A Small Dose of Toxicology, 2nd Edition, Released as Free E-book!

A Small Dose of Toxicology by Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT, is an introductory textbook that examines the health effects of common chemical agents and places toxicology within the framework of our daily lives. Agents covered include not only obvious candidates such as lead, mercury, and solvents, but familiar compounds such as caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Additional chapters cover basic toxicology, targets of toxic agents, and applied toxicology.

This revised and expanded second edition is available only as an e-book and contains numerous hyperlinks to articles and PowerPoint presentations on Toxipedia, as well as additional resources. Head to Healthy World Press to download your copy in EPUB, Kindle MOBI, or PDF formats, and please consider making a donation to support the development of future editions!

Healthy World Press Releases The Alzheimer President!

The Alzheimer President, by Bernard Weiss, was written during Ronald Reagan’s tenure and explores the policy implications of early neurodegenerative disease. The gripping novella raises critical questions lying at the intersection of science and society:

• How good are our tools for detecting incipient neurobehavioral dysfunction?
• How effectively can we ascertain that exposure to a neurotoxic chemical has generated damage to the brain?
• Are we, as a society, prepared to respond when leaders show signs of neurodegenerative disease?

The Alzheimer President captivates readers with its social relevance, engaging characters, and fast-paced plot, and is embellished with beautiful full-color illustrations. Download your copy to your computer or e-reader (in EPUB format, Kindle MOBI format, or PDF format) here!

Healthy World Press, a project of Toxipedia/INND, publishes interdisciplinary books with the goal of uniting the arts and sciences to forge a more healthy and peaceful world.

Arabic Translation of Milestones of Toxicology

الدروس المستفادة: معالم مهمة في علم السموم
The Milestones of Toxicology poster was translated by Ansam Sawalha, Ph.D., Associate prof/ pharmacology and toxicology, Founding director, Poison Control Center, An-Najah National University, Palestinian authority area. To open or download a pdf of the Milestone poster Go HERE.

New Report The Chaos of Cleanup: Analysis of Potential Health and Environmental Impacts of Chemicals in Dispersant Products

Toxipedia Consulting Services, in conjunction with Earthjustice, is proud to announce the release of our latest report looking at the potential threats that oil dispersants and the chemical ingredients found in them may pose to human health and the environment. After the unprecedented use of oil dispersants in response to the Deep Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 concern has been growing about the safety of these products and the regulations in place for their approval and use.

Visit the Oil Dispersant section on Toxipedia to learn more about oil dispersants, their chemical ingredients, and potential threats they pose.

Featured in the New York Times!

Read the August 26 issue of the NYT’s Green: A Blog About Energy and the Environment, which covered "The Chaos of Cleanup" in its article “Impact of Gulf Spill’s Underwater Dispersants Is Examined.”

Download the report The Chaos of Cleanup: Analysis of Potential Health and Environmental Impacts of Chemicals in Dispersant Products

"Scientists must make both science education and community outreach a much more central part of the scientific culture."

-Bruce Alberts, Editor-in-chief, Science magazine (Dec 3, 2010 editorial)

Read Our New Content! 

Nonylphenol and Alkylphenol Ethoxylates

Nonylphenol (NP) and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPE) are the most widely used members of the larger alkylphenol and alkylphenol ethoxylate family of non-ionic surfactants. They are produced in large volumes, with uses that lead to widespread release to the aquatic environment; they are highly toxic to marine organisms and are endocrine disruptors.

Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)

Our new article includes an overview, history, and chart of some of the known ingredients in fracking fluid and their potential health effects. Hydraulic fracturing is now used at almost every natural gas well in the United States. Millions of gallons of chemically laced fluid, known as fracking fluid, are pumped into each gas well. There are growing concerns that these chemicals, often containing proprietary ingredients, as well as the natural gas being released, are affecting the quality and quantity of underground drinking water sources.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

An overview of the commonly prescribed SSRIs, which include antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil) and fluoxetine (Prozac). Content includes mechanism of action, toxicity, side effects, and addiction.

Benzodiazepines

These sedative-hypnotic drugs, when taken alone, have a relatively good safety record. However, when abused in combination with other CNS-depressant agents such as barbiturates or alcohol, depressed respiration, coma, and even death may result.

Marijuana

Learn about marijuana: its history, chemical composition, types, mental and physiological effects, side effects, interactions with other drugs, and more!

Drug Poisoning and Overdose

An overview of the causes, drugs that affect the nervous system, and the effects of poisonings and overdoses on society.

[Wildlife Effects of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals]

An overview of how endocrine disruptors affect invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals.

Triclosan

Triclosan is a synthetic chlorinated aromatic compound with antibacterial properties that has been used widely in many consumer products such as antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, fabrics, and plastics for at least the past 20 years. Its safety is currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency.

Lessons Learned: Looking Back to Go Forward

Lessons Learned is a bi-weekly bulletin focusing on an historical event that provides an important lesson for ensuring a more sustainable and healthy environment, published in the Collaborative on Health and the Environment newsletter. See 50+ Lessons Learned

Current LL

– #52 - 06/28/11 - Nuclear weapons - toxic, wasteful, useless!
– #53 - 07/12/11 - Radiation - good, bad, and ugly - exploited & abused

Explore Issues in Environmental Health Policy!

Dr. Steven Gilbert, director of Toxipedia, contributes monthly responses to emerging policy questions for the Environmental Health Policy Institute at Physicians for Social Responsibility. Read his latest posts below!

Waging War on the Insects, February 24, 2011

It's the Communication, Not the Science, January 13, 2011

The Limits of Technological Solutions, December 15, 2010

Nanoparticles: A Case Study of the Importance of Chemical Policy Reform, November 4, 2010