Environmental-Health Books

"Raffi Cavoukian's vision is a stunning wake-up call for all who care about the world our grandchildren will inherit. This book's exciting new approach to sustainability is an inspiration, for which we owe editors Cavoukian and Olfman great thanks."

This groundbreaking volume is the result of a unique editorial collaboration between two highly dedicated child advocates: acclaimed family musician Raffi Cavoukian and author/scholar Sharna Olfman. Bringing together an outstanding team of experts from diverse disciplines, the editors have created a moving account of the dire political, economic, ecological, and psychological state of the world's children. Through convincing statistics, insightful research evidence, and empathetic prose, the chapters not only clarify the many profound challenges facing children but also offer workable solutions to their ever-growing problems. An indispensable resource for parents, educators, and mental health professionals, and one with a compelling, unified voice strong enough to induce policy makers to start `turning this world around'.

"If you agree that societies are measured by how they treat their children; if you worry that ours is falling calamitously short of the mark; if you yearn for new ideas and a clear vision of how to reshape `a world fit for children', by all means read this sobering, salutary and inspirational book."

This is a book that could make a real difference in the world. Its chapters are written by a dazzling collection of experts in the field of child development, and It's interesting, readable and informative. Highly recommended!

"At this critical point in the history of humankind, the irreducible needs of all children can offer a unifying ethic by which the cultures of our interdependent world might reorder their priorities. Child Honoring is a vision, an organizing principle, and a way of life--a revolution in values that calls for a profound redesign of every sphere of society." --Raffi

With this book, all adults, from parents and teachers to politicians, policy makers, business leaders and scientists, can be inspired to "turn this world around." Psychology professor Sharna Olfman joins children's champion Raffi Cavoukian (known to millions as the troubadour Raffi) to introduce his original philosophy "Child Honoring," a children-first paradigm for creating humane and sustainable cultures. With a foreword by the Dalai Lama, Child Honoring outlines the unprecedented threats to young life that abound at this moment in history--and offers a systemic remedy for societal transformation based on honoring our youngest and "most valuable players."

"Child Honoring" is a corrective lens helping us question everything--from the way we measure economic progress to our stewardship of the planet; from our physical treatment of children, to corporate impact on their minds and bodies; from factory schooling to rampant consumerism. It offers a proactive developmental approach to creating sustainable societies.
As a creed that crosses all faiths and cultures, Child Honoring can become a potent remedy for the most challenging issues of our time. This reader-friendly book brings attention to the need to detoxify our world, safeguard fetal and infant development, ban corporal punishment, create family-friendly policies in business and employment, curb corporate advertising to children, and recognize the importance of protecting biodiversity. This book will inspire thought--and provoke action--by all who read it.

Raffi's brilliant introduction to the book also includes
A COVENANT FOR HONORING CHILDREN:
"We find these joys to be self-evident:
That all children are created whole, endowed with innate intelligence, with dignity and wonder, worthy of respect.
The embodiment of life, liberty and happiness, children are original blessings, here to learn their own song.
Every girl and boy is entitled to love, to dream, and to belong to a loving "village."
And to pursue a life of purpose.
We affirm our duty to nourish and nurture the young, to honor their caring ideals as the heart of being human.
To recognize the early years as the foundation of life, and to cherish the contribution of young children to human evolution.
We commit ourselves to peaceful ways and vow to keep from harm or neglect these, our most vulnerable citizens.
As guardians of their prosperity we honor the bountiful Earth whose diversity sustains us.
Thus we pledge our love for generations to come."

Contributors to this anthology include Penelope Leach, Lloyd Axworthy, Riane Eisler, Barbara Kingsolver, ecological economist Ron Colman, indigenous educator Lorna Williams, Matthew Fox, author of The Corporation Joel Bakan, and physicist Fritjof Capra.

"Child Honoring, the book and the project, can bring us back to life. No initiative I know carries more galvanizing power of truth. It breaks open the heart and lets the light shine through, to ignite our deepest passions." --Joanna Macy, author of World As Lover, World As Self

As an Electrical Engineer, I found this book to be a learning tool in the areas of non-fossil fuel power.Should be required reading for undergraduate science majors.

