Chemical Education Today
Book & Media Reviews
A Comprehensive Guide to the Hazardous Properties of Chemical Substances, 2nd Edition by Pradyot Patnaik Wiley: New York, 1999. 984 pp. ISBN 0-471-29175-7. $149. reviewed by Douglas B. Walters
This book is a major revision of the first edition published in 1992. Fifteen chapters and 221 pages have been added and most of the former chapters have been rewritten, expanded, or updated. The book is divided into two parts and contains three appendices and an index. Nine chapters in Part A cover physical properties (new), toxic properties, target organs, and toxicology (new), cancer-causing chemicals, teratogenic chemicals (new), addictive substance (new), flammable substances, explosive characteristics, and peroxide-forming materials. Part B contains 57 chapters divided by chemical classification. The 3 appendices cover federal regulations and the IARC (International Agency for Research of Cancer) and NTP (National Toxicology) lists of carcinogens. This is a very readable and well-organized reference book that contains a wealth of valuable information on about 1500 chemicals. The book is unique for several reasons. Much of the information is hard to find, especially in one source with explanations. In addition, the book categorizes and classifies the 1500 chemicals by functionality, or class, into 57 chapters (e.g., acids, mineral; acids, peroxy; azo dyes; dioxin and related compounds; esters; haloethers; pesticides, carbamate). Each of these 57 chapters begins with a concise overview of the chemical and toxicological properties of the group. The discussion for each chemical usually includes core knowledge on identity, structure, physical properties, use, exposure limits, and health hazards. Information may also be included on
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edited by
Jeffrey Kovac University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN 37996-1600
shipping and storage, fire and explosion hazards, hazardous reactions, specific toxicological hazards, disposal and destruction, and analysis. Information on all these topics may not be given, because the information may not be available. A list of references is included at the end of each chapter. The topics in Part A provide a good synopsis of a particular subject (e.g., octanol/water partition coefficients, kidney injury, nephrotoxicants, opiate narcotics, peroxide-forming substances). The author realizes each topic could be a book by itself and provides a well-written thumbnail sketch for each topic in sufficient detail to understand the subject area. In most instances sufficient detail is given; however, addition of definitive references for each subject would have been useful. There are some omissions with respect to chemical health and safety and industrial hygiene. For example, there is no discussion on the hazards of compressed gases at the beginning of the chapter on gases, and no mention is made in Appendix A on federal regulations about OSHA regulations. In addition, some of the chapters (e.g., mustard gas and sulfur mustards) omitted a number of important compounds in a category— although a book like this can not be expected be all-inclusive. This book would be a valuable resource for any chemistry department. It is not intended for use as a text. I believe most faculty members, chemical hygiene officers, stockroom personnel, students, and teaching assistants will find it very helpful and informative. The book could be a useful addition to many safety professionals’ libraries; however, it depends on individual needs, training, background, knowledge, and experience. If an individual is just beginning his or her career or also has collateral duties as a chemical hygiene officer, this book should prove very valuable. Douglas Walters is Head of Laboratory Health and Safety, National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709;
[email protected].
Journal of Chemical Education • Vol. 77 No. 9 September 2000 • JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu
