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The Europaische Akademie Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler GmbH is concerned
with the scientific study ofthe consequences of scientific and
technological advance for the individual, society and the natural
environment and, therefore, not least with the study of
consequences of recent developments in life-sciences and medical
disci- plines. The Europaische Akademie intends to contribute to
find a rational way for society to deal with the consequences of
scientific progress. This aim is mainly realised by proposing
recommendations for options of action with long-term social
acceptance. The work of the Europaische Akademie mostly takes place
in tempo- rary interdisciplinary project groups, whose members are
recognised scientists from European universities and other
independent institutes. In the light of recent discussions on the
validity of scientific assumptions con- cerning the extrapolation
ofharmful effects into the low-dose range the Europais- che
Akademie set up a project on "Lew-Dose Exposures in the Environment
their Risk Assessments and Regulatory Processes" in January 2001.
Experts ofradiobi- ology, toxicology, medical epidemiology,
modelling,jurisprudence, psychology and philosophy from different
European countries wcre brought together to discuss cur- rent
scientific developments in environmental standard setting and risk
evaluation of substances and ionising radiation at very low doses
in order to ensure rational, efficient, and fair decisions. I am
glad that by means ofthis memorandum, that continues our work on
envi- ronmental standards and after our recommendations with
respect to the regulation ofcombined agents we can now focus on the
effects and the regulation ofharmful agents in the very low-dose
range.
The ever-increasing release of harmful agents due to human
activities has led in some areas of the world to heavy pollution.
In order to protect human health and the environment, environmental
standards that shall limit the release and the concentration of
those toxic agents in the environment and hence the exposure to it
have to be established. The related assessment and decision-making
procedures have to be based on solid scientific data about the
effects and mechanisms of these agents as well as on ethical,
social and economic aspects. For risk evaluation, the knowledge of
the dose response curve is an essential prerequisite. Dose
responses without a threshold dose are most critical in this
connection. Such dose responses are assumed for mutagenic and
carcinogenic effects, which, therefore, dominate also the
discussion in this book. In the environmentally important low dose
range, risk estimation can only be achieved by extrapolation from
higher doses with measurable effects. The extrapolation is
accompanied with uncertainties which makes risk evaluation as well
as risk communication frequently problematic. In order to ensure
rational efficient and fair decisions beyond a sound scientific
assessment the dialogue between disciplines, with the affected
people and with the general public is necessary. In this book, the
whole range of relevant and essential aspects of risk evaluation
and standard setting is addressed. Starting with the ethical
foundations, the sound analysis of recent scientific findings sets
the frame for further reflections by theory of cognition,
psychosocial sciences, and jurisprudence. The authors end up with
concluding recommendations for coping with the recentproblems of
standard setting in the field of environmentally relevant low
doses. The book is designed to a readership of scientists,
legislators, administrators, and the interested public.
This book provides for the first time a single comprehensive source
of information on the analytical chemistry of nicotine and related
alkaloids. The editors have brought together scientists from
academia and the tobacco industry to describe the state-of-the-art
of the chemistry and analytical methods for measurement of
nicotine. Both the scope and detail of the book are impressive.
Chapters describe the history, pharmacology and toxicology of
nicotine, the biosynthesis of nicotine and other alkaloids in the
tobacco plant, the general chemistry of nicotine and the analytical
methodologies that have been used to measure nicotine and related
alkaloids in biological specimens, in tobacco and pharmaceutical
products and in tobacco smoke. There is also a comprehensive review
of the chemistry and toxicology of nicotine-derived nitrosamines,
an important class of tobacco carcinogens.
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