S.J. Clarke MSEE

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although I picked it up for its scientific information, Ramsey and Modarres have also included some of the intrigue that we all know exists within the industry. I found the geo-political and cross-industrial information insightful. I'd love to see more on this... like, "who wants to kill off the nuclear power industry? And why?"

If you want to learn more about the Commerical Nuclear Power - Is it safe? Where are we now? Where are we going? This is the book to read. It's all here! Yes, it's technical, but obviously written to be understood by the layperson as well. Thanks!

This book, though somewhat technical, is a primer in the problems and great potential of nuclear power. It dissolves the fog of "junk science" perpetuated by some environmentalist groups and the Press in particular. A must read if you want to have an informed, accurate opinion as a 21st century power consumer.

"Commercial Nuclear Power" is a must-read book for anyone with an interest in nuclear energy specifically, or with electricity production and consumption generally. The book is fairly technical, and would be most easily understood by people with some basic knowledge of chemistry, physics, or engineering; having said that, the authors are very good at explaining difficult ideas from general concept to specific application, which makes the book comprehensible to an average reader. One thing that makes the book easier to digest is the lack of higher math, which is frequently where this subject can bog down for non-professionals.

I like the book especially because I appreciate the focus the authors have on system safety, including human factors issues (and the use of simulation in training). The book is great at presenting all sides of the nuclear debate, and provides the necessary background to really grasp the vital elements of nuclear safety systems. The section on Accident Sequence Precursors (ASP) is particularly strong, and demonstrates the efforts undertaken to prevent accidents by the study of minor incidents and precursors. Specific methods are discussed in terms of different types of Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), as well, which effectively shows how the pieces of the puzzle fit together (although I disagree with one of the procedural steps in Figure 2-3 "Accident Sequence Precursor Analysis" on page 117). This plus the discussion of the "Defense In Depth" (Chapter Four) concept are the most useful components of the book from a safety perspective.

There is a very good discussion of all radioactive elements, including their decay properties, and good background information on the basic physics involved in actual practice. The discussion of core thermal hydraulic design, reactivity control, Doppler effect considerations, and the remainder of Chapter Three ("Control and Safety Systems") is particularly well written and interesting, though Chapter Four ("Accident Prevention") is probably the single most valuable chapter in the book for safety professionals.

The book concludes with several interesting documents, including a forecast to 2015 of expected electricity consumption by country, and deals with the problems each nation faces in energy production decisions, with good coverage of the problems in China and Africa.

This book is invaluable for nuclear safety professionals, students of nuclear energy, or concerned citizens. It is the single most readable and comprehensive background book on nuclear power that I have yet seen, and I recommend it very highly.

Bonnye Matthews has obviously worked very hard to bring us this summary of biochemical science and medicine research on the topic of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). For people with MCS or who want to learn about it strictly from the point of view of the biochemical system in the research-outcome model, this is an invaluable book. If your priority is the much over-rated "scientific proof" that MCS is real and not psychosomatic, because you can't think outside that box, or perhaps more importantly, if you need that sort of documentation to present to people who think that way and only that way, this book will speak to you. There is much of value, I would imagine, for someone attempting to navigate the system for medical benefits, disability, or for other legal situations.
However, as a practitioner who specializes in the SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF MCS, I found this book wearisome and depressing. I was hoping to find some cutting-edge theory. There is little theory in this book, and nothing ground-breaking, inspiring or exciting. In fact, it is extremely depressing. There is nothing here to challenge the mainstream view that MCS is untreatable. As usual, Medical Dieties decide if they can't treat something then nobody else can. Certainly MCS is tantamount in pointing out the errors of "better living through chemistry" thinking. If a person can't handle exposure to chemicals and the only medicine you can offer is CHEMICALS, it should be glaringly obvious that the medicine will not only fail, but will make the person sicker. This is one of the many reasons why natural medicine is so practical, and has withstood the test of time as well as tremendous efforts at total eradication of said medicine. There is no mention of natural medicine in this book, however.
Probably the most worthwhile part of the book for someone who is NOT trying to prove that MCS exists to the narrow-minded is the personal element. The show of compassion for people with MCS in this book is moving, when you can find it. I found Ms. Matthews' personal story at the end of the book to be utterly heartbreaking and infinitely frustrating, as the system set out to crush her case and set a precedent of denial and lies to avoid responsibility and of course, payment. For a person in her state of health to create and publish this book must have been a gargantuan effort, and truly a labor of love. I do hope this book has helped people to accept MCS as a reality and helped people gain support from the system they have paid into on good faith. I wonder on a personal level what has become of Matthews since this book was written, and can only hope that she has found a way to heal and not just survive.
End note to those with severe MCS: My copy of this book does not have a strong smell, so if you're sensitive to such things you may be able to tolerate this book on a sensory level.

