- Email: [email protected]
Environmental health impact assessment
496
Book reviews
type conversion, improving genetic stock, etc.)affect fiber production. Reasonable (but incomplete) acreage figures and productivity rates somewhat improve this general understanding but detailed descriptions of the technologies are lacking, This book is an up-to-date exploration of the ramifications of renewable resource management in forestry and agriculture for people with some previous experience in one or both of these fields. In the context of today's complicated economic systems, alternative resource considerations, energy problems and social concerns, Bethel and Massengale's book presents a remarkably clear set of perspectives and offers rich material for comparisons. I recommend this book to environmental science students, regional resource planners and managers, and people interested in varied uses ofbiomass,
Environmental Sciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory* OakRidge, Tennessee37830, USA
J.W. Ranney
*Operated by Union Carbide Corporation under contract W-7405eng-26 with U.S. Department of Energy. Publication No. 1508, EnvironmentaI SciencesDivision, ORNL.
Energy, Economic and Ecological Relationships for Gotland, Sweden A Regional Systems Study (,1978) -
-
A.M. Jannson and J. Zucchetto. Ecological Bulletins, No. 28, Swedish Natural Science Research Council. This is a report of a project which attempts to describe the regional complex of cultural and natural systems of Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea. It employs a basic systems methodology to analyze the energy flow, hydrology and nitrogen budget for the island. In contrast to many previous publications which use H.T. Odum's modelling approach and its resultant "spaghetti" diagrams, this one is readable and, for the most part, coherent and well organized. It begins with an overview of the regional system, Gotland, then subdivides the region into its major natural, agricultural, urban and industrial cornponents and discusses the energy flows and storages associated with each. Finally, models and simulation results of the hydrologic and nitrogen cycles for the island are discussed, Odum's concepts of combined systems and energy analyses have been applied worldwide, with topics ranging from hydrologic problems in south Florida, in Israeli agriculture, land use in the Dominican Republic, and now in Gotland, Sweden. In applying Odum's methodology, however, the authors faced two immediate concerns, The first was the preponderant opposition from the majority of systems ecologists to Odum's energy flow modelling language. The second was the uniform disagreement of most energy analysts over Odum's energy accounting method which places values on natural energy contributions and often distinguishes energy flows on the basis of "energy quality". Although still employing the energy flow language, the authors tactfully omit the concept of energy quality and only briefly discuss the natural energy contributions, e.g., from solar radiation and precipitation. One of the primary aims of the project was to apply the systems approach to an understanding of regional systems. Although this approach was stressed and explained clearly throughout the text, concepts pertaining to regional systems were not. The authors indicate (p.22) that the boundaries for the regional system of interest may (should) be dictated by the problem being studied. However, they stated that the island of Gotland was chosen because of its welldefined physical boundaries and because data were readily available. The latter may appear trivial, but data availability is forever the bane of individuals studying regional systems. As a result, many fall into the classifical researcher's dilemma of first collecting the data and then looking for a problem. This seems to be the approach taken by the authors, for this report is primarily a descriptive thesis, albeit a good one. As with many energy analyses, this study presents data and methodology without demonstrating their application in solving a regional ecological problem, Nonetheless, the energy analyses present energy flows and storages that are particularly informative. They give an overview and perspective of the energy linkages between natural and cultural systems of the island. However, the statement (p. 128) that the combination of energy analysis and systems analysis was necessary to show Gotland's dependence on purchased energy is somewhat naive. Simple input/output calculations would show the same result. In addition,
by omitting Odum's energy quality concept, the authors fail to emphasize the amplification processes in ecological systems. In other words, energy is concentrated as it moves up the food chain, e.g., hay-sheep, phytoplankton-herring. Thus, a comparison of the calories of fish or grain or sheep harvested on an equal basis with the cultural energy requirement to produce those harvests interjects some bias. Perhaps it would be better to compare the cultural energy requirements with the amount of protein produced or to backtrack with the money paid for the harvest (protein or wood products) and convert that to energy units in a manner similar to the accounting employed for goods and services. The ecological analysis is rather weak, and primarily descriptive, as in the case of the natural systems where energy conversion and food chain dynamics are discussed. Several statements are casually made without qualification or documentation, such as "natural systems spend much energy to maintain complexity" and assumptions concerning Lotka's maximum power principle (p. 47). Without the necessary qualifiers, these statements can be greatly misinterpreted by the nonecologists. It would have been helpful if basic interactions between ecological systems could have been documented as well as cause/effect relationships between the regional system and its component ecosystems. Unfortunately, as the authors state, their involved time and funding restrictions on this study precluded them from doing more in-depth analyses. The most interesting and thoroughly detailed section deals with the hydrologic and nitrogen