Aluminum, bound almost exclusively to oxygen in various combinations, is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust and, therefore, of great commercial potential. Once methods were developed (in the 1880's) to free useable quantities of the element from oxygen, applications for the element began developing rapidly. This growth has resulted in the ubiquity of the metal in today's world. Therefore it can be found intentionally introduced in many products in direct contact with human beings. It is commonly known that soluble forms of aluminum aretoxic to living organisms. However, aluminum is not known to be bioavailable under everyday conditions. In fact, the solubility product of common aluminum compounds, such as AI(OH)3 is so low as to make it essentially unavailable. This volume of Structure and Bonding seeks to provide in one source, a resource where the basic science related to aluminum toxicity may be obtained. It should be stressed that this volume is not intended to be a warning to avoid contact with aluminum. Living organisms have adequate defenses to prevent aluminum toxicity under normal conditions. Rather the volume was created to simply provide an understanding of the biological effects of aluminum. As such, the present volume should be considered in the context of the companion volumes in this three part series of Structure and Bonding. The first volume was devoted to fundamental developments in group 13 chemistry.

Aluminum, bound almost exclusively to oxygen in various combinations, is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust and, therefore, of great commercial potential. Once methods were developed (in the 1880's) to free useable quantities of the element from oxygen, applications for the element began developing rapidly. This growth has resulted in the ubiquity of the metal in today's world. Therefore it can be found intentionally introduced in many products in direct contact with human beings. It is commonly known that soluble forms of aluminum aretoxic to living organisms. However, aluminum is not known to be bioavailable under everyday conditions. In fact, the solubility product of common aluminum compounds, such as AI(OH)3 is so low as to make it essentially unavailable. This volume of Structure and Bonding seeks to provide in one source, a resource where the basic science related to aluminum toxicity may be obtained. It should be stressed that this volume is not intended to be a warning to avoid contact with aluminum. Living organisms have adequate defenses to prevent aluminum toxicity under normal conditions. Rather the volume was created to simply provide an understanding of the biological effects of aluminum. As such, the present volume should be considered in the context of the companion volumes in this three part series of Structure and Bonding. The first volume was devoted to fundamental developments in group 13 chemistry.

The first one-volume guide to sources of contamination in pharmaceuticals and medical devices Most books dealing with contaminants in medicinal products often focus on analytical methods for detecting nonspecific impurities. Key to the work of the pharmaceutical chemist, this unique reference helps identify the sources of contamination in medicinal and pharmaceutical products and medical devices. Divided into three parts, Sources of Contamination in Medicinal Products and Medical Devices covers chemical, microbiological, and physical (particulate matter) contamination, including those originating from sterilization procedures. As compelling as a medical documentary, the book sheds light on how impurities and contaminants can enter the human body transported via a specific product or treatment. Focusing on only those medicinal products and medical devices that may lead to exposure to contaminants harmful to human health, the book offers a comprehensive, systematic look at the entire universe of medical contamination: * Chemical contaminants including residual solvents, catalyst residuals, and genotoxic impurities in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) * Diagnostic imaging agents (i.e., radiopharmaceuticals and contrast agents) * Microbiological and endotoxin contamination involving single and multiple dose products, medical devices, and biofilms * Contamination from sterilization procedures, residuals from radiation sterilization, ionizing radiation on packaging materials and medical devices * Medicinal gases and volatile anesthetics * Biopharmaceuticals including recombinant DNA technology products * Extractables and leachables from containers made of glass, plastics, and metal Each section of the book contains information on what contaminants could be expected in a particular product, and how they were generated and reached that product. With up-to-date regulatory guidelines for determining contamination, as well as methods for assessing, quantifying, avoiding and removing contaminants, Sources of Contamination in Medicinal Products and Medical Devices is essential to fully understanding the specific threats that undermine the safety of medicines and medical devices.