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Heavy metals, in general trace elements, are one of the major environmental problems. Nowadays, increasing environmental and global public health concerns related with environmental contamination by heavy metals are well known. Moreover, human exposure has risen dramatically because of an exponential increase of their use in several activities such as agricultural, industrial, technological and urban applications. They are presented in soils, water and atmosphere and they are a serious risk for the food chain.Approximately 10 million contaminated sites have been reported globally, occupying approximately 49.42 million acres of land, of which >50% is contaminated with toxic heavy metals. This situation warrants immediate attention to limit the introduction of heavy metals into soil systems and to remove the prevailing heavy metals from polluted soils. However, the majorities of existing heavy-metal-removal technologies are expensive, inefficient, or generate secondary pollutants. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop cheaper, environmentally friendly and sustainable approaches (including the development of new immobilizing agents) to manage and rehabilitate heavy-metal-contaminated soils. In the light of the aforementioned facts, this book sheds light on this global environmental issue, and proposes solutions to contamination through multi-disciplinary approaches and case studies from different parts of the world. It addresses sustainable heavy metal contamination remediation strategies using the potential applications of recent biological technology such as biotechnology, bioremediation, phytoremediation, biochar, absorbent, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology approaches. This book is of interest to researchers, teachers, environmental scientists, environmental engineers, environmentalists, and policy makers. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of environmental microbiology, biotechnology, eco-toxicology, environmental remediation, waste management, and environmental sciences as well as the general audience.

This book focuses on challenges that have arisen because of trash discharges and their potential causes and provides long-term sustainable solutions. Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense devastation, leading to numerous fatalities as well as substantial economic losses and health issues. With the rise in COVID-19 cases, the amount of biomedical waste has multiplied, exposing more people to the epidemic. For developing countries, waste management is already a problem, and the waste generated during this pandemic situation has made things worse. If improper waste management techniques are not changed, the world will face a new crisis that could be referred to as a'garbage crisis.'The increased quantity of COVID-19-associated waste (CAW) and their presence in the environment make them more vulnerable, potentially increasing the danger of food chain contamination. A few countries have already started putting emergency plans in place to address the “waste crisis.” Given the paucity of information on the mutational features and potential hosts of this newly discovered COVID-19, there is a pressing need for an effective plan to protect India's ecosystem against further contamination. To handle the current crisis and prevent the anticipated waste disaster, it is imperative to construct a more effective, automated, computerized, and well-modified waste management system during the COVID-19 period.

This book examines the issue of solid waste generation and management as a worldwide phenomenon, focusing on strategies that facilitate the disposal and utilization of waste while ensuring environmental integrity and meeting the needs of future generations. The process of urbanization, particularly in densely populated cities, has resulted in a notable increase in the production of solid waste. Unfortunately, the current management system employed by the government, as well as the available resources and technical capabilities, is insufficient in effectively addressing this issue. As a result, the accumulation of solid waste in the environment continues to rise, causing adverse impacts on both the natural surroundings and human well-being. The contamination of the air, soil, and water directly stems from this mounting waste. To confront this global challenge, determined efforts are being made to manage and diminish the volume of solid waste, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the environment and preserving the welfare of future generations. Furthermore, the book delves into various sustainable development approaches, such as Gasification and Ash Melting, Anaerobic Digestion, and Composition. Additionally, it highlights the recent advancements in these techniques by scientists, which contribute to promoting sustainable solid waste management.

A'zero waste'society and the'circular economy'trend are urgently needed. Even if achieving 100% trash recycling and a fully circular economy may not always be attainable, aiming toward this goal might result in a sustainable future. Municipal solid wastes pose a hazard to the environment because of open burning, landfills, reckless disposal, and many other factors. Waste is being thrown away in more significant quantities and is made up of several different materials. Municipal solid waste (MSW) characteristics must be carefully considered when developing, implementing, or modifying solid waste management systems. Local waste variables that vary with cultural, climatic, socioeconomic, and institutional capacities are crucial for developing efficient waste management techniques. This book provides a comprehensive overview of landfills'situation, their categories, and the types of garbage they receive. The final section of the study provides an overview of prospective waste management techniques, their restrictions, and the potential areas for further research on landfill sites. This book has the advantage that world-class experts in their respective fields have written each chapter. As a result, this book presents a balanced picture across the whole spectrum of chapters on municipal solid wastes.

This book presents an overview of the techniques available today for the removal of fluoride contamination/pollutants/species from water. Also covered are traditionally applied techniques for the removal of fluoride pollutants/species, including oxidation, coagulation-flocculation, and membrane techniques. Recently, progress has been made on the utility of various nanoparticles for the extraction of contaminants from water. Fluoride contamination is affecting water resources quality worldwide as a result of human activities, such as mining and pesticide use. Due to the high risk of fluoride exposure, specific water treatment processes are required to meet more severe water quality standards. A better understanding of currently available processes is necessary to develop economical, efficient, and effective methods for fluoride removal. Fluoride can either be coated, adsorbed using a wide range of both mineral and organic constituents or can be directly rejected by membrane processes, such as reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. Recent developments of submerged hybrid membrane systems, such as membrane bioreactors in wastewater treatment, provide alternative technologies for fluoride treatment.

This book presents the recent findings on air quality in Africa from the virtual event of the first International Conference on Air Quality in Africa (ICAQ 2022), providing a comprehensive overview on many subjects of air pollution that affect African society. It highlights research progress in the chemical and physical characterization of air pollutants, their related respiratory and non-respiratory health effects, measurements and monitoring of air pollutants using satellite remote sensing and modeling techniques, currently implemented abatement policies in different African countries, existing research and networking infrastructures, and novel tools for monitoring air quality. The advances in the development of local cost-effective air quality monitoring tools in Africa as well as the use of low-cost sensors in quantifying air quality levels are presented. This book is an enrichment for researchers, experts, and advocates of air quality, atmospheric chemistry and physics, satellite remote sensing applications, and policymakers in Africa.

Arsenic contamination in drinking water and crops is a major health issue in many countries worldwide, threatening the health of millions of people due to arsenic's toxicity and carcinogenicity. This edited volume brings together a diverse group of environmental science, sustainability and health researchers to address the challenges posed by arsenic contamination. The book sheds light on this global environmental issue and proposes solutions to aquatic contamination through multi-disciplinary sustainable approaches and case studies from different parts of the world. The chapters contained here present the status quo in different parts of the world and provide essential information on arsenic exposure risks for humans as well as possible measures for tackling arsenic poisoning. The mechanisms of arsenic uptake, translocation and distribution in plants and grains are also explained. In closing, the book reviews a variety of prospective sustainable solutions to the problem of arsenic accumulation in soil and water. The book is comprised of three sections. The first section describes the routes of exposure to environmental arsenic and its transport in soil and aquatic ecosystems. The second section explains the health risks linked to arsenic exposure in food and the environment. The third section addresses sustainable arsenic contamination mitigation strategies using the potential applications of recent biological technology such as biotechnology, bioremediation, phytoremediation, biochar, absorbent, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology approaches. The book is intended for a broad audience including researchers, scientists, and readers with diverse backgrounds.

This book covers the latest advances in sustainable waste management and focuses on its implementation to mitigate water and air pollution, recycle and reuse raw material, and refine valuable metals. In this book, readers will learn about organic waste treatment, emerging waste management techniques, and the transformation of waste into value-added products. Particular attention is given to environmental sustainability and how we can better achieve it through innovative and responsible waste management practices. Divided into 10 chapters, the book outlines a wide range of topics such as the sustainable management of food wastes through cavitation-assisted conversion, rapid bioconversion of animal meat waste into compost using black soldier fly larvae, thermoluminescence properties of combustion-synthesized nanomaterials and their applications for achieving Sustainable Development Goals, and the creative reuse of plastic waste with a case study by Ghanaian artists. Expert contributors uncover new methods and approaches to waste management that invite readers to think critically about the current practices and their impact on the environment. In addition to these discussions, the work explores the challenges of environmental health in waste management for peri-urban areas. This book provides a unique blend of theoretical perspectives and practical case studies that will enrich the understanding of sustainable waste management, and it equips readers with the knowledge needed to contribute to a more sustainable future. The book is an invaluable resource for researchers in the field of environmental science, students at all levels studying sustainability and waste management, and practitioners working in industry.

This volume uses aerosol optical depth (AOD) analysis through mapping and remote sensing techniques to derive the relationship between aerosols and hazardous precipitation events, primarily in the form of flooding. Attention is also given to pollution caused by an abundance of particulate matter in the atmosphere and its impacts on human health, which is also assessed via the study of AOD. Background is given on how AOD is retrieved, and why it is a useful tool for estimating atmospheric particle concentration, but also the challenges associated with using this approach. Different aerosol types are introduced to perform a comparative analysis of the most common associations between pollution impacts on temperature and resulting precipitation events. These analyses will help to provide an overview of the best strategies to make informed and sustainable disaster risk management practices and policies. The target audience for the work is students, researchers, and scientists working witha vision towards sustainability, public health safety and air pollution mitigation measures. It will also be a useful text for climate change policy makers, environmental engineers and stakeholders in social development sectors.

This edited book brings together a diverse group of environmental science, sustainability, and health researchers to address the challenges posed by global mass poisoning caused by heavy metals contamination of soil and plants. In recent years, contamination of the environment by heavy metals has become a major concern. Their multiple industrial, domestic, agricultural, medical, and technological applications have led to their wide distribution in the environment, raising concerns over their potential effects on human health and the environment. Owing to their toxic, non-degradable, and bio-accumulative nature, the health burden on the population has increased significantly. Heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, and uranium do not play a significant role in metabolism in the human body and are thus toxic. Their exposure in high concentration can cause acute toxicity resulting in acute health conditions, which is easy to observe and regulate, while similar is not visible for immediate action when their exposure is in trace amounts over the years. Heavy metals enter in the food chain through consumption of plant material. A high concentration of heavy metals has been found to be harmful to vegetation. As the heavy metals concentration in plants increases, it adversely affects several biological parameters and eventually renders the soil barren.The book sheds light on this global environmental issue and proposes solutions to contamination through multi-disciplinary approaches and case studies from different parts of the world. This book is a valuable resource to students, academicians, researchers, and environmental professionals who are doing field work on heavy metals contamination throughout the world.