cycles (and nitrate in the drinking water). This section is of finer resolution than the others and it is the only one which details quantitative and predictive simulation results. It demonstrates that the macroscale (regional level) models need not be simulated. Rather, model utility may lie in synthesizing ideas, organizing information, guiding data collection, comparing types of impacts and directing more in-depth microscale analyses at a level where simulation is valuable. Thus, the simulation results presented, though based on rather simplified models, offer a quantitative assessment of future problems. Energy was not a key variable in these simulations. However, it was through the use of the macroscale energy models that it was found necessary for the hydrologic cycle to be evaluated at this level of resolution. To summarize, this report is a good case study and basic application of an energy analysis methodology. The study is extremely useful by allowing planners to comprehend energy, economic and ecological interactions, and it brings up many important questions. For example, in the discussion on labour and energy, can human labour be resubstituted for oil-intensive work and still maintain the system's productivity? Or, what is the agricultural productivity/efficiency ratio of the future going to be, based on the rising costs of imported energy? These are questions which need to be answered. In addition, with respect to regional planning, models of future long-term plans for the island and predictions of the impacts on Gotland's energy, economy and ecology could yield useful insights. Although this study's data are quite specific, the demonstration of the methodology shows the potential for dealing with difficult problems in our energy, economic and ecologic systems.
EnvironmentalSciencesDivision Oak Ridge National Laboratory*, OakRidge, Tennessee37830, USA
JeffreyM. Klopatek
*Operatedby Union Carbide Corporation under contract W-7405eng-26for the U.S. Department of Energy.
"Environmental health impact assessment": EURO Reports and Studies, No. 7. Copenhagen, 1979, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, 31 pp. Price: S.Fr. 5. The single-minded pursuit of economic development has led, in many industrialized countries, to a deterioration in the environment. This deterioration affects all aspects of the "quality of life" including health: whereas in the developed countries communicable diseases are becoming less common and more manageable, those connected with toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic materials in the environment are assuming increasing importance. The assessment of environmental impact is essential for sound planning in all areas. The purpose of this Seminar was to review the experience of various countries in assessing the environmental health aspects of the problem and to place this experience at the disposal of governments.
Book reviews
497
The first part of the report covers general topics: background and objectives of environmental impact assessment (EIA); overview of EIA in various countries; health effects; the role of health agencies; participation by the public; participation of health professionals; model code of practice for the health aspect of EIA; and international collaboration. The second part discusses the effect on environmental health of 10 examples of economic development in eight countries, The report concludes with a comprehensive list of recommendations. "Human
v i r u s e s in w a t e r , w a s t e w a t e r a n d s o i l " . W o r l d
Health Organization Technical Report Series, No. 639, World
Health
Price: S.Fr. 4.
Organization,
Geneva,
1979,
50 p p .
The contamination of water and soils by bacteria and the associated health risks have been thoroughly investigated, but until recently less attention has been paid to the hazards deriving from virus contamination. Thirty years have passed since the first systematic studies were carried out on the presence in water of human enteric viruses - - of which there are more than a hundred different types - - but up to now the public health significance of such contamination has not been evaluated, partly because of the lack of suitable methods of virus detection. Research has shown that enteric viruses can easily survive present sewage treatment methods and many persist for several months in natural waters. Although few accounts of viral contamination of water in developing areas have been published, it may reasonably be assumed that where sanitation is less advanced enteric viruses exist in great abundance in water sources. The present report of a WHO Scientific Group makes an assessment of the public health importance of enteric viruses of human origin in water, wastewater and soil, and of the nature of the risks for exposed persons. It defines the limits of epidemiological investigations, and discusses the various sources of infection - - wastewater, drinking-water, seawater, water used for recreation or applied to soil and crops, groundwater and aerosols. Also dealt with is the question of virus monitoring in different situations, for which the techniques are given in an annex. Attention is then turned to the various treatmerit processes used for the removal of viruses from wastewater, sludge and drinking-water, respectively, as well as to the decontamination measures applied to ensure the safety of recycled water. With reference to the reuse of wastewater for potable supplies, guidelines are set forth regarding the permissible limits of viral contamination, The report ends with a series of recommendations outlining priority areas for further research. In view of the growing importance of the problems described, which are being compounded by increasing demands on available water resources as a result of population growth and concomitant industrial expansion, this publication is of direct concern not only to virologists and water-quality controllers, but also to all persons interested in water and soil pollution and to those responsible for public health and economic planning in both the developed and the developing countries,
EnvironmentalHealth Criteria 13: Carbon monoxide.
