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Endocrine Disruptors in the Environment by
A concise and engaging overview of endocrine disruption phenomena that brings complex concepts within the reach of non-specialists For most of the last decade, the science of endocrine disruption has evolved with more definitive evidence of its damaging potential to health and environment. This book lists the major environmental chemicals of concern and their mechanism of endocrine disruption including remedial measures for them. Divided into three parts, Endocrine Disruptors in the Environment begins with an overview of the endocrine system and endocrine disruptors, discussing their salient features and presenting a historical perspective of endocrine disruption phenomena. It then goes on to cover hormone-signaling mechanisms, followed by various broad classes of putative endocrine disruptors, before introducing readers to environmental epigenetic modifications. Part two of the book focuses on removal processes of various EDCs by biotic and abiotic transformation/degradation. The last section consists of four chapters embracing themes on finding solutions to environmental EDCs--including their detection, regulation, replacement, and remediation. Endocrine Disruptors in the Environment is the first book to detail the endocrine effects of several known environmental contaminants and their mechanism of endocrine disruption. Additionally, it: Covers both the chemistry and biology of endocrine disruption and compiles almost all the known endocrine disrupting environmental chemicals and their mechanisms of toxicity Addresses policy and regulatory issues relevant to EDCs including scientific uncertainty and precautionary policy Brings forth the use of Green Chemistry principles in avoiding endocrine disruption in the designing and screening for safer chemicals and remediation of the EDCs in aquatic environment Includes a useful glossary of technical terms, a list of acronyms, topical references, and a subject index Endocrine Disruptors in the Environment is an ideal book for environmental chemists and endocrine toxicologists, developmental biologists, endocrinologists, epidemiologists, environmental health scientists and advocates, and regulatory officials tasked with risk assessment in environment and health areas.
Endocrine Disruptors, Brain, and Behavior by
Our world and bodies are becoming increasingly polluted with chemicals capable of interfering with our hormones and thus, possibly, our present and future neural and mental health. As authors Heather Patisaul and Scott Belcher outline, there is a large lack of data and evidence in this causalrelationship, which begs a need for further study to accelerate progress in the endocrinology and neuroendocrinology fields.Endocrine Disruptors, Brain, and Behavior focuses on if and how these chemicals, known as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), affect the development and function of the brain and might be contributing to neural disorders rapidly rising in prevalence. The book provides an overall synthesis of theEDC field, including its historical roots, major hypotheses, key findings, and research gaps. The authors explain why even the concept of endocrine disruption is controversial in some circles, how differing definitions of endocrine disruption and what constitutes an "adverse" outcome on the brainshape public policy, and where the current capacity by different stakeholders (industry, academia, regulatory agencies) to evaluate chemicals for safety in a regulatory context begins and ends. The book concludes with suggestions for future research needs and a summary of emerging technology whichmight prove capable of more effectively evaluating existing and emerging chemicals for endocrine disrupting properties. As such, it provides the context for interdisciplinary and innovative input from a broad spectrum of fields, including those well-schooled in neuroscience, evolutionary biology,brain, behavior, sex differences, and neuroendocrinology.
Dioxins and Health by
Explores the latest science on dioxins and other POPs, and theirimpact on human health Now in its third edition, Dioxins and Health is the mostrespected reference of its kind, presenting the latest scientificfindings on dioxins, dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphenyls andrelated compounds, and their impact on human health. The book fullyexamines the many toxicological effects--includingimmunological, neurological, developmental, dermatological, andcardiological--these chemicals have on health. This Third Edition has been greatly expanded with thelatest research findings on dioxins and related compounds.Moreover, it now includes coverage of other persistent organicpollutants (POPs) and endocrine disruptors, including: Brominated flame retardants, such as polybrominated diphenylethers and hexabromocyclododecane Perfluorinated chemicals such as perfluorooctanoic acid andperfluorooctanesulfonic acid Other endocrine disrupting chemicals similar to POPs such asbisphenol A Readers will also learn about the latest findings on thelong-term impacts caused by the use of Agent Orange in Vietnam.Other chapters review the Seveso disaster in Italy and the Yushoand Yucheng rice oil poisoning incidents in Japan and Taiwan. Inaddition, there is a full chapter dedicated to the dioxin poisoningof former Ukraine President Victor Yushchenko. All the chapters in the book have been written by leadinginternational experts. References at the end of each chapter guidereaders to the primary literature in the field. Expertly organized in one volume, Dioxins and Healthoffers readers quick access to essential information about dioxinsand related compounds written in clear, simple language that isaccessible to not only scientists, clinicians and public healthprofessionals, but also general readers.
Lead by
Volume 17, entitled Lead: Its Effects on Environment and Health of the series Metal Ions in Life Sciences centers on the interrelations between biosystems and lead. The book provides an up-to-date review of the bioinorganic chemistry of this metal and its ions; it covers the biogeochemistry of lead, its use (not only as gasoline additive) and anthropogenic release into the environment, its cycling and speciation in the atmosphere, in waters, soils, and sediments, and also in mammalian organs. The analytical tools to determine and to quantify this toxic element in blood, saliva, urine, hair, etc. are described. The properties of lead(II) complexes formed with amino acids, peptides, proteins (including metallothioneins), nucleobases, nucleotides, nucleic acids, and other ligands of biological relevance are summarized for the solid state and for aqueous solutions as well. All this is important for obtaining a coherent picture on the properties of lead, its effects on plants and toxic actions on mammalian organs. This and more is treated in an authoritative and timely manner in the 16 stimulating chapters of Volume 17, which are written by 36 internationally recognized experts from 13 nations. The impact of this recently again vibrant research area is manifested in nearly 2000 references, over 50 tables and more than 100 illustrations (half in color). Lead: Its Effects on Environment and Health is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from material sciences, inorganic biochemistry all the way through to medicine including the clinic ... not forgetting that it also provides excellent information for teaching.
Health Effects of Pesticides by
The need to protect scarce and essential resources from other living things is truly prehistoric, but it is only in the last century that toxic chemicals have come into widespread use. Although pesticides are useful in agricultural sector and in control of vectorborne diseases, they may cause illness and death in humans. People most susceptible to direct contact with pesticides are subjects constantly exposed to pesticides either in the agricultural sector or in the pesticide manufacturing sector. Today, it is almost impossible for anyone to avoid frequent exposure to several different pesticide residues because of their extensive use. No wonder there is concern about possible adverse effects on human health arising from continual, long-term, and low-level pesticide exposure. Health Effects of Pesticides covers various aspects of the use of pesticides, their behaviour, degradation, and impacts on the agrarian environment. It focuses on pesticide poisoning incidents and farm practices in developing countries. The health impacts of pesticides, including neurological, respiratory, and dermal effects, are examined. Other repercussions caused as a result of pesticides, including reproductive abnormalities and cancer, are comprehensively discussed. Effects of pesticides on general health and agrarian health surveys have been touched upon.