Modern Poisons : A Brief Introduction to Contemporary Toxicology
Kolok, Alan2016
Books, Manuscripts
This accessible book explains basic principles in plain language while illuminating the most important issues in contemporary toxicology. Alan Kolok begins by exploring age-old precepts of the field such as the dose-response relationship and the concept, first introduced by Ambroise Pare in the sixteenth century. Traditional toxicology textbooks tend to be doorstops: tomes filled with important but seemingly abstract chemistry and biology. Meanwhile, magazine and journal articles introduce students to timely topics such as BPA and endocrine disruption or the carcinogenic effects of pesticides, but don't provide the fundamentals needed to understand the science of toxicity. Written by a longtime professor of toxicology, Modern Poisons bridges this gap. This accessible book explains basic principles in plain language while illuminating the most important issues in contemporary toxicology. Kolok begins by exploring age-old precepts of the field such as the dose-response relationship and the concept, first introduced by Ambroise Pare in the sixteenth century, that a chemical's particular action depends on its inherent chemical nature. The author goes on to show exactly how chemicals enter the body and elicit their toxic effect, as well as the body's methods of defense. With the fundamentals established, Kolok digs into advances in toxicology, tracing the field's development from World War II to the present day. The book examines both technical discoveries and their impacts on public policy. Highlights include studies of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in toiletries and prescriptions, the emerging science on prions, and our growing understanding of epigenetics. Readers learn not only how toxic exposure affects people and wildlife, but about the long-term social and environmental consequences of our chemicals. Whether studying toxicology itself, public health, or environmental science, readers will develop a core understanding of-and curiosity about-this fast-changing field.
Main title:
Author:
Kolok, Alan, author
Imprint:
Washington, D.C. : IslandPress, 2016.
Collation:
224 pages ; 23 cm.
Contents:
Acknowledgments Preface Chapter 1. Dose Makes the Poison Chapter 2. Nature of a Chemical Chapter 3. The Human Animal Chapter 4. Chemical Journeys: Absorption Chapter 5. Bodily Defense Chapter 6. Wider Journeys: Pollution Chapter 7. Travelling Particles Chapter 8. Toxins, Poisons, and Venoms Chapter 9. Metals: Gift and Curse Chapter 10. Combustion Chapter 11. Drugs and the Toxicology of Addiction Chapter 12. 70,000 Years of Pesticides Chapter 13. Origins of Regulation Chapter 14. Legislating for Health Chapter 15. POPS and Silent Spring Chapter 16. Toxic Toiletries Chapter 17. Determining Sex: Chemicals and Reproduction Chapter 18. The Earliest Exposure: Transgenerational Toxicology Chapter 19. Natural Toxins Revisited Chapter 20. Chemical Resistance Afterword. Toxicology and Beyond References
ISBN:
9781610913829
Dewey class:
571.95
Language:
English
Subject:
BRN:
2069323
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