Understanding Environmental Pollution

Описание

C:/ITOOLS/WMS/CUP/673029/WORKINGFOLDER/HLY/9780521518666PRF.3D x [9–11] 15.12.2009 6:00PM
* Chapter 3 introduces toxicity and factors affecting whether a chemical will have adverse
effects. It presents the paradoxes with which we must grapple as we think about how or
even, in some cases, whether to lower the emissions of a pollutant.
* Chapter 4 examines chemical risk assessment. Again, the issue of paradoxes is raised as
society systematically, but often inadequately works to understand and describe the risk
of particular chemicals and the more difficult problems of the risks associated with
mixtures of chemicals.
Basics of pollution issues: Chapters 5 through 12 overview specific pollution issues,
especially those starting with emissions into air or water, but in which the pollutants often
move on to other environmental media.
* Chapter 5 delves into the principal pollutants in ambient air, the concerns they raise, their
sources, and our efforts to reduce emissions. Movements across the globe of massive
amounts of pollutants such as dust and smoke are reviewed. So are less prevalent air
pollutants.
* Chapters 6, 7, and 8 examine global change issues that originate with air pollutants. In
Chapter 6, acid deposition and our success in curbing it is explained. As are some
continuing problems, which include increasing levels of acid deposition in Asia.
Chapter 7 addresses global warming. Global warming, of necessity, receives greater
emphasis in this edition although the many relevant issues are difficult to cover in one
chapter. The text overviews not just government efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions, but also those of businesses, cities, and states. Experience gained with the Kyoto
Protocol is noted, while simultaneously looking forward to a more robust treaty. In
Chapter 8, the Montreal Protocol is lauded for its success in eliminating major pollutants
involved in stratospheric ozone depletion; remaining problems are also noted.
* Chapters 9 and 10 examine water pollution and drinking-water pollution, respectively.
Chapter 9 emphasizes nonpoint source pollution, and the difficulties in reducing such
emissions as compared to point sources. The nitrogen glut is examined along with dead
zones, now a problem of global dimensions. Chapter 10 inspects drinking-water contaminants and drinking-water purification and the conundrums raised by disinfecting
water. Problems relating to pathogenic organisms in drinking water are emphasized,
especially in less-developed countries. The tragedy of arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh is
also examined.
* Chapters 11 and 12 summarize just two of the many wastes that society produces,
municipal solid waste and hazardous waste, respectively. Chapter 11 looks at the enormous quantities of solid waste that we produce, and the increasing difficulties that it poses
to societies working to deal with it, especially those of less-developed countries. The
increasingly prominent role of plastics as a damaging waste is discussed. Chapter 12
summarizes hazardous waste, its sources and treatment, and hazardous waste sites. It
shows too how non-hazardous wastes such as discarded computers can, improperly dealt
with, become hazardous.
Specific pollutants and pollution issues: Chapters 13–17
x Preface

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