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Handbook of Chemical Property Estimation Methods. Warren J. Lyman, William E Reehl, and David H. Rosenblatt. American Chemical Society, 1155 16th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20036. 1990. 891 pages. $49.95, cloth. Reviewed by Stanton S. Miller, managing editor of ES&T In stating their objectives, the authcrs of this handbook point out that during the past decade, the chemical contamination of our environment has justifiably aroused growing concern. A proper assessment of the risk to humans and the environment from exposure to these chemicals generally includes attempts to measure or predict their concentrations in various environmental media, together with toxicological data about them. Frequently, however, neither the concentration data nor the toxicological data are adequate for any realistic assessment @p. 2-3). Nevertheless, if the most important physical and chemical properties of these chemicals could be estimated, their transport and fate in the environment could be better understood-even modeled in some cases-and their eventual environmental concentrations might be estimated, according to the authors. The Handbook of Chemical Property Estimation Methods contains a chapter for each of 26 properties that describe the behavior of a chemical in specific environmental situations. These properties are defined quantitatively and include the rate of hydrolysis in water, atmospheric residence time, and volatilization from soil. Other important properties are covered in other chapters, but are described qualitatively. They include the rate of aqueous photolysis and the rate of biodegradation. Additional research is required before quantitative methods of evaluating these properties can be developed. Some of the estimation methods discussed in this handbook are based on correlations (usually in the form of linear regression equations) between two properties. These correlations are more commonly used for certain environmental properties (e.g., aqueous solubility, soil adsorption coefficient, and bioconcentration factor). Linear regression equations are becoming more important, and a detailed discussion of this is provided in an appendix. The Handbook of Chemical Property Estimation Methods has some short-
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comings. For example, it covers only single components, that is, pure compounds. Mixtures such as gasoline or fuel oil, or even two-component mixtures, are not included. In addition, some chemical classes or structures, such as organometallics, are not mentioned. Nevertheless, this handbook will prove useful for estimating environmental parameters. Microbial Mineral Recovery. Henry L. Ehrlich and Corale L. Brierley, Eds. McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., 11 W. 19th St., New York, NY 10011. 1990. 454 pages. $64.95, cloth. Microbial Mineral Recovery describes the latest technologies in microbiological extractive metallurgy. Principal topics include bioleaching, biosorption, and fossil fuel processing. This book should be of interest to scientists and engineers who work in fields such as mining, ore dressing, fossil fuel processing, industrial waste treatment, and
water pollution abatement. The biorecovery of minerals and metals may prove to be a method to abate the pollution of water and soils by heavy metals. What You Need to Know to Live with Chemicals. Ralph I. and Susan Loy Freudenthal. Hill and Garnett Publishing, Inc., I!0. Box 180, Greens Farms, CT 06436. 1990. viii 180 pages. $12.95, paper.
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f i t Yau Need to Know to Live with Chemicals is written for nonscientists who seek enough knowledge of biology and chemistry to assess for themselves the importance of current environmental and human health issues. This book also aims at helping the reader gain insight into the causes and relationships of the issues and into the validity of various proposed solutions. Among topics discussed are chemicals themselves, how the body detoxifies chemicals, risk assessment, voluntary versus involuntary risk, and regulations.
0 VERSEASASSIGNMENT United Engineers & Constructors, Stearns-Roger Division, currently has an Industrial Hygienist position available at the Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal facility located 700 miles southwest of Oahu, Hawaii. This position requires a BS degree in Chemistry or Physical Science and a certification in industrial hygiene. Experience should be related to a chemical or processing plant facility. Applicants must possess excellent oral and written communication skills, U.S. citizenship required. We offer an excellent incentive package. This is a single status position with a 2-week rotation to point of origin after every 12 weeks on island. For immediate consideration, please mail full resume details and date of availability to: Human Resources Dept. MJG, Stearns-Roger Division of UE&C, P.O. Box 5888, Denver, CO 80217. We are an equal opportunity employer m/f/h/v.
0013-936X/90/0924-0803$02.50/0 0 1990 American Chemical Society
Environ. Sci. Technol., Vol. 24, No. 6,1990 803
