Environmental Pollution and Control, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

by J. Jeffrey Peirce Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison (Author), P Aarne Vesilind (Author), Ruth Weiner Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University (Author) "Could the Walrus and the Carpenter have been talking about our earth?..." (more)
Key Phrases: seeded dilution water, spiritual environmental ethic, unit lifetime risk, United States, New York, Clean Air Act (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Complex environmental problems are often reduced to an inappropriate level of simplicity. While this book does not seek to present a comprehensive scientific and technical coverage of all aspects of the subject matter, it makes the issues, ideas, and language of environmental engineering accessible and understandable to the nontechnical reader.
Improvements introduced in the fourth edition include a complete rewrite of the chapters dealing with risk assessment and ethics, the introduction of new theories of radiation damage, inclusion of environmental disasters like Chernobyl and Bhopal, and general updating of all the content, specifically that on radioactive waste.

Since this book was first published in 1972, several generations of students have become environmentally aware and conscious of their responsibilities to the planet earth. Many of these environmental pioneers are now teaching in colleges and universities, and have in their classes students with the same sense of dedication and resolve that they themselves brought to the discipline. In those days, it was sometimes difficult to explain what indeed environmental science or engineering was, and why the development of these fields was so important to the future of the earth and to human civilization. Today there is no question that the human species has the capability of destroying its collective home, and that we have indeed taken major steps toward doing exactly that.

And yet, while, a lot has changed in a generation, much has not. We still have air pollution; we still contaminate our water supplies; we still dispose of hazardous materials improperly; we still destroy natural habitats as if no other species mattered. And worst of all, we still continue to populate the earth at an alarming rate. There is still a need for this book, and for the college and university courses that use it as a text, and perhaps this need is more acute now than it was several decades ago.

Although the battle to preserve the environment is still raging, some of the rules have changed. We now must take into account risk to humans, and be able to manipulate concepts of risk management. With increasing population, and fewer alternatives to waste disposal, this problem is intensified. Environmental laws have changed, and will no doubt continue to evolve. Attitudes toward the environment are often couched in what has become known as the environmental ethic. Finally, the environmental movement has become powerful politically, and environmentalism can be made to serve a political agenda.

In revising this book, we have attempted to incorporate the evolving nature of environmental sciences and engineering by adding chapters as necessary and eliminating material that is less germane to today's students. We have nevertheless maintained the essential feature of this book -- to package the more important aspects of environmental engineering science and technology in an organized manner and present this mainly technical material to a nonengineering audience.

This book has been used as a text in courses which require no prerequisites, although a high school knowledge of chemistry is important. A knowledge of college level algebra is also useful, but calculus is not required for the understanding of the technical and scientific concepts.

We do not intend for this book to be scientifically and technically complete. In fact, many complex environmental problems have been simplified to the threshold of pain for many engineers and scientists. Our objective, however, is not to impress nontechnical students with the rigors and complexities of pollution control technology but rather to make some of the language and ideas of environmental engineering and science more understandable.

PAV
JJP
RFW

An introduction to the more important aspects of environmental science and technology.

Well organized and suitable for both the technical and non-technical reader.

Ideal for the student taking courses in this field who does not have an extensive engineering, mathematical, or environmental background.

From the Publisher
Complex environmental problems are often reduced to an inappropriate level of simplicity. While this book does not seek to present a comprehensive scientific and technical coverage of all aspects of the subject matter, it makes the issues, ideas, and language of environmental engineering accessible and understandable to the nontechnical reader. Improvements introduced in the fourth edition include a complete rewrite of the chapters dealing with risk asessment and ethics, the introduction of new theories of radiation damage, inclusion of environmental disasters like Chernobyl and Bhopal, and general updating of all the content, specifically that on radioactive waste.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann; 4 edition (November 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750698993
• ISBN-13: 978-0750698993
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #261,803 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete, accurate and clear, November 2, 2000

By A Customer

I used this book as base for teaching of Environmental Technologies at university. It is really good, easy to follow and addresses the main aspects of environmental pollution control. The only aspect that it does not cover is soil pollution. One strong point: the figures, graphs, exercises are very good!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to environmental pollution issues, October 20, 2000

By	Kevin P. Schultz ""The sun now rose upon ... (Ashburn, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was a text book for my Environmental Security class. I learned a heckuva lot, and I really enjoyed reading it, too. It's well organized and helps you understand some technical issues relating to the environment without going over the non-technical major's head. The study/homework questions at the end of each chapter weren't too difficult and helped a lot in learning the material.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Balance, June 14, 2004

By	Daniel Vallero (Chapel Hill, NC United States) - See all my reviews

I continue to use this book as a practical and teaching resource. It is a good balance between the science and engineering aspects of environmental quality. The examples and problems are understandable for most undergraduates, and can be adapted to be more quantitative, if needed.