Environmental Pollution and Public Health: Case Studies on Air, Water and Soil from an Interdisciplinary Perspective provides detailed case studies showing real-world applications of the latest technologies surrounding pollution in air, water and soil. Sections cover the environment and its nexus with public health, highlighting how the health of our environment can invariably influence our public health. Following this, atmospheric pollution is addressed, identifying various air pollutants, methods for identification, impacts on the environment and health, and mitigating technologies. Final sections are dedicated to liquid waste management, focusing on wastewater and treatment options including emerging technologies that are compared to existing options. The book finishes with case studies and information on regulatory frameworks for environmental pollution for those wanting to implement the remediation techniques covered. This is a necessary read for postgraduates, academics, professionals and researchers in environmental science, soil science, environmental health, and waste management who need the latest sustainable remediation practices and case studies and the efficacy of the associated techniques. - Offers a broad overview of the environmental and practical aspects of pollution, pollution control measures, and environmental impact assessment - Focuses on providing detailed, global case studies with an emphasis on cost, efficiency and sustainability of the techniques for treating wastewater, contaminated soils and solid waste - Provides theoretical and technical information that will assist professionals and practitioners in their goals to address current challenges stemming from environmental pollution

This book examines contamination in groundwater. Groundwater is a lifeline for most countries of the world. 90% of the Indian population rely on groundwater-based drinking water as safe mode of water supply. The terminology contamination in groundwater along with adverse effect on habitats, suggests the impact of such contamination in not only for drinking water, but also for agricultural irrigation. In addition, polluted groundwater causes adverse health hazards including social aspects that affect wider communities. Impacts on plant life also are equally threatening. This book provides readers with an insight into groundwater contamination in India. The economic loss associated with this devastating phenomenon is also studied in detail, which has a direct bearing to the country's GDP.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are a class of chemicals that are persistent, bio accumulative and toxic (PBT), which are restricted for use under the Stockholm Convention. They adversely impact the environment, human and animal health. Most of the POPs are semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and known to have a long-range transport potential and are often deposited in colder climate and found in places away from the regions they are produced. POPs are usually hydrophobic (i.e., “water-hating”) and lipophilic (i.e., “fat-loving”) chemicals, due to which they bind to solids, particularly organic matter, and fatty tissues in both marine and terrestrial environments. As a result, POPs may move up the food chain. This book focuses on determining the sources, fate, analytical techniques of detecting POPs as well as their health impacts. It further dwells on the regulatory aspects, management of POPs, best environmental practices (BEPs), Indian and international case studies, gaps in understanding the regulatory aspects. A few key recommendations for the way forward form the concluding chapters of this book.

This book presents mercury toxicity with respect to remediation and health issues. It covers sources of mercury contamination, its impact on human health, and prospective remediation by both bioremediation and phytoremediation with the application of recent advanced techniques such as genetic engineering and nanotechnology.Both anthropogenic activities and natural processes cause the release of mercury into different spheres of the environment resulting in severe adverse impacts. Increased anthropogenic discharge of mercury leads to disturbance in its natural biogeochemical cycle, which results in unenviable diseases and hazardous health effects. Mercury pollution is responsible for causing neurobehavioral, kidney, heart, gastrointestinal, liver, and other diseases. Many published works about the impact of mercury on health are also available worldwide; however, there is no complete understanding available on toxicological studies of mercury that covers the broader spectrum of findings ranging from sources of exposure to mercury toxicity to its remediation strategies.This book brings together a diverse group of environmental science, sustainability, and health researchers to address the challenges posed by global mass poisoning caused by mercury contamination. The book also proposes solutions to contamination through multi-disciplinary approaches.The book contains three sections. The first part describes the different sources and distribution of mercury in soil and plant ecosystems. The second part explains the health risks linked to mercury toxicity. The third part addresses sustainable mercury toxicity mitigation strategies and the potential applications of recent technology in providing solutions. This book is a valuable resource to students, academics, researchers, and environmental professionals working in the field of mercury contamination.

This book analyzes the latest development trend of international medical waste disposal technology, combines the current situation of medical waste management and disposal in China and the requirements of the international community for medical waste, and comprehensively and systematically summarizes the relevant contents of medical waste treatment and disposal technology and management practices. It is suitable for source classification, technology screening, engineering construction, facility operation, supervision and management, and environmental monitoring/inspection in the field of medical waste treatment and disposal, technical training and vocational skills upgrading of operators, and can also be used as a reference for teaching and scientific research by relevant personnel in universities and colleges, government departments, research institutions working in the field of medical waste disposal for environmental protection.The present version has been revised technically and linguistically by the authors in collaboration with a professional translator.

Ist frische Luft ein Mythos? In diesem Werk durchstreift der Autor die Lebensräume des Menschen und bietet Einblicke in die jeweils anzutreffenden Luftqualitäten. Aerosole steigen nicht von allein in die Luft auf. Die Partikel lösen sich aus dem festen oder flüssigen Verband. In der Luft kommen alle flugfähigen Masseteilchen miteinander in Kontakt – als ein anschauliches Beispiel dient dem Leser die Entstehung von Wassertropfen. Jede Luftschicht der Atmosphäre wirkt unterschiedlich auf die Atemluft ein und der Wind spielt dabei seine ganz eigene Rolle. Einerseits ist er Verteiler von Schadstoffen, und andererseits Garant frischer Luft am Erdboden. Die Verschmutzung der Luft ruft den Gesetzgeber auf den Plan. Wir erleben derzeit eine rasante Entwicklung von der Aufhebung der Zünfte bis zur Klimadiskussion.Große Relevanz für die Gesundheit besitzt die Schnittstelle zwischen Luft und Mensch: die Atemwege. Deren Schleimhäute stehen im Zentrum unserer Immunabwehr, und müssen einen „Etagenwechsel“ von Infektionen der oberen Atemwege in untere Lungenabschnitte verhindern. Diese und viele weitere spannende Zusammenhänge und Themen im breiten Spektrum zwischen Meteorologie und Atemwegserkrankungen werden anschaulich, gut zugänglich und anhand praktischer Beispiele abgehandelt, um sich eine sichere Plattform zur Beurteilung der Flut von Umweltnachrichten zu schaffen.

This book focuses on the study of chemical dust suppression in mine dust pollution control by means of theories, experiments, computer simulation, and case application, aiming at providing chemical dust suppression solutions for mining worksites. It has seven chapters, including the following contents: (1) introduces fundamental theories and applications of chemical dust suppression, analyzes the dust source intensity of worksites and the mechanisms of dust generation, and summarizes the dust control measures for different mining worksites. (2) According to the mechanisms of dust generation in different mining worksites, targeted dust suppressants were developed. Through optimization by monomer experiment and orthogonal experiment, the optimum formula of different types of dust suppressants was obtained, and its properties were characterized. (3) The dust suppressant field application process was introduced, and the economic benefits were analyzed. This book is expected to provide valuable references both for researchers and engineering technicians engaged in environmental engineering, safety engineering, occupational health, and mining metallurgical engineering, and it also serves as a textbook for graduate students in above disciplines.

This book details how the water quality of the Blesbokspruit River in Gauteng, South Africa was socially constructed by stakeholders and key individuals in the context of acid mine drainage (AMD) and its treatment. Social constructionism is used as the framing for this research to explain how water is intrinsically social. Findings presented here show that stakeholders are aware that the changes in the physicality of the Blesbokspruit resulted from human interventions and varied uses of the water over the years. Such knowledge, among factors such as the historical context of mining, current coal mining, flows and volumes of water, technology used and processes followed, information and communication, and vested interests influence social constructions of the water quality. What counts as the truth about water varies depending on the individual's perspective, their purpose, and their individual interests. Further, how one defines water quality influences what treatment processes arepreferred in order to improve water quality. The book explains why, for example, a treatment process meant to improve water quality gained a bad reputation by the public because of the South African government's silo approach. The book explains how these social constructions are entrenched in power relations between stakeholders regarding AMD treatment and illustrates how power was used to influence decisions to improve the water quality of the Blesbokspruit. The case presented in this book offers insights and recommendations for policymakers working in water governance, including means to influence social constructions of water quality and ways to clarify roles and responsibilities in pursuit of improved cooperative government.

This two-volume work discusses environmental health, the branch of public health concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment affecting human health, and addresses key issues at the global and local scales. The work offers an overview of the methodologies and paradigms that define this burgeoning field, ranging from ecology to epidemiology, and from pollution to environmental psychology, and addresses a wide variety of global concerns including air quality, water and sanitation, food security, chemical/physical hazards, occupational health, disease control, and injuries. The authors intend to provide up-to-date information for environmental health professionals, and to provide a reference for students and consultants working at the interface between health and environmental sectors. Volume 2 covers the technological, legislative, and logistical solutions for coping with environmental health issues. The principles of environmental legislation are explained in national and international contexts, and assessments are mapped out to craft informed governance plans for health and environmental management. Mitigation measures are introduced to control wastewater and solid waste management and air and noise pollution, and adaptation strategies for emergency preparedness and disaster recovery are discussed.

This two-volume work discusses environmental health, the branch of public health concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment affecting human health, and addresses key issues at the global and local scales. The work offers an overview of the methodologies and paradigms that define this burgeoning field, ranging from ecology to epidemiology, and from pollution to environmental psychology, and addresses a wide variety of global concerns including air quality, water and sanitation, food security, chemical/physical hazards, occupational health, disease control, and injuries. The authors intend to provide up-to-date information for environmental health professionals, and to provide a reference for students and consultants working at the interface between health and environmental sectors. Volume 1 focuses on discussing the fundamentals of physical, chemical, and biological sciences in an environmental health context, and introduces the key concepts that bridge environmental health and medical sciences to accurately inform both environmental and medical professionals. The book addresses different specializations in medical science that account for environmental health issues, and aims to reduce the knowledge gap among professionals on public health topics such as pollution impacts, occupational hazards, radiation exposure, natural disasters, and climate change.

This book reviews advanced techniques for the determination of pesticide residues, with focus on extraction, detectors and cleaning protocols. Chapters also discuss pesticide occurrence, toxicity and remediation.

This book presents recent reviews on the occurrence, analysis, toxicity and remediation of pesticides in biological systems such as fish, chickens, water, soil and food.

This book reviews recent research advances in sustainable agriculture, with focus on crop production, biodiversity and biofuels in Africa and Asia.

A major issue that has remained prevalent in today's modern world has been the presence of chemicals within water sources that the public uses for drinking. The associated health risks that accompany these contaminants are unknown but have sparked serious concern and emotive arguments among the global community. Empirical research is a necessity to further understand these contaminants and the effects they have on the environment. Effects of Emerging Chemical Contaminants on Water Resources and Environmental Health is a pivotal reference source that provides vital research on current issues regarding the occurrence, toxicology, and abatement of emerging contaminants in water sources. While highlighting topics such as remediation techniques, pollution minimization, and technological developments, this publication explores sample preparation and detection of these chemical contaminants as well as policy and legislative issues related to public health. This book is ideally designed for environmental engineers, biologists, health scientists, researchers, students, and professors seeking further research on the latest developments in the detection of water contaminants.

