Toxins are a burning issue. A straightforward guide to a closer understanding of toxins in our daily lives is published by Wiley (March 2011). The Dose Makes the Poison: A Plain-Language Guide to Toxicology, 3rd Edition cuts through the fear generated by the media, which leads to a distortion in many people's conceptions of toxins and chemicals.
The word "toxin" fills many of us with dread. We are exposed to media reports on a daily basis of the damage done to our bodies and to the environment by toxins. Pesticides, food additives, cosmetics, drugs and second-hand smoke are just some of the toxins we are subjected to day in day out, not to mention industrial chemicals. The constant barrage of media reports have led to a general fear of toxins, and of chemicals in general.
The Dose Makes the Poison tells you in clear and simple terms what is and what is not a toxin, and, taking a measured approach, dispels the fear. Toxins are chemicals - every substance in the world is made up of chemicals, whether man-made or naturally-occurring. But what makes a chemical a toxin is the dose, not the chemical itself, whether man-made or naturally-occurring.
The Dose Makes the Poison explains the basics and practice of toxicology, using clear examples from everyday life. One example is the common misconception that naturally-occurring chemicals are not as harmful to us as those that are man-made – botulin is one of the most highly toxic chemicals in existence and is made by bacteria. Another example is the presence in all food (including organic food), of potentially harmful natural chemicals, which only become toxins when in a high enough dose.
This is the third edition of a best-selling book, now with broader scope and updated to include current issues such as drug recalls, food contamination and nanoparticulate toxicants.
A thoroughly accessible and objective discussion of toxicology, The Dose Makes the Poison will be of great interest to all readers, even with no strong science background. It is a must-read for professionals including toxicologists, industrial hygienists, regulatory personnel, product safety workers, and health professionals.
About the Authors
Patricia Frank is president of Patricia Frank & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm founded in 1993 which assists companies in the development and registration of human and veterinary pharmaceutical agents. She is a past president of the American College of Toxicology, a past president of the Roundtable of Toxicology Consultants, a former councilor for the Midwest Regional Society of Toxicology, and the 2008 winner of the SOT's Kenneth DuBois award.
M. Alice Ottoboni lectures, writes, and consults in the field of toxicology. As Staff Toxicologist with the California State Department of Public Health for over twenty years, she originated, designed, and performed numerous toxicological studies of environmentalchemicals important to public health. She is the author of the previous editions of The Dose Makes the Poison.
About Wiley
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Since 1901, Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 350 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology/Medicine, Physics, Chemistry and Peace.
Our core businesses include scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journals, encyclopedias, books, and online products and services; professional/trade publishes books, subscription products, training materials, and online applications and websites; and educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company's Web site can be accessed at www.wiley.com. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb.