Extraction Methods for Environmental Analysis is the first book to bring together all the extraction techniques used for analysis of liquid and solid environmental samples, including solid phase extraction and micro--extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, microwave--assisted extraction and accelerated solvent extraction. The book is divided into two sections -- solid sample preparation and liquid sample preparation -- to facilitate access, and each section starts with a summary of methods available. The techniques are compared and contrasted by means of 70 bar charts, all in two colours, and 32 tables. Relative merits of the techniques are discussed to enable the user to select the most appropriate technique for their sample and method of analysis. Extraction Methods for Environmental Analysis is essential reading for anyone involved in environmental analysis.

Decision Making near the End of Life provides a comprehensive overview of the recent developments that have impacted decision-making processes within the field of end-of-life care. The most current developments in all aspects of major underlying issues such as public attitudes, the impact of media, bioethics, and legal precedent provide the background information for the text. The authors examine various aspects of end-of-life choices and decision-making, including communication (between and among family, medical personnel, the dying person), advance directives, and the emergence of hospice and palliative care institutions. The book also explores a variety of psychosocial considerations that arise in decision-making, including religion/spirituality, family caregiving, disenfranchised and diverse groups, and the psychological and psychiatric problems that can impact both the dying person and loved ones. Case studies and first-person stories about decision-making, written by professionals in the field, bring a uniquely personal touch to this valuable text.

This volume will provide a comprehensive overview of the recent developments that have impacted decision-making processes within the field of end-of-life care. The most current developments in all aspects of major underlying issues such as public attitudes, the impact of media, bioethics, and legal precedent will provide the background information for the text. A series of chapters examines various aspects of end-of-life choices and decision-making, including communication (between and among family, medical personnel, the dying person, etc.), advance directives, and the emergence of hospice and palliative care institutions. The book also explores a variety of psychosocial considerations that arise in decision-making, including religion/spirituality, family caregiving, disenfranchised and diverse groups, and the psychological and psychiatric problems that can impact both the dying person and loved ones. Additionally, a number of moving first-person stories about decision-making, written by professionals in the field, bring a uniquely personal touch to the text.

The continued search for rapid, efficient and cost-effective means of analytical measurement has introduced supercritical fluids into the field of analytical chemistry. Two areas are common: supercritical fluid chroma tography and supercritical fluid extraction. Both seek to exploit the unique properties of a gas at temperatures and pressures above the critical point. The most common supercritical fluid is carbon dioxide, employed because of its low critical temperature (31 DegreesC), inertness, purity, non-toxicity and cheapness. Alternative supercritical fluids are also used and often in conjunction with modifiers. The combined gas-like mass transfer and liquid-like solvating characteristics have been used for improved chroma tographic separation and faster sample preparation. Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) is complementary to gas chro matography ( GC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), providing higher efficiency than HPLC, together with the ability to analyse thermally labile and high molecular weight analytes. Both packed and open tubular columns can be employed, providing the capability to analyse a wide range of sample types. In addition, flame ionization detection can be used, thus providing 'universal' detection.

IX The International Seminar on the Immunological System as a Target for Toxic Damage was held at The Commission of the European Communities (CEC) in Luxembourg on 6-9 November 1984. It was organized by the CEC and the International Programme on Chemical Safety of UNEP/ILO/WHO with the support of the u. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - USA and with the participation of the International Society of Immunophar macology. These bodies are actively concerned with the scientific and applied aspects of immunotoxicology. The Seminar consisted of thirty-four invited papers and three major panel discussions covering current and future test strategies for the screening of immunotoxic substances, hypersensitivity and the health implications of immunotoxico logical problems. It was attended by more than 200 scien tists from 27 countries representing all the Member states of the European Economic Community and the six Regions of the World Health Organization. These scientists represented many different disciplines and interests. The Seminar's principal objectives were: a review of recent advances in knowledge concerning the structure, function and dysfunction of the immunological system; - a review of the effects of xenobiotics on the immune system in animals and humans; an examination of the human health implications of immunotoxicity; discussion and critical analysis of the procedures for the assessment of immunological damage, a discussion of needs for the further development of laboratory and epidemiological methods and their validation, and a consideration of current test strategies."

This text focuses on the techniques used to assess the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of metals and persistent organic pollutants in environmental samples. The opening chapter considers the link between human health and contaminated land. Then, the different sample preparation techniques applied to solid and liquid samples for elemental analysis are discussed - in particular, the need to destroy the matrix by heat and/or acid(s) for solid samples whereas in the case of liquids the emphasis is on pre-concentration and/or separation of metals from solution. The book continues to evaluate the different sample preparation techniques applied to solid and liquid sample preparation technique applied for single and sequential extraction of metals from soils and sediments. Chapter 5 evaluates the different sample preparation techniques for non-exhaustive extraction (Cyclodextrin, Supercritical-fluid extraction, subcritical water extraction, solid-phase microextraction and membrane separations) of persistent organic pollutants from soils and sediments. In addition, a mathematical approach to predict weak and strong solvents, based on the Hildebrand solubility parameter, is proposed. In chapter 6, the different techniques for assessing the oral bioaccessiblity of metals and persistent organic pollutants from solid environmental samples are considered. The penultimate chapter presents four case studies taken from the author's own laboratory, as follows: The first of these considers the uptake of metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) by plants grown in compost under green house conditions. The second considers teh oral bioaccessibility of metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) from plants grown oncontaminated compost using an in vitro gastrointestinal extraction approach. Case study three discusses the uptake of persistent organic pollutants (x-endosulfan, -endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate) by lettuce plants grown in compost. Finally, case study four looks at the oral bioaccessibility of persistent organic pollutants by lettuce plants grown in compost using an in vitro gastrointestinal extraction approach.

This book also contains a useful collection of data sheets that could be used to record laboratory information a the time of carrying out the experiments, plus a guide to selected resources.

The book provides an up-to-date account of inductively coupled plasmas and their use in atomic emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Specific applications of the use of these techniques are highlighted including applications in environmental, food and industrial analysis. It is written in a distance learning / open learning style; suitable for self study applications. It contains contain self-assessment and discussion questions, worked examples and case studies that allow the reader to test their understanding of the presented material.

This book covers one of the most neglected areas in environmental trace analysis, namely that of sample preparation. The text discusses all of the necessary steps for analysing a sample for both trace metals and organics, from the initial sampling protocols, through the range of possible sample preparation methods, and leading finally to the analysis and recording of data. Detailed information is provided on the specific methods to follow for preparing a sample for metal and organic analyses.

The topics covered include the following:

• Basic laboratory skills

• Investigative approaches for sample preparation

• Sampling

• Storage of samples

• Sample preparation for inorganic analysis - solids and liquids

• Sample preparation for organic analysis - solids, liquids and volatile compounds

• Pre-concentration approaches

• Instrumental techniques for trace analysis

• Up-to-date information on the latest developments in sample preparation for metals and organics.

• Written in an open learning/distance learning style, it is ideal for use as a self-study guide or as the basis of a taught course.

• The provision of a comprehensive bibliography to guide the reader to more specialized texts and sources.