- Email: [email protected]
Chemical analysis of biological specimens in industrial hygiene
trends in analytical
chemistry, vol. I, no. I, 1981
XV
red and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. In conclusion, this book will be welcomed by teachers, students and analysts who are interested in improving their knowledge of different spectrometric methods. However, I would issue this caveat, particularly to students: this book gives the impression that once one has the relevant spectral information, solving a structural problem is relatively easy and each piece of the jig-saw puzzle fits nicely into place. The reader must bear in mind that this book was written by experts who make struc-
ton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance, as well as u.v./visible spectra in a few cases. In all the problems discussed, the characteristic features of the spectra obtained are explained and the most probable structure for the unknown molecule under examination is arrived at by assignment of various peaks in each spectrum to specific molecular structures on functional groups. The third part of the book, entitled ‘Short Supplementing Essays’, contains concise descriptions of the elementary ‘hints’ for analytical work with mass, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. A section like this is usually placed at the beginning of spectroscopy textbooks, but bearing in mind the nature of this book, i.e. it is oriented towards practical structure elucidation from several spectral analyses, rather than from a single one, the position and presentation of the rules are eminently suitable, especially for infrared spectroscopy. The content of the ‘Essays’ is complemented by an Appendix as the final part of the book. Here the reader can find the extensive correlation tables of functional groups or substructures with special features of mass, infra-
by spectrotural determinations metric means look facile. How different the situation is in practice will soon become apparent to the novice when he tries his han’d at spectral analysis. One branch of the scientific community which will undoubtedly benefit from the book are computer specialists who are interested in building information systems for the different types of spectrometry. JURE ZUPAN
Jure Zupan is at the Kemijski Institute in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia.
REVIEW
Chemical analysis of biological specimens in industrial hygiene ‘Biological for Industrial
Monitoring Chemicals’
Methods
by R. C. Bastet, Biomedical Publications, Davis, CA, 1980, xii + 301 pp., price L24.00, ISBN 0 931890 04 7.
The title of this book is somewhat misleading to the general reader, since it may easily be read as ‘methods of a biological nature used for monitoring’.
This would cover recent developments in the art, such as the application of the ‘Ames test’, using bacteria for the detection of mutagenic substances in body fluids or excreta. The book is, however, according to its preface, essentially a compila;ion of chemical methods for ‘the routine analysis of human tissues or excreta for direct or indirect evidence of
Advances In Physical Organic Chemistry Volume
17
edited by V. Gold and D. Bethell December From
1980, x + 516pp.,
a review of Volume
f36.60
/UK
on/v)
/$84.50.0.12.033577.4
IS
“lr is herd to imagine any physical organic those anicks. A// are strong/v recommended
chemist ”
who
will not benefit R.B.
Moodie
from
a
least one of
in Chemistry
in Britain
Contents - M.J. Perkins: Sptn trapping. John L. Ktce: Mechanivnr and reactivity of Organic Oxvacidr of rrrlfur and their anhydrides. Anthony J. Kirby: Effective molarides for intro molecular reactions. F.de Jong and D.N. Reinhoudt: Stabtliv and reactivity of crcwn~fher ComPlexes. Tovoki Kunirake and Seiji Shinksi: Catatvsis by micelles, membranes and rheir aqueous aggregater as models of enzyme acfion. Indices.
The Inorganic Heterocyclic Chemistry of Sulfur, Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Cathodeon
Henry G. Heal December
1980, xvi + 272pp..
f35.80
(UK only)
/$82.50.0.12.335680.6
This book is an up-foclafe survey of an actwe. yet relatwely unfamiliar area of fnorganoc chemn~try the hetermyclic ring and cage sysfems comprkng the common elemenfs sulfur: mfrogsn and phosphorus. Whole ~rewous works on morganic heterocychcs have referred to this area. the present volume rs unique in concentrating on if exclusively. As a result. the author is able to cons~dw the covalent rmg compwndr of sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorus m all binary and ternary cambmations in much grearer detail than that achieved in mare general works
is the largest manufacturer of Hollow Cathode and Deuterium Arc Lamps
BeeusatFWsbuq&confecence#362
ASubsidiary
of Hercourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers London Ne*r York Tomnto Sydn.y SM Ra,,cim 24-28 Oval Road, London NW1 7DX. England 111 Fafth Avenue, New York. NY 10003. USA
Circle
no. 2 on advenising
enquiry
form
&Faseb#G9
e Cathodeon Limited Nuffii Road,Cambridge,England.CB4 1TF Tel:Cambridge (0223) 356481/65222 Telex:8l685 Circle no. Won advertising
enquiry
form
trends in analytical
XVI
andhPPllED PYROLYSIS ditors: ILL.C. Meuzelaar, iniversity of Utah, alt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A.
