included in the ‘‘Criteria Air Pollutants’’ designated by U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), i.e., sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen
dioxide (NO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ), and carbon monoxide (CO). The sources,
characteristics, and health and biological effects are discussed. Particulate
matter, also one of the Criteria Air Pollutants, is presented in Chapter 9. The
sources, characteristics, and toxic effects of particulates are reviewed. A more
in-depth discussion is presented for silica (SiO 2 ), beryllium (Be), and asbestos.
Although fluoride is not designated by the EPA as one of the Criteria Air
Pollutants, it is nevertheless an important atmospheric pollutant. Moreover, in
contrast to other air pollutants discussed in Chapter 8, fluoride can exist in
gaseous and particulate forms, and it is a waterborne pollutant as well,
afflicting tens of millions of people in several countries in the world. The
problem is worsening in several countries experiencing a growing use of coal
for energy. The importance of environmental fluoride is, therefore, examined in
Chapter 10. Volatile organic compounds (VOC), another group of pollutants
belonging to the Criteria Air Pollutants, are discussed in Chapter 11. The
properties and health effects of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons
are reviewed in this chapter. Of the aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene,
and the xylenes are discussed. Additionally, the sources, properties, health
effects, and metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are
presented.
Chapter 12, Soil and Water Pollution – Environmental Metals and
Metalloids, considers in some depth the sources, characteristics, health, and
biological effects of several metals and a metalloid found in soil and water.
Included in the discussion are lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), nickel
(Ni), and arsenic (As). The discussion includes a brief review of the incidents of
itai-itai disease and Minamata disease. Chapter 13, Pesticides and Related
Materials, presents the three groups of synthetic organic pesticides: chlorinated
hydrocarbons, organophosphates, and carbamates. The chapter also discusses
the toxic effects of several related organic compounds, such as PCBs, PBBs,
and dioxins. Current concerns about the disruption of mammalian endocrine
systems by these toxicants are also addressed.
Because of the growing attention towards widespread endocrine disrupting
chemicals found in the environment, a new Chapter 14, Endocrine Disruption,
has been included to enhance understanding of the issue. The chapter begins
with a brief introduction, stressing the concerns shared by many scientists,
followed by a review of hormonal function. These are followed by
characteristics of endocrine disrupters, proposed mechanisms of their actions,
and examples of endocrine disruption observed in various countries.
[17:19 15/9/04 T:/4365 MING-HO.751 (1670)/4365-Prelims.3d]
Ref: 4365 MING-HO YU Prelims Page: vi 4-24
help the animal or human body to cope with environmental toxicants are
discussed. Emphasis is placed on such mechanisms found in respiratory tract,
gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, and membranes. A brief discussion of
defense mechanisms manifested by some plant species is also included.
Chapter 8, Air Pollution – Inorganic Gases, deals with the four gaseous air
pollutants included in the ‘‘Criteria Air Pollutants’’ designated by U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), i.e., sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen
dioxide (NO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ), and carbon monoxide (CO). The sources,
characteristics, and health and biological effects are discussed. Particulate
matter, also one of the Criteria Air Pollutants, is presented in Chapter 9. The
sources, characteristics, and toxic effects of particulates are reviewed. A more
in-depth discussion is presented for silica (SiO 2 ), beryllium (Be), and asbestos.
Although fluoride is not designated by the EPA as one of the Criteria Air
Pollutants, it is nevertheless an important atmospheric pollutant. Moreover, in
contrast to other air pollutants discussed in Chapter 8, fluoride can exist in
gaseous and particulate forms, and it is a waterborne pollutant as well,
afflicting tens of millions of people in several countries in the world. The
problem is worsening in several countries experiencing a growing use of coal
for energy. The importance of environmental fluoride is, therefore, examined in
Chapter 10. Volatile organic compounds (VOC), another group of pollutants
belonging to the Criteria Air Pollutants, are discussed in Chapter 11. The
properties and health effects of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons
are reviewed in this chapter. Of the aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene,
and the xylenes are discussed. Additionally, the sources, properties, health
effects, and metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are
presented.
Chapter 12, Soil and Water Pollution – Environmental Metals and
Metalloids, considers in some depth the sources, characteristics, health, and
biological effects of several metals and a metalloid found in soil and water.
Included in the discussion are lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), nickel
(Ni), and arsenic (As). The discussion includes a brief review of the incidents of
itai-itai disease and Minamata disease. Chapter 13, Pesticides and Related
Materials, presents the three groups of synthetic organic pesticides: chlorinated
hydrocarbons, organophosphates, and carbamates. The chapter also discusses
the toxic effects of several related organic compounds, such as PCBs, PBBs,
and dioxins. Current concerns about the disruption of mammalian endocrine
systems by these toxicants are also addressed.
Because of the growing attention towards widespread endocrine disrupting
chemicals found in the environment, a new Chapter 14, Endocrine Disruption,
has been included to enhance understanding of the issue. The chapter begins
with a brief introduction, stressing the concerns shared by many scientists,
followed by a review of hormonal function. These are followed by
characteristics of endocrine disrupters, proposed mechanisms of their actions,
and examples of endocrine disruption observed in various countries.
[17:19 15/9/04 T:/4365 MING-HO.751 (1670)/4365-Prelims.3d]
Ref: 4365 MING-HO YU Prelims Page: vi 4-24