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Residue Reviews. Residues of Pesticides and Other Foreign Chemicals in Foods and Feeds. Vol. 34.
94
BOOK REVIEWS
Surprisingly, the authors consider that too much emphasis is being placed on the biochemical action of ethanol in the liver and the intracellular mechanisms of alcohol actionwhile more important problems in alcohol research are being neglected. Although this judgement may be justified from a priority point of view, it must be realized that in many biochemical and subcellular studies of the mechanisms behind the toxic actions of foreign compounds, ethanol is used merely as a model compound and is not the main centre of interest. This work of reference should be widely read by specialists in biochemistry, toxicology and clinical medicine and by those involved in the management of alcoholism. The standard of presentation is high, as is the price, but more tables and illustrations could have been included with benefit. A schematic representation of alcohol metabolism and a table of acute toxicity data would, for example, have been helpful. Each chapter is well supported by excellent bibliographies and highly informative summaries, some 1000-1500 words long. Frequent reference is made to published reviews and where possible the greatest attention is given to those areas in which review material is lacking. It is a pity that this work has been bound in two separate volumes as both parts will be of much interest to the majority of readers and unfortunately the subject index appears only in Volume 2. Residue Reviews. Residues of Pesticides and Other Foreign Chemicals in Foods and Feeds. Vol. 34. Edited by F. A. Gunther. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1971. pp. vii q- 184. DM 54. Residue Reviews. Residues of Pesticides and Other Foreign Chemicals in Foods and Feeds. Vol. 35. Edited by F. A. Gunther. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1971. pp. vii -~ 156. DM 52.
Volume 34 of this well-known series leads with an account of the analysis of organophosphorus pesticide residues in 2396 samples of home-produced and imported fruit and vegetables in Sweden during the period 1964-1968. In all, 25 organophosphorus compounds were detected and 0.8 7o of the samples (mainly foreign) contained residues in excess of 0.5 ppm, a common tolerance level. The nine pesticides most frequently found were, in order of descending importance, parathion, ethion, parathion-methyl, diazonin, carbophenothion, azinphos-methyl, trichloronat, fenitrothion and malathion. This report is followed by a chapter dealing with the analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which were first reported as significant environmental pollutants in 1966 by Swedish workers. The difficulties of identifying these compounds in the presence of interfering organochlorine pesticides and of determining organochlorine pesticides in the presence of interfering PCBs are discussed and methods of overcoming these difficulties are presented. Some attention is given to the occurrence of PCBs in the environment and to their toxicity. Although a method is available for the estimation of total PCBs, standards are not yet available for analysis of the individual compounds. It is doubtful, however, whether such complex and costly analyses would be of much value until much more is known of the differences in the toxicity of these individual components. In view of the concern expressed about the potential environmental hazards of these compounds, we may perhaps look forward to further consideration of the problem by Residue Reviews in the near future. The next chapter traces the development of the FDA's method for the multidetection of organochlorine pesticide residues in both fatty and non-fatty foods and feeds. The author presents full details of the method, which has considerably lightened the burden of pesticide monitoring.
