Our Global Environment: A Health Perspective

by Nadakavukaren, Anne

• ISBN13: 9781577660989
• ISBN10: 1577660986
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-05-01
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc

Summary

This thoroughly revised edition builds on the successful base of the first three editions, providing a broad, up-to-date survey of the major environmental issues facing the world today.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Part I People, Progress, and Nature Is Conflict Inevitable?	1	(182)
Introduction to Ecological Principles	7	(38)
Ecosystems	8	(1)
Biotic Community	8	(5)
Ecological Dominants	13	(1)
Biomes	14	(4)
Ecological Niches	18	(1)
Limiting Factors	19	(4)
Limits of Tolerance	23	(1)
Energy Flow Through the Biosphere	24	(6)
Biogeochemical Cycling	30	(4)
Change in Ecosystems	34	(10)
References	44	(1)
Population Dynamics	45	(38)
Population Attributes	45	(1)
Limits to Growth	46	(1)
Population Growth Forms	46	(3)
Homeostatic Controls	49	(1)
Human Population Growth	49	(13)
Population Explosion	62	(9)
Urbanization	71	(4)
Population Projections	75	(5)
References	80	(3)
Population Control	83	(28)
Early Attempts at Family Limitation	83	(2)
Modern Family Planning Movement	85	(3)
Birth Control---Its Health Impact	88	(2)
Contraceptive Safety	90	(8)
Family Planning in the Third World	98	(9)
Population Policy: Moving Beyond Birth Control	107	(1)
References	108	(3)
The People-Food Predicament	111	(32)
Factors Influencing Food Demand	113	(1)
Extent of Hunger	114	(1)
Causes of Hunger	115	(2)
Health Impact of Hunger	117	(8)
Prospects for Reducing World Hunger	125	(16)
References	141	(2)
Impacts of Growth on Ecosystems	143	(40)
Degradation of Land Resources	144	(35)
References	179	(4)
Part II Our Toxic Environment Does Everything Cause Cancer?	183	(224)
Environmental Disease	187	(38)
Mutation	189	(7)
Birth Defects	196	(8)
Cancer	204	(18)
References	222	(3)
Toxic Substances	225	(44)
Testing for Toxicity	226	(3)
Assessing Health Risk	229	(2)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)	231	(7)
Dioxin (TCDD)	238	(4)
Asbestos	242	(7)
Lead	249	(11)
Mercury	260	(7)
References	267	(2)
Pests and Pesticides	269	(48)
What Is a Pest?	269	(1)
Problems Caused by Pests	270	(14)
Pest Control	284	(9)
Environmental Impact of Pesticide Use	293	(7)
Hazards to Human Health	300	(7)
Alternatives to Chemical Pest Control	307	(7)
References	314	(3)
Food Quality	317	(38)
Food Contaminants	319	(6)
Food Additives	325	(4)
Foodborne Disease	329	(18)
Preventing Foodborne Disease	347	(5)
References	352	(3)
Radiation	355	(52)
Ionizing Radiation	357	(7)
Health Impacts of Ionizing Radiation	364	(32)
Ultraviolet Radiation	396	(5)
Microwaves	401	(1)
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)	402	(1)
References	403	(4)
Part III Environmental Degradation How We Foul Our Own Nest	407	(276)
The Atmosphere	411	(36)
Composition of the Atmosphere	412	(5)
Human Impact on the Earth-Atmosphere System	417	(1)
Depletion of the Ozone Layer	417	(7)
Rising Levels of Atmospheric CO2 ---Moving Toward a Warmer World?	424	(5)
Impacts of Global Warming	429	(7)
The Greenhouse Policy Debate	436	(8)
References	444	(3)
Air Pollution	447	(60)
Sources of Air Pollution	448	(6)
Impact of Air Pollution on Human Health	454	(6)
Pollution Control Efforts---The Clean Air Act	460	(15)
Global Air Quality Trends	475	(3)
Acid Deposition	478	(9)
Indoor Air Pollution	487	(17)
References	504	(3)
Noise Pollution	507	(22)
Sources of Noise	507	(2)
Noise As a Nuisance	509	(2)
Nature of Sound	511	(1)
Noise and Hearing Loss	512	(7)
Other Effects of Noise	519	(4)
Noise Control Efforts	523	(4)
References	527	(2)
Water Resources	529	(32)
Hydrologic Cycle	529	(2)
Water Quantity and Health	531	(1)
Water Supply: Our Next Crisis?	532	(6)
Groundwater	538	(12)
Water Management: Increasing Supply versus Reducing Demand	550	(8)
References	558	(3)
Water Pollution	561	(62)
Controlling Water Pollution: The Clean Water Act	562	(2)
Sources of Water Pollution	564	(13)
Municipal Sewage Treatment	577	(10)
New Approaches to Wastewater Treatment	587	(5)
Septic Systems	592	(3)
Industrial Discharges	595	(4)
Water Pollution and Health	599	(20)
Looking Ahead	619	(1)
References	620	(3)
Solid and Hazardous Wastes	623	(60)
Waste Disposal---A Brief History	623	(2)
Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW)	625	(2)
Current Waste Disposal Alternatives	627	(23)
Hazardous Wastes	650	(17)
Hazardous Waste Management Legislation: RCRA	667	(15)
References	682	(1)
Appendix A Environmental Agencies of the Federal Government	683	(4)
Appendix B Environmental Organizations	687	(4)
Index	691