Book excerpt: Handbook of Hazardous Materials is a one-volume compendium of hazardous materials that discusses the toxic effects of these materials on human health and the global environment. It provides comprehensive coverage of individual toxic elements, covers hazardous material groups, and includes more general articles such as evaluation and testing of carcinogens, transport of pollutants, and inhalation toxicology. The fully referenced articles are presented in alphabetical order. The book features a subject index as well as numerous cross-references.Individual articles are preceded by a topical outline and discuss the origin, prevalence, mechanisms of toxicity and damaging effects of each hazardous material.Comprehensive coverage of individual toxic elements, includingAsbestosAlarLeadMercuryCoverage of hazardous material groups, such asPesticidesFood additivesNitrogen compoundsMore general articles, such asEvaluation and testing of carcinogensTransport of pollutantsInhalation toxicology