This volume provides a unique collection of contributions addressing both the ‘too much'and ‘too little'sides of the nitrogen story. Building on analyses started at the 6th International Nitrogen Conference, Kampala, the book explores the idea of ‘just enough nitrogen': sufficient for sustainable food production, but not so much as to lead to unsustainable pollution and climate problems. The range of nitrogen threats examined, solutions evaluated and science-policy analyses presented here has provided the foundation to agree the ‘Kampala Statement-for-Action on Nitrogen in Africa and Globally,'as reported in this volume. Humanity today faces unprecedented challenges: How to feed a growing population? How to reduce air pollution, water pollution and climate change? How to handle regional differences in an era of increasing globalization? These questions are at the heart of this edited volume which examines the multi-dimensional nature of the global nitrogen challenge.While humans have massively altered the nitrogen cycle, the consequences have become polarized. Some regions have too much nitrogen, associated with pollution and wasteful use of a valuable resource, while other regions have too little nitrogen, leading to constraints on food production and depletion of soil nutrient stocks. The volume provides a unique collection of contributions addressing both the ‘too much'and ‘too little'sides of the nitrogen story. Building on analyses started at the 6th International Nitrogen Conference, Kampala, the book explores the idea of ‘just enough nitrogen': sufficient for sustainable food production, but not so much as to lead to unsustainable pollution and climate problems. The range of nitrogen threats examined, solutions evaluated and science-policy analyses presented here has provided the foundation to agree the ‘Kampala Statement-for-Action on Nitrogen in Africa and Globally,'as reported in this volume. Together, the contributions in this book are now informing actions by the International Nitrogen Initiative (INI) in working with the United Nations Environment Programme and others to establish the International Nitrogen Management System (INMS). A key outcome has been to catalyse development of the first Resolution on Sustainable Nitrogen Management, as adopted by the fourth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA/EA.4/Res.14).The work is written for researchers and policy makers and all those interested in seeing how sustainable nitrogen management can contribute to meeting many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Planetary Health - the idea that human health and the health of the environment are inextricably linked - encourages the preservation and sustainability of natural systems for the benefit of human health. Drawing from disciplines such as public health, environmental science, evolutionary anthropology, welfare economics, geography, policy and organizational theory, it addresses the challenges of the modern world, where human health and well-being is threatened by increasing pollution and climate change. A comprehensive publication covering key concepts in this emerging field, Planetary Health reviews ideas and approaches to the subject such as natural capital, ecological resilience, evolutionary biology, One Earth and transhumanism. It also sets out through case study chapters the main links between human health and environmental change, covering: - Climate change, land use and waterborne infectious diseases. - Sanitation, clean energy and fertilizer use. - Trees, well-being and urban greening. - Livestock, antibiotics and greenhouse gas emissions. Providing an extensive overview of key theories and literature for academics and practitioners who are new to the field, this engaging and informative read also offers an important resource for students of a diverse range of subjects, including environmental sciences, animal sciences, geography and health.

This book will be a guiding path to understand the photocatalytic process and mechanism for the deterioration of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants and pathogens from wastewater. Environmental remediation is of crucial importance in the context of human sustainability in the present and future times. The unplanned anthropogenic activities and revolutionary industrialization end up in environmental contamination with noxious organic-inorganic and biogenic pollutants. The photocatalytic disinfection and detoxification is the only solution to preserve and restore the ecological balance. The main emphasis is to explore and enhance the photocatalytic potentials of solar active-materials.

This edited volume brings together a diverse group of environmental science, sustainability and health researchers to address the challenges posed by global mass poisoning caused by arsenic water contamination. The book sheds light on this global environmental issue, and proposes solutions to aquatic contamination through a multi-disciplinary lens and case studies from Bangladesh and India. The book may serve as a reference to environment and sustainability researchers, students and policy makers.Part one of the book describes the issue of arsenic contamination in ground water and river basins, including its source and distribution in specific locations in India. Part two explains the routes of exposure to environmental arsenic, its transport in aquatic ecosystems, and the health risks linked to arsenic exposure in food and the environment. Part three addresses sustainable arsenic contamination mitigation strategies and policies, the socioeconomic, demographic, cultural and psychological aspects of arsenic contamination, and the potential applications of GIS and remote sensing in providing solutions. Part four concludes by discussing the role of local and regional institutions in water resources management for a variety of issues including but not limited to arsenic contamination, and presents a case study in the Indus river basin in Pakistan to propose future contamination mitigation strategies.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of the theoretical developments and technological breakthroughs that have deepened our understanding of environmental pollution and human health, while also promoting a comprehensive strategy to address these problems. The respective chapters highlight groundbreaking concepts fueling the development of environmental chemistry and toxicology; revolutionary analytical and computational approaches providing novel insights into environmental health; and nature-inspired, innovative engineering solutions for tackling complex hazardous exposures. The book also features a forward-looking perspective on emerging environmental issues that call for new research and regulatory paradigms, laying the groundwork for future advances in the broad field of environmental chemistry and toxicology. Written by respected authorities in the field, A New Paradigm for Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology - From Concepts to Insights will offer an invaluable reference guide for concerned researchers and professional practitioners for years to come.

This volume highlights important links existing between soils and human health which up to now are not fully realized by the public. Soil materials may have deleterious, beneficial or no impacts on human health; therefore, understanding the complex relationships between diverse soil materials and human health will encourage creative cooperation between soil and environmental sciences and medicine. The topics covered in this book will be of immense value to a wide range of readers, including soil scientists, medical scientists and practitioners, nursing scientists and staff, toxicologists, ecologists, agronomists, geologists, geochemists, public health professionals, planners and several others.

This volume describes phase 3 of the AiREAS multidisciplinary cocreation effort to produce a Healthy City. Phase 1 referred to making visible the invisible from an air quality and human exposure perspective. Phase 2 studies air quality related to health and Phase 3 looks at air quality, health and lifestyle from the perspective of persuasion to innovative change.The three books together describe the coming about and first results of the AiREAS'healthy city'cooperative in the city of Eindhoven and Province of North Brabant in the Netherlands. AiREAS is an initiative focused on the multidisciplinary co-creation of healthy cities using the core human value of human health and air quality as guiding principle for profound regional innovation.