BOOK REVIEW DEFINING MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY Edited by Bonnye L. Matthews McFarland & Co., Inc. Jefferson, NC, 1998 REVIEWER: Irene Ruth Wilkenfeld

Having any chronic illness is challenging. Having a chronic illness that is not recognized by mainstream medicine can be a nightmare. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is one such medical conundrum. It immobilizes lives, alters destiny and erodes potential. By all accounts the number of chemically injured patients is growing exponentially and yet institutional dismissiveness and resistance seem more entrenched than ever before. And patients, feeling alienated and ostracized, find themselves caught in the crossfire of a bitter tug of war between traditional and alternative (environmentally aware) physicians.

I would encourage anyone dealing with this syndrome to get a copy of DEFINING MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY. This one slim volume is like having your own personal team of `pro bono' advocates, on call to support you, 24-hours a day. It contains up-to-date medical and legal information, as well as a detailed, very personal, compelling case history with which you will easily identify. Some may call this last section "mere anecdotal evidence." I call it a powerful account of an inspirational woman, (Bonnye Matthews) working to fight an intransigent and badly flawed system.

A section on Workers' Compensation, by attorney Randolph I. Gordon will be invaluable to anyone trying to navigate this circuitous, often unresponsive system. It will also serve as a treasured aid to anyone involved in toxic tort litigation. Useful information on hazard communication, regulatory guidelines, the validity of low-level exposures, proving causation in the courtroom, coping with skepticism, along with pertinent legal precedents to help you authoritatively present your case to a prospective attorney, are all here!

Bonnye Matthews has done a masterful job of reviewing the latest complicated information on porphyria and making it readable by the layperson. "With understanding porphyria, it is now possible, for the first time, to create a model of MCS." In a scientific climate insisting on "biomarkers," this may well be the key to opening the door to the validation of MCS.

If you need to help document your injuries, you can learn about the latest in brain scanning technology, a section written by Gunnar Heuser, M.D., Ph.D. A chapter by Donald Dudley, M.D. will help you critically analyze the medical literature on MCS and sort out the distortions from the facts. You will learn how to defend yourself against arrogant medical misdiagnoses and learn to appreciate the reasons why conventional medicine prefers to define MCS as psychogenic rather than admit that it is an avoidable problem of chemical poisoning.

You might just want to get an extra copy to share with skeptical family members and friends. This is a powerful tool for education and activism.

