Risks of Hazardous Wastes

Hazardous waste in the environment is one of the most difficult challenges facing our society. The purpose of this book is to provide a background of the many aspects of hazardous waste, from its sources to its consequences, focusing on the risks posed to human health and the environment. It explains the legislation and regulations surrounding hazardous waste; however, the scope of the book is much broader, discussing agents that are released into the environment that might not be classified as hazardous waste under the regulatory system, but nonetheless pose substantial hazards to human health and the environment. It provides a background of some of the major generators of hazardous wastes, explains the pathways by which humans and wildlife are exposed, and includes discussion of the adverse health effects linked to these pollutants. It provides numerous case studies of hazardous waste mismanagement that have led to disastrous consequences, and highlights the deficiencies in science and regulation that have allowed the public to be subjected to myriad potentially hazardous agents. Finally, it provides a discussion of measures that will need to be taken to control society’s hazardous waste problem. This book was designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences, including students, professionals, and general readers interested in the topic.

Provides information about sources of and health risks posed by hazardous wasteExplains the legislation and regulations surrounding hazardous wasteIncludes numerous case studies of mismanagement, highlights deficiencies in science and regulation and discusses measures to tackle society’s hazardous waste problems

Chapter 1: Hazardous Waste: How We Got Into This Mess

Chapter 2: The Most Significant Polluters In The United States

Chapter 3: Toxicity, Exposure, Dose, And Body Burden And The Law

Chapter 4: Coal Fire Power Plants

Chapter 5: Paper Industry

Chapter 6: Petroleum Industry

Chapter 7: Wood Treatment Industry

Chapter 8: Mining Industry

Chapter 9: Chemical Industry

Chapter 10: TransportationChapter 11: Steel Foundries

Chapter 12: Landfills-Unlined And Leaking

Chapter 13: Agriculture Worker Pesticide Exposure

Chapter 14: Pesticides In Drinking Water

Chapter 15: Nuclear Waste

Chapter 16: PCBs Monsanto

Chapter 17: Emerging Contaminants