Water is at the core of all life on Earth and exists as one of the main components of the human body. Because water is essential to life, addressing water pollution and sustainability issues is of great concern to environmentalists and public health specialists alike. Impact of Water Pollution on Human Health and Environmental Sustainability highlights several important water-related issues and explores a number of potential solutions to the problem of water sustainability. Focusing on research-based perspectives on water availability, industrial and agricultural pollution, water contamination, and their impacts on the human population as well as the environment, this crucial publication is a necessary addition to academic and government libraries serving graduate-level students, environmental scientists, public health workers, policy makers, and legislators seeking the latest information on sustainable and contaminant-free water resources.

The book presents the latest advances in research into health effects of air pollution, with heavy motor vehicle traffic or cigarette smoke as the exemplar of pollution. The airways are the first-line defense system against pollution. The book focuses on respiratory ailments underlain by inflammation, increased susceptibility to infection, particularly acquired during harsh environmental conditions and exposures to particulate matter or pathogens. The importance of astute analysis of lung function for early diagnosis of disorders is underscored. A knowledge deficit concerning the aerosolized drug delivery through the airways also is addressed. Recent developments and viewpoints in the field of environmental health hazards as well as methodological advances in their assessment are provided. The book will be of interest to pulmonologists, healthcare providers, researchers and clinicians engaged in environment-related respiratory diseases, but also to policy makers concerned with clean ambient air quality.

This book provides comprehensive research findings related to the environmental monitoring of radiation, levels of radioactive nuclides in various environments and dose estimation in residents after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident caused severe environmental contamination with radioactive nuclides. At the beginning of the book, a technical review written by a leading researcher of nuclear reactor technology explains what happened at the power plant. The review is followed by a commentary from a former member of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, providing the reader with easily understandable information about the concept of radiation dosage. In the main part of the book, a series of scientific reports presents valuable data on the radiation surveys of the environment, environmental radioactivity, transfer models and parameters of radioactive nuclides and dose assessment among residents. These reports present a wide range of findings from the research carried out in a variety of activities by large governmental organizations as well as by small private groups and individuals. The reader thus will find a large collection of valuable and interesting data related to the environmental contamination by radioactive nuclides after the Fukushima accident. Although earlier reports on this issue have been made public, this book is the only publication to fully depict the actual situation by providing comprehensive data obtained by diverse organizations and individuals.

Das Buch gibt einen an den neuesten Erkenntnissen orientierten interdisziplinären Überblick über Luftschadstoffe in Innenräumen. Für die wichtigsten Schadstoffe werden die typischen Quellen und deren Emissionsverhalten beschrieben, toxikologische Informationen und Grundsätze für die Bewertung der Schadstoffe dargelegt und Hinweise zur Sanierung gegeben. Ein eigenes Kapitel ist den Methoden zur Erkundung der Schadstoffbelastung in Gebäuden gewidmet. Als gut lesbarer Leitfaden dient das Buch allen natur- und ingenieurwissenschaftlichen Fachrichtungen, Medizinern und Baupraktikern, die mit Fragen der Untersuchung, Bewertung und Beseitigung von Schadstoffbelastungen in Innenräumen zu tun haben.

Bereits heute fallen in Deutschland jährlich ca. 1,5 Mio. Tonnen Elektroschrott an, die zum größten Teil auf Deponien abgelagert werden. Die damit für Mensch und Umwelt verbundenen Gefahren bleiben oft unbeachtet. Insbesondere zum Thema Schadstoffe herrschen zum Teil beachtliche Wissensdefizite. In diesem Buch wird zunächst ein Überblick über die große Anzahl der in der Elektrotechnik verwendeten Stoffe gegeben. Eine umfangreiche tabellarische Übersicht ordnet die Werkstoffe dabei den entsprechenden Bauteilen zu. Die beiliegenden Datenblätter enthalten ausführliche Informationen über die wichtigsten Problemstoffe unter Berücksichtigung von Emissionsquellen, toxikologischen Daten, Auswirkungen auf Mensch und Umwelt sowie Entsorgungs- und Verwertungsmöglichkeiten.

In recent years, several new concepts have emerged in the field of ozone science, creating a need for an in-depth publication covering the various ozone related issues. This book fills that void in the literature by providing a unique collection of our understanding of the “good” and “bad” of ozone gas. The one-of-a-kind compilation of chapters written by leading experts in the field from all over the world will serve world scientists, teachers, students, and regulators as a single reference to a global perspective on: What are the various sources for ozone? What is happening to the good ozone layer? How does the depletion of good ozone affect human health and the environment? What is being done about the depletion of good ozone? What causes bad ozone? How does bad ozone affect human health and the environment? There is an enormous amount of information coming out of the scientific and political arenas concerning ozone. This book’s objective is to try and give the ‘overall picture’ to the readers on different topics in the field of ozone.

Radionuclides produced by past nuclear weapon test explosions comprise the largest source of anthropogenic radioactivity released into the earth's atmosphere to date. This volume presents data and models about the fate of the released radionuclides and their possible effects on human health. It is divided into the following three parts: - Source Term Studies;- Dose Reconstruction;- Ecological and Health Effects,and comprises both Western and formerly secret Soviet research studies, illuminates past and current research.