"Defining Multiple Chemical Sensitivity" is a carefully documented story, written to establish knowledge and truth based on scienfific method. The first chapters cover some of the latest work in biomarkers for demonstrating chemical poisoning. This poisoning may occasionally be followed by the complex of symptoms called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome (MCSS). Biomarkers (medically verifiable tests) include measurable changes in molecules, biochemistry, or cells from human tissue or fluids. Included here are auditory and visual evoked (or "event-related") potentials (ERPs), SPECT scans, acute intermittent porphyrinuria, and changes in levels of cytochrome P-450. These papers go a long way towards providing an understanding of why the chemically poisoned experience such brain fog and react to so many things. There is information on how to prevent/counter attacks. Donald Dudley's chapter, "MCS: Trial by Science" shows how the influence of the olfactory system has been quite underestimated in medical science. 20 MCS patients (under Cullen's definition) were exposed to substances like formaldehyde, MEK, perfume, diesel, a whiff of felt pen... - all chemicals having 6 or fewer carbon fragments in their volatile component. Neurotransmitters from the olfactory system (like glutamate and NMDA), also have molecules with this structure. It is thought that the 6-or-less carbon chemicals act as agonists for the glutamate and other amino acids. And these are the same amino acids which are implicated in brain cell injury - eg stroke, pain, depression and degenerative brain disease. In the study, stimuli were given to eyes and ears - a changing checker board and clicks, before and after the chemical exposures. Electrodes measured how long the brain took to react and how much brain reaction there was. The findings were dramatic. Gunnar Heuser's chapter covers SPECT brain scanning; pictures of the brain which show how the oxygen-carrying blood flow is impaired in the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes in people with exposure to neurotoxic chemicals. This hypoperfusion is further decreased on exposure to, for instance, perfume. Mathematical tasks did not light up the appropriate areas of the brain. He suggests possibilities to explain these findings. These kinds of brain affects were actually detected in a study on DDT in 1966; this research was never followed up. However progress is being made - I liked Eileen McCarty's first chapter parting shot: "A cosmetic salesperson related her poorly adhering nail polish to the lessening of formaldehyde in the formula...". The book has lots of interesting "bits". Porphyrias are deficits of certain enzymes required for the production of heme. Heme is used to produce haemoglobin (for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood), and cytochromes (for breaking down such things as steroids, drugs, pollutants, mutagens and natural plant and animal products. Prozac and aldehydes have been shown to inhibit cytochrome P-450. Porphyrias were an extremely rare hereditary condition (remember "The Madness of King George?") usually with a single enzyme missing. But specific testing (through the Mayo Lab) shows how a chemical exposure can cause a multiple enzyme deficit. Bonnye Matthews, in this chapter, gives a clear explanation of the process. She demonstrates that for the first time a model of MCSS is possible. Some Gulf War veterans have also tested positively for toxic-induced porphyrias. The information in this chapter on the substances which can set off an attack is vital. Though there is a great deal of common sense in this book, it's not a light read - there's necessary information for medical professionals - GPs, neurologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, occupational health physicians, allergists, immunologists, cardiologists, gastro-intestinal specialists, anaesthesiologists... in fact it should be compulsory reading at medical schools and for all practising doctors, such are the wide-ranging affects of chemical poisoning. Bonnye unravels the medical detective story that is behind MCS Syndrome - the unethical and incompetent research and papers and medical assessments which were designed to deny compensation by showing MCS as psychosomatic. (The spinoffs are that these papers are now used in countries like New Zealand to deny claims based on MCSS.) But the book's not a witch-hunt - more of a plea for justice and open-mindedness in establishing facts. Bonnye Matthews also tells her own story - because she was (unwittingly at first) in the thick of it as a research subject and recipient of workers' compensation (for a while anyway) in Washington. Her unecessary medical procedures - the methacholine challenge, the venous punctures, even being forced to attend appointments downtown against the advice of her treating physicians are horrifying in their consequences. And loads more including a legal section which shows how a scheme which was intended to be no-fault insurance for work-related individuals has become an adversarial process (and this is Washington, not New Zealand). The measured title of this book belies a gripping read which may make you feel outraged and sick. Please read this book.

This is an excellent book that all physicians should own. It's unquestionably an invaluable resource for MCS sufferers.

Matthews edited the book into four sections. Two of the sections have multiple chapters.



SECTION I: MEDICAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1. Chemical Sensitivity: A Psychological Perspective by Eileen R. McCarty (clinical psychologist)

Chapter 2. MCS: Trial by Science by Donald L. Dudley, M.D.

Chp. 3. SPECT Brain Scanning After Chemical Injury by Gunnar Heuser, M.D.

4. Porphyria, Cytochrome P-450, and Toxic Exposure by Bonnye Matthews


SECTION II: Legal Information

5. No Balm in Gilead: Why Worker's Compensation Fails Workers in a Toxic Age by Randolph Gordon


SECTION III: Science and the Literature

6. Junk Science by Bonnye Matthews

7. Medical Literature and MCS: An analysis of Seven Papers by Donald Dudley

SECTION IV: Personal Experience with MCS

8. My Experience with Chemical Sensitivity by Bonnye Matthews


REVIEW OF EACH CHAPTER:

Chapter 1: Chemical Sensitivity: A Psychological Perspective by Eileen R. McCarty (clinical psychologist)

Despite what the title might suggest, McCarty's chapter does not represent or defend a psychogenic perspective of MCS. Rather, the chapter has three goals.