H.-R. Schuiten, lnstitiit fiir Physikalische Chemie der Universitit Bonn, F.R.C.
Analytical pyrolysis is the combination of controlled thermal degradation with one or more techniques for separation and/or dentification. The great potential for analytical and industrial applications of this technique, as well as the wide range of ditiplines involved, clearly indicates the need for a regular publication devoted to analytical pyrolysis. The quarterly JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND 4PPLlED PYROLYSIS brings together a variety of disciplines in the application of analytical and industrial pyrolysis. Recent advances in bolymer sciences, energy production processes, biochemistry, biology, medicine, soil and marine sciences, geochemistry and environmental research have been reported in the first two volumes (l979-1980). I comprehensive review of analytical pyrolysis by W. I. Irwin and a survey by B. B. Wheals of analytical pyrolysis techniques used in forensic siencescondense information and provide many useful references in these fields. The main topics covered are: fundamental investigations of analytical and industrial pyrolysis processes l structural analysis and fingerprinting of synthetic and natural polymers l characterization of microorganisms, cells, tissues, geological and marine sediments, air particulates, humic substances and coals l techniques and instrumentation for pyrolysis investigations alone or in combination with chromatographic or spectrometric methods l
exposure to chemical substances’. A further restriction is that the book is designed for use in industrial hygiene the author’s introonly, although ductory sentence (‘Biological monitoring is one element of a total environmental program for control of industrial chemical exposure’) might raise wider expectations. In environmental science the term ‘biological monitoring’ is used in a different connotation to that used in industrial hygiene. The former includes such items as Goldberg’s ‘Mussel watch’ for the detection of aquatic pollutants or the use of biological indicators for water quality. Taking the real scope of the book for granted, it must be considered whether the coverage of ‘industrial chemicals’ is adequate. In this respect one will find 79 of the better known toxic chemicals used in industry represented in concisely written chapters of a few pages each. Full coverage of the many thousands of industrial chemicals currently used. is not intended by the author. His aim is the description of well-established methods currently employed in industry as routine tools and a few methods ‘to inspire further investigation on these and other important chemicals’. Nevertheless some omissions from the selection, such as the strong methylating agents monoand bischloromethylether, dimethylsulphate, epichlorohydrine and the iso-cyanates (TDI and MDI) regularly used in process-industry, are regrettable.
BOOK
chemistry, vol. -l,‘no. 1, 1981 .
The analytical procedures are, in general, adequate and well described. The evaluation of sensitivity, linearity, the standard error by coefficient of variance and the relative recovery are very useful, as is the summary of the interferences. A number of the procedures are derived from the Manual of Analytical Methods, of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and are therefore thoroughly tested. In situ assays, such as ethanol measurements using ‘breathalyzers’, are missing. The trend towards personal monitoring in occupational health care is not indicated. This book appears to be useful as a first introduction of chemists to the analysis of biological specimens and as a quick reference guide for those occasionally confronted with such problems. Practitioners in industry will often need more specific information since the book, by intention, is not a handbook but a handy manual of apparently well chosen methods. The useful information on the toxicology of the compounds discussed should be welcome to those chemists unfamiliar with the subtleties of this branch of science. H. J. HUECK C. PRIES The authors of the review are, respectively, heads of the Departments of Biology and Analytical Chemistry of the Division of Technology for Society, TNO, Delft, The Netherlands.
PREVIEWS
These will discuss books which are due to appear in the near future, giving an approximate date of publication. They will assess only the scientific content of the book, and will not comment on the standard of production or price.
Subscription Information:
1981: Vol. 3 (in 4 issues) - US$86.25 or 168.00 Dutch guilders including postage Journalsare automaticallysent by air to the U.S.A.,
Canada and India at no extra cost JAPAN - Delivery is by air only: please add US$4.5O/Dfl.9.00. AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND - If air delivery is required please add US $7.50 / Dfl. 14.50. ‘Irders may be placed with your usual subscription agent or directly with the publisher. A free sample copy will be sent on request
REVIEWS Chromatography
in Biomedical
Inductively Coupled Plasma Review by R. Barnes. Analysis J. Mosk
of Art Through
ISSUES.
Sciences, Atomic
by K. Macek
Emission
the Art of Analysis,
..