Vor einigen Jahren wurde an die VDI-Kommission Reinhaltung der Luft der Wunsch herangetragen, sie möge sich mit dem Problem der Luftqualität in großen Städten befassen und dabei auch Planungs­ aspekte berücksichtigen. Damals gab es nur wenige Richtlinien, Verordnungen und Vorschriften, die speziell auf die urbane Umwelt abgestimmt waren. Im Vorfeld der Richtlinienarbeit wurden daher von der Komission die beiden Kolloquien'Reinhaltung der Luft in großen Städten'am 8. -10. 12. 1982 in Berlin und - zusammen mit der VDI-Kommission Lärmminderung -'Umweltschutz in großen Städten'am 8. -10. 10. 1986 in München veranstaltet. Die Vorträge und Diskussionen auf diesen Kolloquien haben gezeigt, daß Bedarf sowohl für ein umfassendes Handbuch zu Fragen des Stadtklimas und der meteorologischen Probleme der Luftreinhaltung als auch für ein praxisnahes Handbuch für Stadt-, Regional-oder Landespla­ ner, in dem der Stand dieses Wissens auf klimatologischem und meteorologischem Gebiet übersichtlich dargestellt ist und das vor allem schnelle Entscheidungen ermöglicht, besteht. Zur Schließung dieser Lücken wurde im Juni 1984 der VDI-Aus­ schuß'Stadtklima und Luftreinhaltung'gegründet. Es wurde beschlossen, zwei getrennte Handbücher zu bearbeiten und mit den wissenschaftlichen Grundlagen zu beginnen. Die Mitarbeiter des Ausschusses haben die einzelnen Beiträge in eigener Verantwor­ tung, jedoch mit dem Ratschlag und der Hilfe des Ausschusses, verfaßt. Herr Prof. Dr. K. Höschele sah abschließend alle Beiträge kritisch durch und gab den Autoren wertvolle Anregungen für Er­ gänzungen. Den'Redakteuren'bleibt es, allen herzlich für ihre Beiträge und Mitarbeit zu danken.

Umweltschutz als ein Unternehmensziel gewinnt in Krankenhäusern immer mehr an Bedeutung. Steigende Entsorgungskosten, verschärfte Gesetzgebung, aber auch ein Umdenken bewegen die Krankenhäuser, neue Wege zu gehen. Die Bestellung von Umweltbeauftragten ist eine Möglichkeit zur Lösung der vielfältigen Umweltaufgaben. Im vorliegenden Band wird der rechtliche Hintergrund für die Tätigkeit der Umweltbeauftragten im Krankenhaus dargestellt. Abfall-, Gewässerschutz-, Immissionsschutz-, Gefahrgut-, Strahlenschutz- und Sicherheitsbeauftragte berichten von ihrer täglichen Arbeit. Dabei geht es auch um Fragen der Einbindung der Umweltbeauftragten in den Krankenhausbetrieb und ihre Zuständigkeiten. Es werden unterschiedliche Organisationsstrukturen vorgestellt.

'This book is about biology and human ecology as they relate to climate change. Let's take it as read that climate change is one of the most urgent and fascinating science-related issues of our time and that you are interested in the subject: for if you were not you would not be reading this now. Indeed, there are many books on climate change but nearly all, other than the voluminous Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, tend to focus on a specialist aspect of climate, be it weather, palaeoclimatology, modelling and so forth. Even books relating to biological dimensions of climate change tend to be specialist, with a focus that may relate to agriculture, health or palaeoecology. These are, by and large, excellent value provided that they cover the specialist ground which readers seek. However, the biology of climate change is so broad that the average life-sciences student, or specialist seeking a broader context in which to view their own field, has difficulty in finding a wide-ranging review of the biology and human ecology of climate change. Non-bioscience specialists with an interest in climate change (geologists, geographers, atmospheric chemists, etc.) face a similar problem'--

This volume focuses on the human exposures and medical effects studies in the SemipaiatinskJ Altai region of Siberia that were a consequence of the radioactive fallout from nuclear test explosions that took place at the Semipalatinsk Test Site of the former Soviet Union. It contains a detailed account of a NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) devoted to the subject, and a selection of the papers presented. The title of the ARW was'Long-term Consequences of Nuclear Tests for the Environment and Population Health (SemipaiatinskJAltai Case Studies)'. The estimated exposures to large numbers of people in the Altai lie in an important dose rate and dose domain. Hence the research reported herein provides new and unique information on the effects of radiation on humans. Also emphasized at the ARW were studies involving fallout from the Pacific Island tests of the U. S. A.. There have been over 2300 nuclear weapon test explosions to date. More than 500 took place in the atmosphere and outer space; the remainder were underground. The atmospheric tests comprise the largest source of anthropogenic radioactivity released into the earth's atmosphere to date. The vast majority, in number and yield, were carried out by the former Soviet Union (FSU) and the United States. Each superpower maintained two primary test sites, one continental primarily for small yield tests, and the other more remote for larger yield tests. For the U. S. A.

This volume provides an overview of the occurrence and fate of emerging contaminants, discusses advanced chemical analysis methods, toxicological and ecotoxicological effects as well as human exposure. One focus is on pharmaceuticals, in particular antibiotics, and the problems associated with their increased use in hospitals. Other covered emerging contaminants occurring e.g. in food, water, air or soil include brominated flame retardants, polar pesticides, phthalates, phosphate esters, perfluorinated compounds, personal care products, musk fragrances, disinfection byproducts, illicit drugs, and nanomaterials. The chapters written by experts are a valuable source of information for a broad audience, such as analytical chemists, environmental chemists and engineers, toxicologists, ecotoxicologists and epidemiologists working already in this field as well as newcomers.

