Emerging Contaminants

Emerging Contaminants: Anticipating Developments examines the factors that have led "new" environmental contaminants to emerge in the past and combines the lessons learned to anticipate potential new developments. The analyses described in this book originate in multiple disciplines: the science of toxicology; environmental law and regulation; the field of product stewardship; and the social science which explains why ideas take hold. Over a dozen case studies of contaminants that emerged as environmental issues over the last hundred years illustrate crucial points. The results of the analyses in this book support a step-by-step method to assess the potential for a contaminant to emerge, and a framework to apply those conclusions to managing site liabilities.

Features:

• Describes an unprecedented understanding of why contaminants emerge as issues, based on a multidisciplinary analysis
• Makes abstract concepts tangible, basing analyses on data and illustrating key points with case studies
• Enables readers to anticipate and prepare to manage future challenges associated with emerging chemicals
• Presents an analytical framework for companies to assess and manage business risks

Written for regulators, policymakers, industry professionals with responsibility for contaminated site management, as well as attorneys, and consultants, this book provides a framework for anticipating the emergence of new contaminants so that the risks–whether to human health and the environment or to a business–can be anticipated and appropriately managed.