The first goal is to introduce readers to the problem of chemical industries focusing narrowly on the benefits of synthetic chemicals while ignoring the potential health threats they cause and trigger.

The second goal is to explain why many doctors interpret MCS symptoms as psychogenic.

Finally, it delves into a very brief and lacking summary of research that had recently been published, such as isolated porphyrin abnormalities of porphyrin metabolism, Callender's SPECT scans, and DHEA's potential in MCS.

Regarding DHEA, McCarty said, "An [MCS-afflicted] individual will still likely react to chemical exposure, but his or her overall quality of life may be enhanced." (Page 7)

I like McCarty's description of the complexity of MCS research: "Sometimes the search for answers leads only to further questions; passing through one door, we discover more doors waiting to be opened." (Ibid = Also on page 7)


Chapter 2: "MCS: Trial by Science" by Donald L. Dudley, M.D

Donald Dudley's chapter focuses on his unique research on MCS.

Dudley studied the P300 brain wave (Auditory and Visual) of twenty patients with MCS (under Cullen's definition) before and, during and after exposure to common and everyday chemicals (in an everyday amount). Upon exposure the P300 decreased significantly in 100% of the subjects, two of which developed occipital seizures. (Page 24)

Most important is the fact that the P300 is not affected by emotions/perception/etc. Any changes to this brain wave upon challenge must be the result of organic mechanisms.

Dudley proposed that the olfactory system generates too much NMDA activity and that this activity might, at the least, contribute to the symptoms. (Subsequent articles by WSU biochemist Martin Pall show a role for NMDA activity)

The only problem is that Dudley hasn't attempted to replicate his findings. Even more remarkable is that no one else has attempted to replicate his findings. That is astonishingly stupid!


Chapter 3: SPECT Brain Scanning After Chemical Injury by Gunnar Heuser

This chapter focuses on one of Heuser's studies, in which MCS patients' brains were scanned with SPECT technology before and after exposure to chemicals.

He found that most of the MCS patients had decreased blood flow to certain areas of the brain upon being exposed to perfume (Pages 27-30).

But several other and better brain imaging studies have been published since the book's release, and two of them were by Heuser. The book should be updated to include this information.



Chapter 4: Porphyria, Cytochrome P-450, and Toxic Exposure by Bonnye Matthews

This is a fascinating chapter, but not perfect. Matthews noted that there are 3,000+ synthetic chemicals known to be porphyrinogenic (meaning they trigger porphyria attacks). These chemicals include those in perfumes, colognes, pesticides, air fresheners, etc.

This chapter posits an MCS model based on the finding that multiple chemicals trigger porphyria attacks, which induce the same symptoms seen in MCS flare-ups.

I'm disappointed that Matthews seemingly misinterpreted the study she cited by the Mayo Clinic. The study did NOT show that the MCS patients had porphyria. Instead the patients had isolated abnormalities in their porphyrin metabolism (which can be explained by two of the leading theories of etiology/causation).

Matthews even bizarrely asserted that the porphyria model was the first MCS model. But Iris Bell proposed a model in 1975. Maybe I misunderstood Matthews though.

Anyway, this is still a very good chapter. I cited its lengthy discussion in my own article.



Chapter 5: No Balm in Gilead: Why Worker's Compensation Fails Workers in a Toxic Age by Randolph Gordon

I won't comment on this chapter because I have not read it.


Chapter 6: Junk Science by Bonnye Matthews

This chapter clarifies the meaning of both "science" and "the scientific method." It explains the grueling process that should be-but rarely is-used to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of a study.

Matthews explains why "Junk Science" is an oxymoron that should never be applied to the position that MCS is organic.


