Taking Things Apart & Putting Things Together Taking Things *. Putting Things 'Apart Qp Together
by John H. Woodburn Here is the story of what chemistry is, what chemists do, and what the results have been. This lively, informative, and imaginatively illustrated volume sums up the vital role chemistry plays in our daily lives with easy-to-read case histories, cartoons, magnificent photographs, and illustrations. Case histories tell the fascinating stories of aluminum, insulin, penicillin, polio vaccine, anesthetics, cosmetics, plastics, rubber, gasoline, methanol, color photography, color TV, magnetic tapes, and DDT. Students, teachers, librarians, chemists, or anyone who wants to know more about chemistry's contributions will want this exciting, colorful book. CONTENTS The Nature of Chemistry The Chemistry of Staying Well The Chemistry of Farming What Chemists Make for People The Chemistry of Energy Seeing Further with Chemistry Choices Through Chemistry 122 pages (1976) Paper $8.00 LC 76-20448 ISBN 0-8412-0314-8 Order from: SIS Dept. Box 68 American Chemical Society 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 or CALL TOLL FREE 800-424-6747 and use your credit card.
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Environ. Sci. Technol., Vol. 16, No. 2, 1982
"Since the earth is finite, human population and environmental use are in for a great contraction, especially if we are to be able to maintain the quality of our lives on a planet that is rapidly being exhausted." That is the essence of this book, which warns that a catastrophic collapse is due when the world's capacity to sustain the present rate of population and economic growth is finally overwhelmed. Indoor Pollutants. National Research Council, xv + 537 pages. National Academy Press, 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20418. 1981. $16.25, paper. Indoor pollution has become a "hot topic" of late. This work examines types of pollutants, both chemical and biological; asbestos; radioactive materials; and agents of contagion. Factors that influence exposure to indoor pollutants are discussed, as are recommendations for countermeasures. Environmental Risk Analysis for Chemicals. Richard A. Conway, Ed. xxiv + 558 pages. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 135 West 50th St., New York, N.Y. 10020. 1981. $37.50, hard cover. The aim of this book is to provide a systematic approach to gathering information about potentially dangerous substances. Data so gathered can help to prepare an overall plan for basic testing. A step-by-step method of determining any chemical's environmental risk is presented, and recognition of "early warning" signs is explained. Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management. Vol. 3, John G. Moore, Ed. xvii + 632 pages. Plenum Press, 227 West 17th St., New York, N.Y. 10011. 1981. $49.50, hard cover. In this volume, studies characterizing the nature of nuclear waste repositories are set forth. Vitreous and crystalline high-level waste forms, as well as non-high-level management processes are also examined. Natural analogues, leach studies, radionuclide migration, and other related and pertinent topics are also covered. Ozone Treatment of Wastewater. R. G. Rice, M. E. Browning, xi + 371 pages. Noyes Data Corp., Mill Rd. at Grand Ave., Park Ridge, N.J. 07656. 1981. $32, hardcover. The aim here is to acquaint the reader with state-of-the-art technology in ozone wastewater treatment. Oxidation processes are reviewed; funda-
mental principles of ozone technology are set forth; and many different industrial water/wastewater applications of ozone, from aquaculture to textiles, are discussed. Organic oxidation products and biological activated carbon are also covered. Detection and Measurement of Hazardous Gases. C. F. Cullis, J. G. Firth, Eds. xi + 226 pages. Heineman Educational Books, Inc., 4 Front St., Exeter, N.H. 03833. 1981. $35, hard cover. Why detect such gases? Aside from health and safety considerations, laws and regulations require this to be done. This book looks at how to do this task through measurement of flammable gases and vapors; oxygen deficiency; toxic gases in the workplace; and the like. Personal monitoring, statistics, and standard atmospheres are also discussed. Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. 3rd ed. Vol. 2B. George D. Clayton and Florence E. Clayton, Eds. xviii + 937 pages. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 605 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1981. $70, hard cover. This volume is part of the toxicology set. It considers occupational carcinogenesis, halogens, boron, silicon, alkaline materials, W-nitrosamines, aliphatic/alicyclic amines, and many hydrocarbons. Biogas: Production and Utilization. Elizabeth C. Price, Paul N. Cheremisinoff. vi + 146 pages. Ann Arbor Science Publishers, P.O. Box 1425, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48106. 1981. $29.95, hard cover. One principal advantage of biogas is that it is a renewable resource. This work looks at microbiology and biochemistry, the anaerobic process, denitrification, process kinetics, methane applications, anaerobic digester design, offgas determination, and sludge treatment with soil conditioning and composting. What Price Incentives: Economists and the Environment. Steven Kelman. xiv + 170 pages. Auburn House Publishing Co., 131 Clarendon St., Boston, Mass. 02116. 1981. $19.95, hard cover. Many economists speak in terms of economic incentives, such as the "polluter pays" principle, to control pollution. Noneconomists are often skeptical about the incentive approach. This book looks at the philosophical and practical concerns of both sides.
