Environmental Toxicology

Description:

Eco-toxicology, an offshoot of toxicology, is a multidisciplinary science that integrates toxicology and ecology by drawing knowledge and procedures from both fields. It analyses the effects of toxic chemicals or biological agents on living organisms at different levels of organization. Eco-toxicology classifies different contaminants, their characteristics, release and ecological fate, and predicts their effects so that timely action can be taken to prevent or minimize any detrimental effects.

Environmental Toxicology starts with the basics of toxicology, briefly touching on the sources of toxic compounds, classification of toxicants, and factors affecting toxicity, and then elaborates on heavy metal toxicity. The individual chapters on various heavy metals and radioactive metals discuss the sources and routes of exposure, aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and mechanisms of toxicity, toxicological effects, diagnosis, treatment, management, and ecological impact. The book covers the field in its greatest width and provides an insight into pesticide and radiation toxicity, and recent advances in eco-toxicology, with special focus on the removal of HMs and the latest bioremediation techniques.

This book serves as a reference work for advanced students pursuing degrees in environmental toxicology and across various disciplines, such as biomedical and environmental sciences, toxicology, eco-toxicology, pharmacology, public health, etc. and all interested in learning the concepts of eco-toxicology.

Features:

* A systematic overview of the key concepts of eco-toxicology, its relationship with other disciplines, and recent advances in the area

*Detailed classification of toxicants, types of toxicity, and mechanism of the action of toxicants

*An in-depth coverage of topics on the mechanism toxicity of HMs, in addition to exclusive sections on pesticide and radiation toxicity

*A fact file in each chapter, highlighting its key points

*Flow charts, tables, diagrams, and illustrations in easily understandable language.

Preface

Eco-toxicology, being a branch of toxicology, is a multidisciplinary science that integrates toxicology and ecology by drawing the knowledge and procedures from both fields. Principally, it examines the effects of toxic chemicals or biological agents on living organisms at different levels of organization. It not only categorizes different pollutants, their characteristics, release, exposure, and ecological fate, but also predicts their effects so that timely action can be taken to prevent or reduce the detrimental effects.

Scientists and researchers across the globe have been evaluating the effects of toxic materials on the individual and species in the food chain to analyse, predict, and prevent harmful events in the natural environment, by undertaking toxicity testing and risk assessment. To achieve this, monitoring studies are carried out so that the effects of toxins and poisons on the food chain, metabolism, deposition, and transfer of toxic compounds in different food chains can be predicted. This further helps in safeguarding the environment and ecosystems and is a significant contribution to the conservation of resources.

The book Environmental Toxicology, with 13 chapters starts with the basics of toxicology, briefly touching the sources of toxic compounds, classification of toxicants, factors affecting toxicity, and elaborates on heavy metal toxicity. The individual chapters on heavy metals, namely lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, chromium, and radioactive metals discuss the sources and routes of exposure, aetiology, pathophysiology and clinical manifestations, mechanisms of toxicity, toxicological effects, diagnosis, treatment, management, and ecological impacts of each of these.

The book covers the field in great detail and provides an insight into the occupational health problems, pesticide toxicity, radiation toxicity, and other contemporary issues. The book has chapters on recent advances in the field of eco-toxicology. Therefore, it is likely to enhance the quality, steadiness, and transparency of the teaching/learning process in the field of environmental toxicology. The book aims to provide basic knowledge on the eco-toxicology principles and related sciences. It provides an inclusive overview of various toxicants and their effects on the environment, plants, and animals to meet the requirement of students, researchers, and teachers working in diverse areas.

There is a fact file at the beginning of each chapter, highlighting the key points covered in the chapter which complements the main chapter and addresses the contemporary issues. The book extensively covers a range of toxicants that are of current interest and will be of growing interest for years to come. The content of each chapter is supported with flow charts, tabulations, diagrams, and illustrations. At the end of each chapter a bibliography of important works is provided.

This will be a reference for PG students and researchers in the areas of environmental and pharmacological sciences, ecology, environmental health, etc., in addition to industry and government departments dealing with environmental regulations and directives.