Spectroscopy,
a
by G. Dijkstra
and
Solid-Surface Sample Handling Techniques in Organic Analysis, by R. W. Frei and. U. A. Th. Brinkman
USRnER
P.O. Box 211,lOOO AE Amsterdam, The Nefhedands 52 VanderbiltAwnue New York, N.Y. 10017
Analytical Enantiomer
Circle no. 4 on advertising
IN FORTHCOMING
enquiry form
Studies
on Marihuana,
Separation
by HPLC,
Trace
by D.J. Harvey by E. Grushka and R. Leshem.
chemistry, vol. I, no. I, 1981
XV
red and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. In conclusion, this book will be welcomed by teachers, students and analysts who are interested in improving their knowledge of different spectrometric methods. However, I would issue this caveat, particularly to students: this book gives the impression that once one has the relevant spectral information, solving a structural problem is relatively easy and each piece of the jig-saw puzzle fits nicely into place. The reader must bear in mind that this book was written by experts who make struc-
ton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance, as well as u.v./visible spectra in a few cases. In all the problems discussed, the characteristic features of the spectra obtained are explained and the most probable structure for the unknown molecule under examination is arrived at by assignment of various peaks in each spectrum to specific molecular structures on functional groups. The third part of the book, entitled ‘Short Supplementing Essays’, contains concise descriptions of the elementary ‘hints’ for analytical work with mass, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. A section like this is usually placed at the beginning of spectroscopy textbooks, but bearing in mind the nature of this book, i.e. it is oriented towards practical structure elucidation from several spectral analyses, rather than from a single one, the position and presentation of the rules are eminently suitable, especially for infrared spectroscopy. The content of the ‘Essays’ is complemented by an Appendix as the final part of the book. Here the reader can find the extensive correlation tables of functional groups or substructures with special features of mass, infra-
by spectrotural determinations metric means look facile. How different the situation is in practice will soon become apparent to the novice when he tries his han’d at spectral analysis. One branch of the scientific community which will undoubtedly benefit from the book are computer specialists who are interested in building information systems for the different types of spectrometry. JURE ZUPAN
Jure Zupan is at the Kemijski Institute in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia.
REVIEW
Chemical analysis of biological specimens in industrial hygiene ‘Biological for Industrial
Monitoring Chemicals’
Methods
by R. C. Bastet, Biomedical Publications, Davis, CA, 1980, xii + 301 pp., price L24.00, ISBN 0 931890 04 7.
The title of this book is somewhat misleading to the general reader, since it may easily be read as ‘methods of a biological nature used for monitoring’.
This would cover recent developments in the art, such as the application of the ‘Ames test’, using bacteria for the detection of mutagenic substances in body fluids or excreta. The book is, however, according to its preface, essentially a compila;ion of chemical methods for ‘the routine analysis of human tissues or excreta for direct or indirect evidence of
Advances In Physical Organic Chemistry Volume
17
edited by V. Gold and D. Bethell December From
1980, x + 516pp.,
a review of Volume
f36.60
/UK
on/v)
/$84.50.0.12.033577.4
IS
“lr is herd to imagine any physical organic those anicks. A// are strong/v recommended
chemist ”
who
will not benefit R.B.
Moodie
from
a
least one of
in Chemistry
in Britain
Contents - M.J. Perkins: Sptn trapping. John L. Ktce: Mechanivnr and reactivity of Organic Oxvacidr of rrrlfur and their anhydrides. Anthony J. Kirby: Effective molarides for intro molecular reactions. F.de Jong and D.N. Reinhoudt: Stabtliv and reactivity of crcwn~fher ComPlexes. Tovoki Kunirake and Seiji Shinksi: Catatvsis by micelles, membranes and rheir aqueous aggregater as models of enzyme acfion. Indices.
The Inorganic Heterocyclic Chemistry of Sulfur, Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Cathodeon
Henry G. Heal December
1980, xvi + 272pp..
f35.80
(UK only)
/$82.50.0.12.335680.6
This book is an up-foclafe survey of an actwe. yet relatwely unfamiliar area of fnorganoc chemn~try the hetermyclic ring and cage sysfems comprkng the common elemenfs sulfur: mfrogsn and phosphorus. Whole ~rewous works on morganic heterocychcs have referred to this area. the present volume rs unique in concentrating on if exclusively. As a result. the author is able to cons~dw the covalent rmg compwndr of sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorus m all binary and ternary cambmations in much grearer detail than that achieved in mare general works
is the largest manufacturer of Hollow Cathode and Deuterium Arc Lamps
BeeusatFWsbuq&confecence#362
ASubsidiary
of Hercourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers London Ne*r York Tomnto Sydn.y SM Ra,,cim 24-28 Oval Road, London NW1 7DX. England 111 Fafth Avenue, New York. NY 10003. USA
Circle
no. 2 on advenising
enquiry
form
&Faseb#G9
e Cathodeon Limited Nuffii Road,Cambridge,England.CB4 1TF Tel:Cambridge (0223) 356481/65222 Telex:8l685 Circle no. Won advertising
enquiry
form
trends in analytical
XVI
andhPPllED PYROLYSIS ditors: ILL.C. Meuzelaar, iniversity of Utah, alt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A.
