Modern Poisons
By Alan Kolok (PhD'91)
(Island Press, 224 pages; 2016)
Modern Poisons introduces the uninitiated reader to some of the subtleties and nuances of toxicology, as well as some of the most pressing challenges created by chemicals today. This accessible book explains basic toxicology principles in plain language while illuminating timely topics such as BPA and the carcinogenic effects of pesticides. Highlights include studies of toxic chemicals in toiletries and prescriptions, the toxicology of drug addiction and dependency, and the emerging science on prions, which are known to cause a number of degenerative brain diseases.
This book fills the gap between traditional textbooks, popular science, and cutting-edge journal articles. For scientists, students, and interested layman alike, Modern Poisons offers a core understanding of—and curiosity about—this fast-changing field.