Published under the joint sponsorship of the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1979. 113 pp. Price: S . F r . 10. The effects on man of exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide are well documented and the sequelae of acute carbon monoxide poisoning are adequately dealt with in standard textbooks. Such concentrations are largely a product of incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels and the most important source of carbon monoxide pollution at breathing level is from the exhaust fumes of motor vehicles using light volatile hydrocarbon fuels, Recently, more attention has been paid to the possible effects of exposure to carbon monoxide concentrations much lower than those that cause acute poisoning. There is much published evidence-- some of debatable value - - that suggests that the comparatively low concerttrations ofcarhoxyhaemoglohin produced by exposure to pollution of the ambient air and the higher concentrations associated with tobacco smoking may cause demonstrable impairment of vigilance, discrimination and the performance of fine tasks,
This latest publication in the WHO Environmental Health Criteria series deals with the entire range of the health risks due to carbon monoxide. It is based primarily on original publications and on reviews; the references to these are contained in a bibliography of nearly 400 items. The volume takes into consideration the comments received from national institutions collaborating with the WHO Environmental Health Criteria Programme and the International Labour Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Permanent Commission and International Association on Occupational Health, the Commission on Air Quality of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and the Pan American Sanitary Engineering Center. It was finalized by a WHO task group. Following a summary of the major issues and recommendations for further studies, the subjects covered include the physical and chemical properties of carbon monoxide and analytical procedures used in its study; the sources of the compound in the environment and its distribution; its metabolism and its effects on experimental animals and man. The work concludes with an evaluation of health risks and recommends exposure limits. The publication will be of interest to departments of health protection, occupational health and the environment, to national regulatory agencies, public health workers and to transport managers.
Environmental Health Criteria 14: Ultraviolet radiation. Published under the joint sponsorship of the
United Nations Environment Programme, the World Health Organization and the International Radiation Protection Association, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1979.110 pp. Price: S.Fr. 10. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) occurs from both natural and artificial sources. The sun is the principal natural source. Artificial sources are widely used in industry and, because of its germicidal properties, UVR is also used in hospitals, laboratories and schools. It has a therapeutic application for prevention of vitamin D deficiency, the treatment of skin diseases, and cosmetic purposes. Artificial UVR sources are available as consumer products. The migration of people between areas of different UVR exposure levels, for occupational or recreational reasons, gives rise to unforeseen exposure. Exposure to natural UVR may be increased owing to possible depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. The effects of UVR on man may be beneficial or detrimental. Beneficial effects include UVR's important role in the synthesis of Vitamin D in the body, and subsequent effects on mineral metabolism. Its harmful effects involve primarily the skin and eyes and it is considered as a precursor of malignant skin tumours, squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva, and cataract. The volume is based primarily on evaluation of original publications and reviews; the references to these are contained in a bibliography of some 300 items. Following a summary of the major issues and recommendations for further study, the subjects covered include the properties and measurements of UVR, its biological effects, and beneficial and harmful health effects on man. The book provides an evaluation of the health risks to man and finally describes the range of exposure limits to UVR, existing protection and control measures such as containment of UVR sources, and methods for personalprotection. The report was prepared by experts from various countries and international organizations, and takes into consideration comments received from national institutions collaborating with the WHO Environmental Health Criteria Programme, and from the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organisation, the World Meteorological Organization, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The publication will be of interest to departments of health, housing andtownplanning, occupational healthandtheenvironment, to dermatologists and oncologists, to national regulatory agencies, and to public health workers.
