Fd Chem l~vic. Vol. 22, No II. pp. 909 911. 1984 027S-6915 84 $3.00-~ 0.{)0 Printed ira Great Britain Pergamtm Pres., l.td

REVIEWS OF R E C E N T PUBLICATIONS

Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Metals. Edited by T. W. Clarkson, G. F. Nordberg & P. R. Sager. Plenum Press. New York, 1983. pp. xviii + 845. $115.00.

This volume presents the proceedings of a sym- posium of thc samc name held at the University of Rochester, New York, in May 1982. The subject of the book is of considerable importance because of the mass of evidence (much of it collected in the book) that tbetal, neonatal and infant stages of life are more sensitive than the adult to the toxic effects of many metals. The reasons tot the higher sensitivity include a higher intake of toxic elements on a per kg basis in infants because of their greater requirements for energy', water and oxygen, and the higher intestinal absorption and lower rate of excretion of metals in neonates. A third and particularly important factor is the sensitivity of the rapidly developing central nervous system during critical prc- and post-natal growth periods to injury by toxic metals. Such injury is usually not readily reversible.

The book is divided into seven main sections, the first of which consists of review articles summarizing the tindings of various working groups that met during the conference. The topics reviewed in this section, namely effects of metals on male and female reproductive systems, teratogenicity and perinatal toxicity, the developing central nervous system, pre- natal aspects of metal metabolism and metabolism of metals in the neonatal period, are treated more expansively by individual contributors in the sub- sequent sections, which comprise the major part of the book. This method of organizing the volume is a very efficient way of presenting what could have becn a large and cumbersome, though comprehensive, collection of information. It allows the reader to obtain an excellent overview of the major aspects of the toxicity ol" metals towards reproduction and development in man. and to gain easy access to detailed information on areas of particular interest.

The book is to be highly recommended as a comprehensive treatment of a very important and somewhat neglected subject in toxicology.

Residue Reviews: Residues of Pesticides and Other Contaminants in the Total Environment. Vol. 89. Edited by' F. A. Gunther. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. 1983. pp. viii + 213. DM 72.00.

Increasing concern about the contamination of human milk with environmental and occupational chemicals led the Danish health authorities to com- mission the literature survey that occupies more than half of this volume. It has been clear for some time that human milk from all parts of the world is likely to contain persistent environmental chemicals, partic- ularly fat-soluble or protein-bound compounds with a tendency to accumulate in biological systems. While the sources of this contamination may be partly

occupational, animal-derived foods are looked upon as a major source. There are great geographical variations in contaminant levels and this review (over 100 pages backed by some 20 pages of references collected up to September 1982) presents a consider- able amount of data, much in tabular form

However, there remains the big question as to how significant all this is tbr the health of the inl~mt, Occasionally, major accidents have led to acute effects in sucklings and the immaturity of neonatal enzyme systems, blood-brain barriers and absorption/distribution excretion balances would bc expected to make infants more vulnerable than adults to some contaminants, especially' heavy metals. Moreover the fact that milk secretion seems to be the most effective route [br eliminating persistent organohalogens from the human bod,, might bc viewed as a weak link in the systems o1" parental protection of the young. Yet this survey found no clear evidence that the existing levels of background contamination have adverse effects that might out- weigh the recognized advantages of breast feeding. All the same, in the inevitable absence of prolonged and comprehensive epidemiological studies, it would seem prudent to keep levels of contamination under close scrutiny and as low as possible. A paper exercise like the one considered here should contribute to this aim.

Somewhat shor te r -bu t still extensive --is another literature survey, on the mutagenicity of 91 insecticides. 18 acaricides and six nematocides. This review, mainly of literature published before 1982, is slanted towards pesticides used in Belgium and gener- ally permitted there as residues in or on [hods. Unlike the previous chapter, in which the tables- though lengthy--are simple to tbllow, the attempt here to tabulate fairly complex test results has necessitated frequent use of explanatory footnotes: particularly afflicted is the table of Ames test results in various Salmonella typhimurium strains. Other mutagcnicit3. tests in prokaryotes (including E,scherichia coi l Serratia marcescens and Bacillus suhtilis) are also considered. In presenting their facts, the authors have taken care to avoid ambiguity by identil~ing the chemical name and CAS number lbr each of the materials considered, but the data do not lend them- selves to conclusion or interpretation -and none is attempted.

This volume ends with a survey' of methods avail- able for the analysis of specified pyrethroid com- pounds. Like the one before it, this chapter must bc identified as informative rather than exciting reading.

Fundamental Immunology. Edited by W. E. Paul. Raven Press, New York. 1984. pp. xvii + 809. $99.50.

This textbook cannot be praised too highly for the lucid and thorough manner in which it deals with the principal topics of contemporary immunology. The

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