Our understanding of the quantitative aspects of free radical chemistry and the involvement of radicals in such areas as biology, medicine, the environment, etc., has developed spectacularly over recent years, yet the various topics are commonly discussed separately, in specific meetings and specialised publications. Free Radicals in Biology and Environment draws together two important areas of free radical chemistry, using as a bridge the fundamental physical chemistry of free radicals (spectroscopic detection of free radicals, evaluation of absolute rate constants, elucidation of mechanisms of free radical reactions and catalysis, photochemical and radiation processes, etc.). The most relevant topics covered are the EPR detection of radicals in biochemical systems and in pollutant formation and degradation, oxidation processes in biology and in the troposphere, radiation and induced damage, and atmospheric pollutants arising from incomplete combustion. Also covered are the chemistry and biochemistry of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite, the chemistry and biochemistry of DNA radicals, the role of radicals in myeloperoxidase, lignineperoxidase, radicals and cardiovascular injury, radiation and the fragmentation of cells and tissues.

Free-radical reactions have been for long time the domain of the physical chemists and the basic chemical industry (polymerization of vinyl monomers, oxidation by molecular oxygen, chlorination of methane etc.), where the use of simple molecules and the possibility of partial conversions without heavy problems of product separations makes less dramatic the aspects of regio and chemoselectivity. As synonym of unselectivity, free radical reactions were considered of poor use in the synthesis of fine chemicals or sophisticated molecules, where a high selectivity is an essential condition for the success, or in the involvement of biological processes. Within the last 15 years, however, an authentic explosion of synthetic applications of free radical reactions occurred; they have gained a remarkable position among the selective methods of synthesis. At the same time the great importance of free radical reactions in fundamental biological processes and in the metabolism of drugs has been recognized. Thus a specialized meeting on these topics was generally felt appropriate. I had the honour and the onus to organize this workshop because for more than 30 years I have been involved in the research of free radical reactions. Thanks to a generous grant from NATO Scientific Affairs Division and the financial support of CNR and chemical industry (Montedison, Enichem, Zambon) such a meeting among almost 50 specialists and 15 observers of sufficient standard to take advantage of the discussion, became possible at Bardolino (Italy).

Our understanding of the quantitative aspects of free radical chemistry and the involvement of radicals in such areas as biology, medicine, the environment, etc., has developed spectacularly over recent years, yet the various topics are commonly discussed separately, in specific meetings and specialised publications. Free Radicals in Biology and Environment draws together two important areas of free radical chemistry, using as a bridge the fundamental physical chemistry of free radicals (spectroscopic detection of free radicals, evaluation of absolute rate constants, elucidation of mechanisms of free radical reactions and catalysis, photochemical and radiation processes, etc.). The most relevant topics covered are the EPR detection of radicals in biochemical systems and in pollutant formation and degradation, oxidation processes in biology and in the troposphere, radiation and induced damage, and atmospheric pollutants arising from incomplete combustion. Also covered are the chemistry and biochemistry of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite, the chemistry and biochemistry of DNA radicals, the role of radicals in myeloperoxidase, lignineperoxidase, radicals and cardiovascular injury, radiation and the fragmentation of cells and tissues.