Book reviews
type conversion, improving genetic stock, etc.)affect fiber production. Reasonable (but incomplete) acreage figures and productivity rates somewhat improve this general understanding but detailed descriptions of the technologies are lacking, This book is an up-to-date exploration of the ramifications of renewable resource management in forestry and agriculture for people with some previous experience in one or both of these fields. In the context of today's complicated economic systems, alternative resource considerations, energy problems and social concerns, Bethel and Massengale's book presents a remarkably clear set of perspectives and offers rich material for comparisons. I recommend this book to environmental science students, regional resource planners and managers, and people interested in varied uses ofbiomass,
Environmental Sciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory* OakRidge, Tennessee37830, USA
J.W. Ranney
*Operated by Union Carbide Corporation under contract W-7405eng-26 with U.S. Department of Energy. Publication No. 1508, EnvironmentaI SciencesDivision, ORNL.
Energy, Economic and Ecological Relationships for Gotland, Sweden A Regional Systems Study (,1978) -
-
A.M. Jannson and J. Zucchetto. Ecological Bulletins, No. 28, Swedish Natural Science Research Council. This is a report of a project which attempts to describe the regional complex of cultural and natural systems of Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea. It employs a basic systems methodology to analyze the energy flow, hydrology and nitrogen budget for the island. In contrast to many previous publications which use H.T. Odum's modelling approach and its resultant "spaghetti" diagrams, this one is readable and, for the most part, coherent and well organized. It begins with an overview of the regional system, Gotland, then subdivides the region into its major natural, agricultural, urban and industrial cornponents and discusses the energy flows and storages associated with each. Finally, models and simulation results of the hydrologic and nitrogen cycles for the island are discussed, Odum's concepts of combined systems and energy analyses have been applied worldwide, with topics ranging from hydrologic problems in south Florida, in Israeli agriculture, land use in the Dominican Republic, and now in Gotland, Sweden. In applying Odum's methodology, however, the authors faced two immediate concerns, The first was the preponderant opposition from the majority of systems ecologists to Odum's energy flow modelling language. The second was the uniform disagreement of most energy analysts over Odum's energy accounting method which places values on natural energy contributions and often distinguishes energy flows on the basis of "energy quality". Although still employing the energy flow language, the authors tactfully omit the concept of energy quality and only briefly discuss the natural energy contributions, e.g., from solar radiation and precipitation. One of the primary aims of the project was to apply the systems approach to an understanding of regional systems. Although this approach was stressed and explained clearly throughout the text, concepts pertaining to regional systems were not. The authors indicate (p.22) that the boundaries for the regional system of interest may (should) be dictated by the problem being studied. However, they stated that the island of Gotland was chosen because of its welldefined physical boundaries and because data were readily available. The latter may appear trivial, but data availability is forever the bane of individuals studying regional systems. As a result, many fall into the classifical researcher's dilemma of first collecting the data and then looking for a problem. This seems to be the approach taken by the authors, for this report is primarily a descriptive thesis, albeit a good one. As with many energy analyses, this study presents data and methodology without demonstrating their application in solving a regional ecological problem, Nonetheless, the energy analyses present energy flows and storages that are particularly informative. They give an overview and perspective of the energy linkages between natural and cultural systems of the island. However, the statement (p. 128) that the combination of energy analysis and systems analysis was necessary to show Gotland's dependence on purchased energy is somewhat naive. Simple input/output calculations would show the same result. In addition,
by omitting Odum's energy quality concept, the authors fail to emphasize the amplification processes in ecological systems. In other words, energy is concentrated as it moves up the food chain, e.g., hay-sheep, phytoplankton-herring. Thus, a comparison of the calories of fish or grain or sheep harvested on an equal basis with the cultural energy requirement to produce those harvests interjects some bias. Perhaps it would be better to compare the cultural energy requirements with the amount of protein produced or to backtrack with the money paid for the harvest (protein or wood products) and convert that to energy units in a manner similar to the accounting employed for goods and services. The ecological analysis is rather weak, and primarily descriptive, as in the case of the natural systems where energy conversion and food chain dynamics are discussed. Several statements are casually made without qualification or documentation, such as "natural systems spend much energy to maintain complexity" and assumptions concerning Lotka's maximum power principle (p. 47). Without the necessary qualifiers, these statements can be greatly misinterpreted by the nonecologists. It would have been helpful if basic interactions between ecological systems could have been documented as well as cause/effect relationships between the regional system and its component ecosystems. Unfortunately, as the authors state, their involved time and funding restrictions on this study precluded them from doing more in-depth analyses. The most interesting and thoroughly detailed section deals with the hydrologic and nitrogen cycles (and nitrate in the drinking