Book excerpt: Red tides in the sea and bright green lakes and rivers are becoming features of our degraded world environment. These events, caused by algae and the toxins they produce, are often associated with poisoning of people or livestock resulting in injury to health and economic loss. This volume provides definitive information on the identification of toxin marine and freshwater algae, the routine analysis and effects of algal toxins, their veterinary and public health impact, and on control measures in current use. Professionals in the food and water industry, and those working in public health and environmental ecology will find this book extremely useful.