B O O K REVIEWS
95
The metabolism of contact insecticides in stored grains was previously reviewed in 1967, particular attention being paid to the environmental and physiological factors involved in such metabolism. The same author has now reviewed progress during 1966-1969. Malathion, lindane and synergized pyrethrins are still the most commonly used, with sumithion, DDVP and bromophos growing in importance. The distribution of insecticides within the individual grain and the site and mechanism of action of the enzymes affecting the pesticides are discussed at length. The influence of natural products and other foreign compounds on pesticide metabolism and persistence in grains is of sufficient magnitude to warrant further study of the interactions between contact protectants and other toxic residues in grain. The volume ends with a short account of pesticide pollution and its control as seen through American eyes. It makes the important point that research into controlling pollution must be combined with correctly-informed public opinion if balanced judgements are to be reached on such important and far-reaching issues. Volume 35 is as much a boon to those concerned with legislation as Volume 34 is to the pesticide analyst--if not more. No less than five of the seven contributions are concerned with some aspect of regulatory control: four on pesticides (in the USSR, Portugal, South Africa and the USA) and one on materials such as containers and packages used in contact with food (Italy). Three contributions describe the government machinery and the obvious issues involved in the regulation of pesticides, as experienced in the USSR, Portugal and South Africa. It is noteworthy that of these three countries only the USSR had (at the time the papers were written) allocated residue tolerances in food. The account of the US control of pesticides initially refers to the pioneering efforts of the pesticide chemists in the University of California, one of whom, Dr. F. A. Gunther, merits additional tribute for bringing into being and guiding on its way the outstanding Residue Reviews series. The paper then goes on to describe the rapidly changing scene of pesticide regulation in the last decade, with the DDT and 2,4,5-T episodes receiving special consideration. Reference is made to anomalies which may result from conflicts between considerations of health and the strictly legal standpoint in the interpretation of regulations. Still touching on regulatory control is the report of a meeting of Italian experts held in January 1970 to formulate a technical basis for the control of food-packaging and other materials coming into contact with food (e.g. plastics, paper, paperboard, cellophane, rubber, tinplate, stainless steel, aluminium, glass, ceramics, pigments, colouring matters and coatings). Methods for determining the migration of contaminants into food and their applicability to various materials are discussed but no specific details of toxicological requirements are mentioned. The remaining two chapters deal, respectively, with the interaction of herbicides and soil microflora and with pesticide and growth-regulator residues in pineapples. The former reviews the inhibitory effects of herbicides on microflora and the counter-attack by microflora on herbicide stability and persistence. Little is known of the organisms responsible for herbicide degradation. The second paper discusses the application of insecticides, herbicides, soil fumigants and growth regulators on pineapple plantations in Hawaii and the analytical findings on resultant residues in the fruit.
Aidrin, Dieldrin, Endrin and Telodrin. An Epidemiological and Toxicological Study of Longterm Occupational Exposure. By K. W. Jager. Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1970. pp. iv + 234. £3.50. This book differs from most others on pesticide toxicology in that its main objective is to r.c.r. 10/1--o
BOOK REVIEWS
Surprisingly, the authors consider that too much emphasis is being placed on the biochemical action of ethanol in the liver and the intracellular mechanisms of alcohol actionwhile more important problems in alcohol research are being neglected. Although this judgement may be justified from a priority point of view, it must be realized that in many biochemical and subcellular studies of the mechanisms behind the toxic actions of foreign compounds, ethanol is used merely as a model compound and is not the main centre of interest. This work of reference should be widely read by specialists in biochemistry, toxicology and clinical medicine and by those involved in the management of alcoholism. The standard of presentation is high, as is the price, but more tables and illustrations could have been included with benefit. A schematic representation of alcohol metabolism and a table of acute toxicity data would, for example, have been helpful. Each chapter is well supported by excellent bibliographies and highly informative summaries, some 1000-1500 words long. Frequent reference is made to published reviews and where possible the greatest attention is given to those areas in which review material is lacking. It is a pity that this work has been bound in two separate volumes as both parts will be of much interest to the majority of readers and unfortunately the subject index appears only in Volume 2. Residue Reviews. Residues of Pesticides and Other Foreign Chemicals in Foods and Feeds. Vol. 34. Edited by F. A. Gunther. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1971. pp. vii q- 184. DM 54. Residue Reviews. Residues of Pesticides and Other Foreign Chemicals in Foods and Feeds. Vol. 35. Edited by F. A. Gunther. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1971. pp. vii -~ 156. DM 52.