water). This section is of finer resolution than the others and it is the only one which details quantitative and predictive simulation results. It demonstrates that the macroscale (regional level) models need not be simulated. Rather, model utility may lie in synthesizing ideas, organizing information, guiding data collection, comparing types of impacts and directing more in-depth microscale analyses at a level where simulation is valuable. Thus, the simulation results presented, though based on rather simplified models, offer a quantitative assessment of future problems. Energy was not a key variable in these simulations. However, it was through the use of the macroscale energy models that it was found necessary for the hydrologic cycle to be evaluated at this level of resolution. To summarize, this report is a good case study and basic application of an energy analysis methodology. The study is extremely useful by allowing planners to comprehend energy, economic and ecological interactions, and it brings up many important questions. For example, in the discussion on labour and energy, can human labour be resubstituted for oil-intensive work and still maintain the system's productivity? Or, what is the agricultural productivity/efficiency ratio of the future going to be, based on the rising costs of imported energy? These are questions which need to be answered. In addition, with respect to regional planning, models of future long-term plans for the island and predictions of the impacts on Gotland's energy, economy and ecology could yield useful insights. Although this study's data are quite specific, the demonstration of the methodology shows the potential for dealing with difficult problems in our energy, economic and ecologic systems.
EnvironmentalSciencesDivision Oak Ridge National Laboratory*, OakRidge, Tennessee37830, USA
JeffreyM. Klopatek
*Operatedby Union Carbide Corporation under contract W-7405eng-26for the U.S. Department of Energy.
"Environmental health impact assessment": EURO Reports and Studies, No. 7. Copenhagen, 1979, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, 31 pp. Price: S.Fr. 5. The single-minded pursuit of economic development has led, in many industrialized countries, to a deterioration in the environment. This deterioration affects all aspects of the "quality of life" including health: whereas in the developed countries communicable diseases are becoming less common and more manageable, those connected with toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic materials in the environment are assuming increasing importance. The assessment of environmental impact is essential for sound planning in all areas. The purpose of this Seminar was to review the experience of various countries in assessing the environmental health aspects of the problem and to place this experience at the disposal of governments.
Book reviews
497
The first part of the report covers general topics: background and objectives of environmental impact assessment (EIA); overview of EIA in various countries; health effects; the role of health agencies; participation by the public; participation of health professionals; model code of practice for the health aspect of EIA; and international collaboration. The second part discusses the effect on environmental health of 10 examples of economic development in eight countries, The report concludes with a comprehensive list of recommendations. "Human
v i r u s e s in w a t e r , w a s t e w a t e r a n d s o i l " . W o r l d
Health Organization Technical Report Series, No. 639, World
Health
Price: S.Fr. 4.
Organization,
Geneva,
1979,
50 p p .
The contamination of water and soils by bacteria and the associated health risks have been thoroughly investigated, but until recently less attention has been paid to the hazards deriving from virus contamination. Thirty years have passed since the first systematic studies were carried out on the presence in water of human enteric viruses - - of which there are more than a hundred different types - - but up to now the public health significance of such contamination has not been evaluated, partly because of the lack of suitable methods of virus detection. Research has shown that enteric viruses can easily survive present sewage treatment methods and many persist for several months in natural waters. Although few accounts of viral contamination of water in developing areas have been published, it may reasonably be assumed that where sanitation is less advanced enteric viruses exist in great abundance in water sources. The present report of a WHO Scientific Group makes an assessment of the public health importance of enteric viruses of human origin in water, wastewater and soil, and of the nature of the risks for exposed persons. It defines the limits of epidemiological investigations, and discusses the various sources of infection - - wastewater, drinking-water, seawater, water used for recreation or applied to soil and crops, groundwater and aerosols. Also dealt with is the question of virus monitoring in different situations, for which the techniques are given in an annex. Attention is then turned to the various treatmerit processes used for the removal of viruses from wastewater, sludge and drinking-water, respectively, as well as to the decontamination measures applied to ensure the safety of recycled water. With reference to the reuse of wastewater for potable supplies, guidelines are set forth regarding the permissible limits of viral contamination, The report ends with a series of recommendations outlining priority areas for further research. In view of the growing importance of the problems described, which are being compounded by increasing demands on available water resources as a result of population growth and concomitant industrial expansion, this publication is of direct concern not only to virologists and water-quality controllers, but also to all persons interested in water and soil pollution and to those responsible for public health and economic planning in both the developed and the developing countries,
EnvironmentalHealth Criteria 13: Carbon monoxide.
Published under the joint sponsorship of the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1979. 113 pp. Price: S . F r . 10. The effects on man of exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide are well documented and the sequelae of acute carbon monoxide poisoning are adequately dealt with in standard textbooks. Such concentrations are largely a product of incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels and the most important source of carbon monoxide pollution at breathing level is from the exhaust fumes of motor vehicles using light volatile hydrocarbon fuels, Recently, more attention has been paid to the possible effects of exposure to carbon monoxide concentrations much lower than those that cause acute poisoning. There is much published evidence-- some of debatable value - - that suggests that the comparatively low concerttrations ofcarhoxyhaemoglohin produced by exposure to pollution of the ambient air and the higher concentrations associated with tobacco smoking may cause demonstrable impairment of vigilance, discrimination and the performance of fine tasks,
This latest publication in the WHO Environmental Health Criteria series deals with the entire range of the health risks due to carbon monoxide. It is based primarily on original publications and on reviews; the references to these are contained in a bibliography of nearly 400 items. The volume takes into consideration the comments received from national institutions collaborating with the WHO Environmental Health Criteria Programme and the International Labour Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Permanent Commission and International Association on Occupational Health, the Commission on Air Quality of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and the Pan American Sanitary Engineering Center. It was finalized by a WHO task group. Following a summary of the major issues and recommendations for further studies, the subjects covered include the physical and chemical properties of carbon monoxide and analytical procedures used in its study; the sources of the compound in the environment and its distribution; its metabolism and its effects on experimental animals and man. The work concludes with an evaluation of health risks and recommends exposure limits. The publication will be of interest to departments of health protection, occupational health and the environment, to national regulatory agencies, public health workers and to transport managers.
Environmental Health Criteria 14: Ultraviolet radiation. Published under the joint sponsorship of the
United Nations Environment Programme, the World Health Organization and the International Radiation Protection Association, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1979.110 pp. Price: S.Fr. 10. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) occurs from both natural and artificial sources. The sun is the principal natural source. Artificial sources are widely used in industry and, because of its germicidal properties, UVR is also used in hospitals, laboratories and schools. It has a therapeutic application for prevention of vitamin D deficiency, the treatment of skin diseases, and cosmetic purposes. Artificial UVR sources are available as consumer products. The migration of people between areas of different UVR exposure levels, for occupational or recreational reasons, gives rise to unforeseen exposure. Exposure to natural UVR may be increased owing to possible depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. The effects of UVR on man may be beneficial or detrimental. Beneficial effects include UVR's important role in the synthesis of Vitamin D in the body, and subsequent effects on mineral metabolism. Its harmful effects involve primarily the skin and eyes and it is considered as a precursor of malignant skin tumours, squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva, and cataract. The volume is based primarily on evaluation of original publications and reviews; the references to these are contained in a bibliography of some 300 items. Following a summary of the major issues and recommendations for further study, the subjects covered include the properties and measurements of UVR, its biological effects, and beneficial and harmful health effects on man. The book provides an evaluation of the health risks to man and finally describes the range of exposure limits to UVR, existing protection and control measures such as containment of UVR sources, and methods for personalprotection. The report was prepared by experts from various countries and international organizations, and takes into consideration comments received from national institutions collaborating with the WHO Environmental Health Criteria Programme, and from the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organisation, the World Meteorological Organization, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The publication will be of interest to departments of health, housing andtownplanning, occupational healthandtheenvironment, to dermatologists and oncologists, to national regulatory agencies, and to public health workers.