Overview

One of the most difficult decisions facing those responsible for the enforcement of environmental regulations and laws is how much clean-up is necessary. A decision to do too little may cause irreversible damage to the environment, while a decision to do more than is necessary may waste resources better spent elsewhere. Using an approach similar to clinical biochemistry in human medicine, this book is a critical examination of the use of biomarkers (the physiological or biochemical changes caused by chemicals) to indicate the state of health of wildlife in the environment. Because of the increasing concern over the effects of toxic chemicals on the biosphere, the choice of reliable indicators to measure the effect of them in animals is therefore absolutely crucial. David Peakall has been involved in researching biomarkers for many years and has been active in a number of international advisory bodies dealing with pollution problems. His book looks at the range of biomarkers, their usefulness in monitoring pollution and the prediction of the biotoxic effects of the release of toxic chemicals. He concludes that basing decisions on the physiological function of organisms, using the biomarkers and the concept of ""exclusion zones"", is a more rational and successful approach to pollution problems compared with the classical toxicological approach of setting pollution ""levels"".

Full Product Details

Author:   David B. Peakall
Publisher:   Chapman and Hall
Imprint:   Chapman and Hall
Edition:   1992 ed.
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 1.90cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   1.380kg
ISBN:  

9780412402005

ISBN 10:   0412402009
Pages:   291
Publication Date:   31 December 1991
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

1 Scope and limitations of classical hazard assessment.- 1.1 The exposure side of the equation.- 1.2 The toxicity side of the equation.- 1.3 Hazard assessment.- 2 Biomarkers of the nervous system.- 2.1 Esterase inhibition.- 2.2 Biogenic amines.- 3 Biomarkers of the reproductive system.- 3.1 Studies of the breeding cycle.- 3.2 Studies on embryos.- 3.3 Hormones.- 4 Studies on genetic material.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 RNA/DNA ratio.- 4.3 DNA adducts.- 4.4 DNA strand breakage.- 4.5 Degree of methylation of DNA.- 4.6 Sister chromatid exchange.- 4.7 Use of genetic material in monitoring.- 5 Mixed function oxidases.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Nomenclature.- 5.3 General description of the system.- 5.4 Factors influencing activity.- 5.5 Interactions with other biomarkers.- 5.6 Mechanism of action, receptors and dioxin equivalents.- 5.7 Use of mixed function oxidases as biomarkers.- 6 Thyroid function, retinols, haem and regulatory enzymes.- 6.1 Thyroid function.- 6.2 Vitamin A (retinoids).- 6.3 Haem, porphyrins and inhibition of aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) by lead.- 6.4 Enzyme activity.- 7 Behavioural effects: their relationship to physiological changes.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Types of tests used.- 7.3 Behavioural effects of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons.- 7.4 Behavioural effects of organophosphates.- 7.5 Behavioural effects of heavy metals and other pollutants.- 7.6 Relationship of behavioural effects to biomarkers.- 8 Environmental immunotoxicology.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 The immune system as a target for xenobiotic interaction.- 8.3 Relationship of immunotoxicology and other toxic effects.- 8.4 Immunotoxic chemicals.- 8.5 Assessment and prediction of immunotoxicity.- 8.6 Application of immunoassays in environmental studies.- 8.7 Conclusions.- 9 The use of animals in wildlife toxicology.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 The LD50 and related tests.- 9.3 Comparison of measurements in blood to organs.- 9.4 The role of tissue culture experiments.- 9.5 Statistical considerations.- 10 The role of biomarkers in environmental assessment.- 10.1 Biomarkers and the epidemiological approach.- 10.2 Current status of monitoring based on biomarkers.- 10.3 Relationship between chemical exposure and biomarker response.- 10.4 Relationship between responses of biomarkers to adverse effects.- 10.5 Strategy for using biomarkers.- Appendix 1 Latin names of species referred to in text.- Appendix 2 Abbreviations.- References.

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