Volume 34 of this well-known series leads with an account of the analysis of organophosphorus pesticide residues in 2396 samples of home-produced and imported fruit and vegetables in Sweden during the period 1964-1968. In all, 25 organophosphorus compounds were detected and 0.8 7o of the samples (mainly foreign) contained residues in excess of 0.5 ppm, a common tolerance level. The nine pesticides most frequently found were, in order of descending importance, parathion, ethion, parathion-methyl, diazonin, carbophenothion, azinphos-methyl, trichloronat, fenitrothion and malathion. This report is followed by a chapter dealing with the analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which were first reported as significant environmental pollutants in 1966 by Swedish workers. The difficulties of identifying these compounds in the presence of interfering organochlorine pesticides and of determining organochlorine pesticides in the presence of interfering PCBs are discussed and methods of overcoming these difficulties are presented. Some attention is given to the occurrence of PCBs in the environment and to their toxicity. Although a method is available for the estimation of total PCBs, standards are not yet available for analysis of the individual compounds. It is doubtful, however, whether such complex and costly analyses would be of much value until much more is known of the differences in the toxicity of these individual components. In view of the concern expressed about the potential environmental hazards of these compounds, we may perhaps look forward to further consideration of the problem by Residue Reviews in the near future. The next chapter traces the development of the FDA's method for the multidetection of organochlorine pesticide residues in both fatty and non-fatty foods and feeds. The author presents full details of the method, which has considerably lightened the burden of pesticide monitoring.
B O O K REVIEWS
95
The metabolism of contact insecticides in stored grains was previously reviewed in 1967, particular attention being paid to the environmental and physiological factors involved in such metabolism. The same author has now reviewed progress during 1966-1969. Malathion, lindane and synergized pyrethrins are still the most commonly used, with sumithion, DDVP and bromophos growing in importance. The distribution of insecticides within the individual grain and the site and mechanism of action of the enzymes affecting the pesticides are discussed at length. The influence of natural products and other foreign compounds on pesticide metabolism and persistence in grains is of sufficient magnitude to warrant further study of the interactions between contact protectants and other toxic residues in grain. The volume ends with a short account of pesticide pollution and its control as seen through American eyes. It makes the important point that research into controlling pollution must be combined with correctly-informed public opinion if balanced judgements are to be reached on such important and far-reaching issues. Volume 35 is as much a boon to those concerned with legislation as Volume 34 is to the pesticide analyst--if not more. No less than five of the seven contributions are concerned with some aspect of regulatory control: four on pesticides (in the USSR, Portugal, South Africa and the USA) and one on materials such as containers and packages used in contact with food (Italy). Three contributions describe the government machinery and the obvious issues involved in the regulation of pesticides, as experienced in the USSR, Portugal and South Africa. It is noteworthy that of these three countries only the USSR had (at the time the papers were written) allocated residue tolerances in food. The account of the US control of pesticides initially refers to the pioneering efforts of the pesticide chemists in the University of California, one of whom, Dr. F. A. Gunther, merits additional tribute for bringing into being and guiding on its way the outstanding Residue Reviews series. The paper then goes on to describe the rapidly changing scene of pesticide regulation in the last decade, with the DDT and 2,4,5-T episodes receiving special consideration. Reference is made to anomalies which may result from conflicts between considerations of health and the strictly legal standpoint in the interpretation of regulations. Still touching on regulatory control is the report of a meeting of Italian experts held in January 1970 to formulate a technical basis for the control of food-packaging and other materials coming into contact with food (e.g. plastics, paper, paperboard, cellophane, rubber, tinplate, stainless steel, aluminium, glass, ceramics, pigments, colouring matters and coatings). Methods for determining the migration of contaminants into food and their applicability to various materials are discussed but no specific details of toxicological requirements are mentioned. The remaining two chapters deal, respectively, with the interaction of herbicides and soil microflora and with pesticide and growth-regulator residues in pineapples. The former reviews the inhibitory effects of herbicides on microflora and the counter-attack by microflora on herbicide stability and persistence. Little is known of the organisms responsible for herbicide degradation. The second paper discusses the application of insecticides, herbicides, soil fumigants and growth regulators on pineapple plantations in Hawaii and the analytical findings on resultant residues in the fruit.
Aidrin, Dieldrin, Endrin and Telodrin. An Epidemiological and Toxicological Study of Longterm Occupational Exposure. By K. W. Jager. Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1970. pp. iv + 234. £3.50. This book differs from most others on pesticide toxicology in that its main objective is to r.c.r. 10/1--o