H.-R. Schuiten, lnstitiit fiir Physikalische Chemie der Universitit Bonn, F.R.C.
Analytical pyrolysis is the combination of controlled thermal degradation with one or more techniques for separation and/or dentification. The great potential for analytical and industrial applications of this technique, as well as the wide range of ditiplines involved, clearly indicates the need for a regular publication devoted to analytical pyrolysis. The quarterly JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND 4PPLlED PYROLYSIS brings together a variety of disciplines in the application of analytical and industrial pyrolysis. Recent advances in bolymer sciences, energy production processes, biochemistry, biology, medicine, soil and marine sciences, geochemistry and environmental research have been reported in the first two volumes (l979-1980). I comprehensive review of analytical pyrolysis by W. I. Irwin and a survey by B. B. Wheals of analytical pyrolysis techniques used in forensic siencescondense information and provide many useful references in these fields. The main topics covered are: fundamental investigations of analytical and industrial pyrolysis processes l structural analysis and fingerprinting of synthetic and natural polymers l characterization of microorganisms, cells, tissues, geological and marine sediments, air particulates, humic substances and coals l techniques and instrumentation for pyrolysis investigations alone or in combination with chromatographic or spectrometric methods l
exposure to chemical substances’. A further restriction is that the book is designed for use in industrial hygiene the author’s introonly, although ductory sentence (‘Biological monitoring is one element of a total environmental program for control of industrial chemical exposure’) might raise wider expectations. In environmental science the term ‘biological monitoring’ is used in a different connotation to that used in industrial hygiene. The former includes such items as Goldberg’s ‘Mussel watch’ for the detection of aquatic pollutants or the use of biological indicators for water quality. Taking the real scope of the book for granted, it must be considered whether the coverage of ‘industrial chemicals’ is adequate. In this respect one will find 79 of the better known toxic chemicals used in industry represented in concisely written chapters of a few pages each. Full coverage of the many thousands of industrial chemicals currently used. is not intended by the author. His aim is the description of well-established methods currently employed in industry as routine tools and a few methods ‘to inspire further investigation on these and other important chemicals’. Nevertheless some omissions from the selection, such as the strong methylating agents monoand bischloromethylether, dimethylsulphate, epichlorohydrine and the iso-cyanates (TDI and MDI) regularly used in process-industry, are regrettable.
BOOK
chemistry, vol. -l,‘no. 1, 1981 .
The analytical procedures are, in general, adequate and well described. The evaluation of sensitivity, linearity, the standard error by coefficient of variance and the relative recovery are very useful, as is the summary of the interferences. A number of the procedures are derived from the Manual of Analytical Methods, of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and are therefore thoroughly tested. In situ assays, such as ethanol measurements using ‘breathalyzers’, are missing. The trend towards personal monitoring in occupational health care is not indicated. This book appears to be useful as a first introduction of chemists to the analysis of biological specimens and as a quick reference guide for those occasionally confronted with such problems. Practitioners in industry will often need more specific information since the book, by intention, is not a handbook but a handy manual of apparently well chosen methods. The useful information on the toxicology of the compounds discussed should be welcome to those chemists unfamiliar with the subtleties of this branch of science. H. J. HUECK C. PRIES The authors of the review are, respectively, heads of the Departments of Biology and Analytical Chemistry of the Division of Technology for Society, TNO, Delft, The Netherlands.
PREVIEWS
These will discuss books which are due to appear in the near future, giving an approximate date of publication. They will assess only the scientific content of the book, and will not comment on the standard of production or price.
Subscription Information:
1981: Vol. 3 (in 4 issues) - US$86.25 or 168.00 Dutch guilders including postage Journalsare automaticallysent by air to the U.S.A.,
Canada and India at no extra cost JAPAN - Delivery is by air only: please add US$4.5O/Dfl.9.00. AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND - If air delivery is required please add US $7.50 / Dfl. 14.50. ‘Irders may be placed with your usual subscription agent or directly with the publisher. A free sample copy will be sent on request
REVIEWS Chromatography
in Biomedical
Inductively Coupled Plasma Review by R. Barnes. Analysis J. Mosk
of Art Through
ISSUES.
Sciences, Atomic
by K. Macek
Emission
the Art of Analysis,
..
Spectroscopy,
a
by G. Dijkstra
and
Solid-Surface Sample Handling Techniques in Organic Analysis, by R. W. Frei and. U. A. Th. Brinkman
USRnER
P.O. Box 211,lOOO AE Amsterdam, The Nefhedands 52 VanderbiltAwnue New York, N.Y. 10017
Analytical Enantiomer
Circle no. 4 on advertising
IN FORTHCOMING
enquiry form
Studies
on Marihuana,
Separation
by HPLC,
Trace
by D.J. Harvey by E. Grushka and R. Leshem.