Air Pollutants and the Respiratory Tract / Edition 2

by W. Michael Foster, Daniel L. Costa

Overview

Emphasizing the impact of air toxins and contaminants on human health, this Second Edition examines the latest research from the epidemiology to the cellular mechanisms underlying cardiopulmonary responses to air pollution. This guide offers chapters that address the basic biology, techniques, and clinical practices used to monitor and assess acute and chronic pollutant responses; the effects of specific air toxins and contaminants on various populations chronically exposed to these compounds; and the complex issues associated with translating science to public health policy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780824723736
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/12/2005
Series:	Lung Biology in Health and Disease Series , #204
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

W. Michael Foster, Daniel L. Costa

Table of Contents

Air Pollution and Health Effects: Evidence from Epidemiologic Studies. Particle Dosimetry in the Respiratory Tract. Bioavailability of Particle-Associated Air Pollutants and Relationship to Cardiopulmonary Injury. Genetic Susceptibility Factors in the Cardio-Pulmonary Response to Air Pollution. Air Pollutants, Epithelial Surfaces and Lung Disease. Irritant Agonists and Air Pollutants: Neurologically Mediated Respiratory and Cardiovascular Responses. Signal Transduction and Cytokine Expression in PM-Induced Airway Remodeling. Chronic Exposure and Susceptibility to Oxidant Air Pollutants. Occupational and Environmental Exposures to Fibers and Ultrafine Particles: Mechanisms of Pulmonary Toxicity. Biological Airborne Pollutants. Combustion Emissions: Contribution to Air Pollution, Human Exposure, and Risk for Cancer. Air Pollution, Public Health, and Regulatory Considerations

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: John T. Pierce, MBBS (MD) PhD(Navy Environmental Health Center)
Description: Joining the Lung Biology in Health and Disease series, this book echoes concerns about air pollution and its myriad health effects. The second edition is championed by Drs. Foster and Costa, practicing and researching in North Carolina. Although this edition shares the original book's title, it now focuses on the response of the cardiorespiratory system to respiratory irritants.
Purpose: Although it is only six years since the original publication, the press of new air pollution data and interpretations argue for contemporary knowledge. The final collection of review papers serves as a reference source for environmental scientists. The book's highest goal relates to the integration of laboratory-based investigations and epidemiologic studies, along with physiologic, developmental, and genetic findings.
Audience: The editors indicate that they trust their second edition will prove popular among the scientific community, providing insights into basic health implications of ambient air pollutants, along with a comprehensive review of the existing science base.
Features: Organized into 12 chapters, the book combines contemporary biology and medicine with a physical science viewpoint. To wit, a quick read of its index reveals nearly equal entries in terms of classical aerosol physics (aspect ratio, ambient air quality and Six Cities studies) versus the new language of biology (C-jun-N-terminal kinases, the autonomic nervous system and epidermal growth factor receptor). A broad range of topics includes epidemiologic evidence, particle dosimetry, the relationship to cardiopulmonary injury, genetic susceptibility, epithelial surface issues, irritant agonists and air pollutants, signal transduction, chronic exposure and susceptibility, pulmonary toxicity of fibers and nano-particles, biological airborne pollutants, and combustion emissions and air pollution.
Assessment: This book chronicles a new era of heightened concern regarding air pollution. Its final chapter indicates the risk increment accompanying each air pollutant increase might be viewed as small. Professor Lippmann concludes by saying that with the entire population at risk, the public health impacts are actually quite large. This book should not be far from any contemporary discussion of the mechanisms and air pollution-related health effects that it chronicles.

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5 Stars! from Doody