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Lead pollution
XI
trends in analytical chemistl-y, uol. 1, no. 8,1982 *
Lead Pollution
Lead Pollution - Causes and Control by R. M. Harrison and D. P. H. Laxen, Chapman and Hall, 1981. (vi + 168pages) ISBN 0 412 16360 8
The significance of lead as an air pollutant capable of damaging health has been appreciated for many years, but the current controversy over its neurological action in children with long-term exposure makes the subject of this book a potential minefield for any author. Veering too far in one direction would have risked a book which failed to address questions on which most readers would expect comment; straying the other way, by speculation on currently unproven ideas, could have resulted ip a misleading and scientifically inaccurate book. Happily the authors of ‘Lead Pollution’ have crossed the minefield with skill and authority. This relatively slim book contains a comprehensive review of the subject and should be a valuable reference source for all concerned with environmental problems, particularly those seeking sound treatment of the chemistry of the various forms of lead. The book deals first with sources of lead in air, water and soil and with concentrations observed, then with ways in which lead emissions can be controlled, and finally with human exposure to lead and its effects. After a short introduction there are three major chapters reviewing lead in the atmosphere, in water and in the soil. In each chapter there are sections, summarizing sources, concentrations, chemical properties and reactions. Special attention is paid to the distinction between organic and inorganic forms of lead in air and the atmospheric chemistry of lead. There is also a discussion of the limits on solubility and of the speciation of lead in fresh and salt waters. The chemistry of lead in soils is treated only briefly and there is minimal discussion of plant uptake. The chapter on control of lead in air begins with full coverage of industrial sources, including smelting, refining, battery manufacture and lead alkyl production as a fuel additive. Discussion of industrial control measures and in-stack includes both premethods, as well as a brief mention of plume dispersal in relation to stack height. There follow details of legislafor control procedures tive and
industry in the U.K. and U.S.A. and a useful section on the control of lead emissions from motor vehicles. Control of lead discharges to water includes reviews of water quality criteria and standards and there is extensive treatment of control practices in removing lead, with detailed examples from several industries. In describing human exposure to lead and its effects there is an admirable lack of bias. A clear picture is given of the latest knowledge on lead intake in diet, water and air, on the metabolism of lead and on bloodlead values. In a detailed discussion of one of the most thorough surveys of neurobehavioural effects in children, the emphasis is on pointing out the difficulties in testing hypotheses and in designing and analysing experiments. The final chapter summarises methods available for the chemical analysis of lead and gives a critique of their applicability and sensitivity. The book is an authoritative review by authors with wide experience of the
environmental chemistry of lead. I have two minor criticisms: there could have been more concerning relations between soils polluted with lead and the uptake by plants - for example discussion of problems of land reclamation or pathways to food chains; second, the book is mainly concerned with the U.K. and U.S.A. A few more examples from Europe could have emphasized the widespread distribution of lead in air and water. Although not a large volume, this book is well supplemented with tables, figures and references, and it would make an excellent introductory text for university courses, for new research workers and for industrialists needing to appreciate the control, distribution, pathways and action of lead in industrial and natural environments. U.
H.
Dr. Uruworth is in the Department
UNSWORTH
of Physiolqgy and Environmental Studies, UniversiQ of Nottingham, School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonnington, Loughborough LE12 5RD, Li.K.
trends in analytical chemistl-y, uol. 1, no. 8,1982 *
Lead Pollution
Lead Pollution - Causes and Control by R. M. Harrison and D. P. H. Laxen, Chapman and Hall, 1981. (vi + 168pages) ISBN 0 412 16360 8
The significance of lead as an air pollutant capable of damaging health has been appreciated for many years, but the current controversy over its neurological action in children with long-term exposure makes the subject of this book a potential minefield for any author. Veering too far in one direction would have risked a book which failed to address questions on which most readers would expect comment; straying the other way, by speculation on currently unproven ideas, could have resulted ip a misleading and scientifically inaccurate book. Happily the authors of ‘Lead Pollution’ have crossed the minefield with skill and authority. This relatively slim book contains a comprehensive review of the subject and should be a valuable reference source for all concerned with environmental problems, particularly those seeking sound treatment of the chemistry of the various forms of lead. The book deals first with sources of lead in air, water and soil and with concentrations observed, then with ways in which lead emissions can be controlled, and finally with human exposure to lead and its effects. After a short introduction there are three major chapters reviewing lead in the atmosphere, in water and in the soil. In each chapter there are sections, summarizing sources, concentrations, chemical properties and reactions. Special attention is paid to the distinction between organic and inorganic forms of lead in air and the atmospheric chemistry of lead. There is also a discussion of the limits on solubility and of the speciation of lead in fresh and salt waters. The chemistry of lead in soils is treated only briefly and there is minimal discussion of plant uptake. The chapter on control of lead in air begins with full coverage of industrial sources, including smelting, refining, battery manufacture and lead alkyl production as a fuel additive. Discussion of industrial control measures and in-stack includes both premethods, as well as a brief mention of plume dispersal in relation to stack height. There follow details of legislafor control procedures tive and
industry in the U.K. and U.S.A. and a useful section on the control of lead emissions from motor vehicles. Control of lead discharges to water includes reviews of water quality criteria and standards and there is extensive treatment of control practices in removing lead, with detailed examples from several industries. In describing human exposure to lead and its effects there is an admirable lack of bias. A clear picture is given of the latest knowledge on lead intake in diet, water and air, on the metabolism of lead and on bloodlead values. In a detailed discussion of one of the most thorough surveys of neurobehavioural effects in children, the emphasis is on pointing out the difficulties in testing hypotheses and in designing and analysing experiments. The final chapter summarises methods available for the chemical analysis of lead and gives a critique of their applicability and sensitivity. The book is an authoritative review by authors with wide experience of the
environmental chemistry of lead. I have two minor criticisms: there could have been more concerning relations between soils polluted with lead and the uptake by plants - for example discussion of problems of land reclamation or pathways to food chains; second, the book is mainly concerned with the U.K. and U.S.A. A few more examples from Europe could have emphasized the widespread distribution of lead in air and water. Although not a large volume, this book is well supplemented with tables, figures and references, and it would make an excellent introductory text for university courses, for new research workers and for industrialists needing to appreciate the control, distribution, pathways and action of lead in industrial and natural environments. U.
H.
Dr. Uruworth is in the Department
UNSWORTH
of Physiolqgy and Environmental Studies, UniversiQ of Nottingham, School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonnington, Loughborough LE12 5RD, Li.K.