The Particulate Air Pollution Controversy: A Case Study and Lessons Learned - Hardcover

Phalen, Robert F.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1402072252 ISBN 13: 9781402072253

Publisher: Springer, 2002

Synopsis

Small invisible particles in the urban air, especially those produced by human activities, have recently stimulated intense scrutiny, debate, regulation, and legal proceedings. The stakes are high, both with respect to health impacts and economic costs, and the methods used previously to resolve similar issues are no longer adequate. Everyone on earth inhales thousands to millions of particles in each breath, so if urban particulate air pollution―particulate matter (PM)―is significantly hazardous, the negative impact on health could be staggering. Yet the activities that generate PM, such as farming, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and generating electricity, are themselves essential to human health and welfare. Scientists, regulators, legislators, activists, judges, lawyers, journalists, and representatives of the business community are actively involved in addressing the question of what should be done. This complex issue presents opportunities for critically assessing the relevant knowledge and for adopting more rigorous approaches to this and similar problems. What is the PM controversy, and why is it a good case study for how science and public policy might better interface? The PM controversy is the sum of the frequently heated debates related to the potential health risks from urban PM.

About this title

Review

"He [Phalen] focuses on the science of the topic...his delivery is aimed at nonspecialists, a difficult combination he achieves quite well. ...Phalen provides extensive references to the scientific literature for those seeking technical detail. Highly recommended."
(Choice, 41:1 (2003)

Synopsis

This concise book presents the relevant scientific data, historical developments, unsolved problems, and new research opportunities related to particulate air pollution and human health. Included are chapters on the nature of particulate air pollution, fates and toxicity of inhaled particles, evidence of harmful effects of air pollution, events that led to the current controversy, interpretation of modern epidemiology studies, needed research, challenges to commonly accepted ideas about pollutants and health, and recommendations for scientists, regulators, legislators, the public and industry.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1402072252
• ISBN 13: 9781402072253
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 142