This series is dedicated to serving the growing community of scholars and practitioners concerned with the principles and applications of environmental management. Each volume is a thorough treatment of a specific topic of importance for proper management practices. A fundamental objective of these books is to help the reader discern and implement man's stewardship of our environment and the world's renewable resources. For we must strive to understand the relation­ ship between man and nature, act to bring harmony to it, and nurture an environment that is both stable and productive. These objectives have often eluded us because the pursuit of other individual and societal goals has diverted us from a course of living in balance with the environment. At times, therefore, the environmental manager may have to exert restrictive control, which is usually best applied to man, not nature. Attempts to alter or harness nature have often failed or backfired, as exemplified by the results of imprudent use of herbicides, fertilizers, water, and other agents. Each book in this series will shed light on the fundamental and applied aspects of environmental management. It is hoped that each will help solve a practical and serious environmental problem.

Residential Exposure Assessment: A Source Book is the result of a multiyear effort known as the Residential Exposure Assessment Project (REAP) which was initiated by the Society for Risk Analysis and the International Society of Exposure Analysis. This textbook is the primary product of the REAP and it contains contributions from over 30 professionals from a variety of disciplines such as chemistry, biology, physics, engi­ neering, industrial hygiene, toxicology, pharmacology, and environmental law, reflecting the diverse knowledge and resources necessary to assess and manage potential exposures occurring in and around the home. Expert working groups were organized for each of the 13 chapters to address such issues as U. S. legislation relevant to products used in and around the residence, methods for measuring and modeling exposures across multiple pathways and routes, and distributional data available for key residential exposure factors. This volume is a compendium of information about predictive methods and tools, monitoring methods, data sources, and key variables that characterize exposures in the residential setting. It presents approaches for doing exposure assessments in and around all types of residences. The purpose of the Source Book is to provide a resource for use in educational programs and for'practitioners'of residential exposure assessment. Accordingly, this book is intended for risk assessors, exposure assessors, students, initi­ ates new to the concept of risk assessment, industrial hygienists assessing health hazards in the home, engineers, and monitoring specialists.

The Symposium on Radionuclides in the Food Chain, sponsored by the Interna­ tional Life Sciences Institute in association with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, was intended to bring together policymakers and other representatives of the food industry with radiation experts involved in measuring and assessing radioactivity in foodstuffs. The symposium was made timely by the problems arising from the nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl, in the USSR, which brought out the lack of international agreement on guidance for responding to such radionuclide contamination of food and foodstuffs. The presentations by the radiation experts covered the sources of radionu­ clides-natural radioactivity, fallout from nuclear weapons tests, routine releases from nuclear facilities, and various nuclear accidents. The speakers represented a broad distribution in both scientific disciplines and international geographic origin. They summarized the available data on measurements and indicated the current procedures for assessing radiation exposure. It was hoped that the food industry representatives would bring out the problems posed to industry and governments by the presence of radioactivity in food.

ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE III deals with the detection and evaluation of environmental pollutants as well as with their relevance to human health. Environmental components are important determinants of the health status of groups at risk and of the general population. The main objective is the early detection and identification of hazardous substances by physical, chemical and biological methods, risk assessment andprotection of human health. Faced with these problems the volume gives an overview on the mulifaceted aspects of environmental hygiene and medicine. Contributions include basic and innovative approaches in the fields of - Experimental cell biology - Cytotoxicity testing - Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity studies - Inhalation toxicity - Human exposure monitoring - Epidemiology - Important harzardous agents - Environmental control, prevention and legislation.

Heavy metals can be emitted into environment by both natural and anthropogenic sources, mainly mining and industrial activity. Human exposure occurs through all environmental media. Infants are more susceptible to the adverse effects of exposure. Increasing attention is now being paid to the mental development of children exposed to heavy metals. The purpose of this book is to evaluate the existing knowledge on intellectual impairment in children exposed to heavy metals in their living environment and to identify the research needs in order to obtain a clearer picture of the situation in countries and regions at risk, in which the economy is closely related to metallurgy and heavy metals emission, and to recommend a strategy for human protection. In greater detail the main objectives could be formulated as follows: to review the principal sources of single, and complex mixtures of, heavy metal pollutants in the environment; to identify suitable methodology for chemical analyses in the environment and in humans; to evaluate the existing methods for measuring mental impairment, including their reliability and validity; to recommend a standard testing protocol to be used in future research; to assess the future role of environmental heavy metal pollution in countries and regions at risk and its effects on children's neurological development; to recommend a prevention strategy for protecting children's health and development.

This book is the second edited compilation of selected, refereed papers submitted to ERTEP 2007. The book is organized into 10 chapters along four of the key themes that were discussed at the conference: Environmental Health Management; Mining and Environment; Environmental Monitoring and Policy Development; and Susta- ability and Social Responsibility. It is hoped that the contents of the book will p- vide an insight into some of the environmental and health management challenges confronting the developing world and the steps being taken to address them. The?rst three chapters under the Environmental Health and Management theme discusses issues related to food security and related environmental distress in sub- Saharan Africa. Chapter 1 argues that pervasive poverty and low agricultural p- ductivity are important factors in understanding food insecurity in the region, and broader global processes are examined. This chapter maintains that while poverty undermines individual and household access to suf?cient food through market p- chase, land inequalities, corruption, structural adjustment programs, civil con?ict, HIV/AIDS and the role of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Agric- ture are decisive. The authors argue that achieving food security in sub-Saharan Africa requires policies and actions that are integrated with efforts to reduce poverty, enhance livelihoods and incomes and increase agricultural output, while also paying attention to underlying structural factors that bear on agriculture in the region.