Engineering-risk Books

Shows trends by example. I think it is abit conservative in it presentations and estimates. Dry.

Biogeodynamics, the study of both physical processes and biological alterations in the environment and their influence on the stored pollutants. This book gives a deep review of state of the art science at the moment, comprising both the geological cycles, chemical parameters like pH and redox, and policy making in Northern Europe. The several chapters, though written in not-too-good English, provide the reader with new and known knowledge that is now bundled in a comprehensive volume. Salomons has written before about heavy metals, and this is probably the reason why this volume mainly focuses on the metal side of the pollutants story. But the several authors consider all environmental factors that correlate with the cycling of these pollutants. In short: a very good book, but I am waiting for a second edition with a wider scope on pollutants and a re-editing of the chapters.

I recently read this book for a graduate level class in pesticides. Although this is an accurate and informative (although a little outdated) account of how risk assessment is done in the United States, I feel like the information was presented in a biased way:

(1) Rodricks minimizes the risks posed by introduced chemicals by emphasizing high accute toxicities of naturally occurring chemicals, without directly addressing the relative prevalance of blowfish toxin, for example, and many widely-used introduced chemicals (i.e. if we're less likely to encounter blowfish toxin, it poses less of a risk to us than common lawn pesticides may pose).
(2) Rodricks mentions several assumptions inherent in doing these risk calculations--assumptions which seem at the surface to err on the side of caution-- but doesn't discuss the arbitrary nature of some of these assumptions and the possible error that may result.
(3) Also, he covers the (then) current requirements for chemical approval, but fails to mention the thousands of chemicals that were approved for use before the current testing regulations were put in place. These chemicals are in the process of being tested according to the new standards, but this testing is taking an unexpectedly long time. To what risks are we exposing ourselves and our environment in the meantime?
(4) When it comes to regulation, Rodricks briefly touches on other considerations, such as economics, politics, and public sentiment. He criticizes the public's "emotional" role in regulation, but when armed with the whole picture, legitimate concerns can be raised on the adequacy of the current state of regulation. Since the public is ultimately assuming the risk associated with the use of these chemicals, I believe public concern is a very valid consideration and has lead to great improvements in the past.

Lastly, this book was published before the focus on endocrine disruptors was established. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that can affect hormone activity in humans and animals (and even plants and bacteria) even when found only in very, very low concentrations. There is mounting evidence supporting this theory, and the EPA is currently establishing standards for testing chemicals for this activity.

That said, I recommend this book for a baseline understanding of chemical risk assessment in the United States, but don't stop here if you want the whole picture.

The book is a useful one for agricultural economists. By far one of the best books I have read on this subject. I would like more books published on agricultural economics and notify me through e-mail details of which is already with you. Thanks.
Balasubramanian.

Margolis presents an interesting thesis of why experts and the public at large often disagree, focusing on often unconscious cognitive effects that cloud rational judgment. Unfortunately, the writing is extremely wordy and laden with often unnecessary examples. As such, the actual valuable analysis is often obscured by unnecessary filler, and it is difficult to sift out the truly important parts of this book.

I was pleasantly surprised with the content. Helpful with my excavation assessments. You will find some useful information.

I expected more reliability data in the book, but the revision of the several aspects of risk analysis are quite good.

One of the more important, but under-reported issues in 21st century international relations is GM (Genetically-Modified) food such as livestock, grains, fruits and vegetables. Specifically, America produces a lot of GM food and would like to export it to other countries, and get other countries to also produce GM food. Other countries, led primarily by the EU countries, are going against GM food, blocking GM food imports, and encouraging many trading partners, such as African countries, to not plant GM food. This book is a series of extended articles that deal with this issue, from the stance that GM food is fine for human consumption. The title declares this book as plainly partisan, and the individual articles by different authors each offer different reasons for the acceptance of GM crops and hence GM food. The book's publication was supported by the American Enterprise Institute, an overtly free-trade conservative think-tank. The contributors lined up for this book are quite impressive, and include one of Greenpeace's cofounders.

The book is written more as a public policy statement, and numerous scientific publications are cited to support the safety of GM food, both in terms of ecological impact and in terms of human consumption. The book also examines the roots of the anti-GM forces in both America and Europe.

I found the book lacking in several respects. First of, it lacks, and should have included a detailed history of how the food we eat is modified by man both at the genotype and phenotype level. Second, the book seems to conclude that there are zero cases of GM food causing harm. I find this hard to believe. When one side says their cause is perfect, I automatically suspect their facts and conclusions. Third, the book should have included several tables listing the various GM crops out there, where they are grown, and why the genetic modification was done in the first place. So overall, not enough context for such a highly partisan book.

This thin book does not do justice to the complexity of construction projects. The serious stuff in design and project management are not discussed, so it is really introductory. Yet, it touches on an important topic. I hope the author will revise it and inject much more needed "meat" into the equation.

Contains specific commentary regarding Health & Safety risks for animal caregivers (e.g. Allergens & Zoonoses). However the general content on the elements of an occupational health program and advice regarding the best use of resources would be useful in many research safety programs.