Chapter 7: Medical Literature and MCS: An analysis of Seven Papers by Donald Dudley

This chapter is enraging, enlightening and disturbing. It is Dudley's critique of 7 of the top studies supporting the psychogenic view.

In these seven studies there were a total of 334 patients studied. But no more than thirty-three of these patients actually had MCS. In five of the studies, none of the patients had MCS. Of the remaining two, in one study, eighteen out of forty-one had MCS, and in the other study no more than fifteen out of fifty-three had MCS. Thus, it is fair to state that the studies have nothing to do with MCS. (Pages 111-130)

I've included this and other criticisms in my own article.


Chapter 8: My Experience with Chemical Sensitivity by Bonnye Matthews

Matthews' personal story is the cherry on the ice cream. I'm sure it has induced immense anger in doctors and patients. It really infuriated me!

Her story demonstrates deliberate efforts by both the government and the medical establishment to ignore MCS and suppress research on it. After reading the chapter it will be difficult to view the integrity of the US medical establishment in the same way.


NATURAL MEDICINE AND MCS:

I agree with another reviewer here that the book should have discussed natural medicine. I think Matthews was so concerned about pleasing cynical doctors that she didn't want to turn them away with a discussion of natural medicine.

But the medical literature is filled with evidence of natural medicine's beneficial affects on MCS. The book should be updated to include this natural medicine data and much more.


SUMMARY:

The book's not perfect and has its own share of flaws. Nevertheless, it is unquestionably one of the best books on the topic. It contains very useful scientific data, objective reasoning and evaluation, and a lot of compassion. It has the power to move many people and I am sure it has and will continue to do so.

The book's overall message, that MCS should not be ignored and cannot be forever, is clear and powerful. Without a doubt, this book is a riveting, stomach-churning chock full of disturbing data.

-- Pat Casanova

PS. There are other data in the book that I didn't mention. You'll just have to buy it if you're interested! :)

Highly recommend it! It is evident that special interestswillnot like it as it is not within their financial interests! Nowwith new emerging evidence it becomes the issue of emerging credibility!

This book comparing to trashy campaign published disinformation campaign sponsored by special interests ... is undisputed MASTERPIECE! WHAT ELSE ONE CAN SAY?

Only works of Claudia Miller, Mohamed Abu Donia, Marc Cullen, Grace Ziem the MDs scientists and researchers could be rated any higher!

Together with other jewels and masterpieces such as: Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes, 2nd Edition; Claudia S. Miller, Nicholas Askounes Ashford the readers can get full accounting of the magnitude of informations available today from first hand witness of the suffering.

To add to credibility to this book read scientific review by Alexandra Golub a DOD scientific review sponsored under PENTAGON and DOD programs on Gulf War illness research... demonstrates that there is clear the connection between neurological injury and MCS. Only by reading such first hand accounting and documented evidence one can get full image of the magnitude of legal deception by any and all means!

The recent findings in reference to heavy metals and specificaly mercury toxicity and neural sensitisation, as the cause of developing heavy metal allergy suported by the newest MELISA (memory lymphocyte immuno-stimulation assay) tests with the study of metal-induced neural neurotoxic sensitization tests

could beef up the splendind factual accounting by this the autor first hand of the mysery of injured by neurotoxic agents.

As far as discussed treatment it is difficult to treat what is not yet fully explored there for elimination and avoidance is what must be first considered.

The NEW emerging scientific evidence only adds credibility and supports this book. The recent findings of brain damage in Gulf War Veterans, as well as ethiology of allergy and asthma ...reported on May 18, 2000 with new evidence that the ALLERGY NERVE GROWTH FACTOR NGD was linked to NGF proteine.

"Hopkins allergy researchers took to the trail of NGF for several reasons. First, Koliatsos, who is an expert on the use of NGF in experiments to treat nerve and brain disorders, informed the allergy researchers that using NGF to treat Alzheimer's caused patients excessive pain. NGF, found naturally in the body, is a small, potent molecule that helps maintain certain nerve cells and prods other nerve cells to grow and communicate with others. "It looked like the pain syndromes we saw in these patients shared many of the same mechanisms with respiratory allergy," says Koliatsos. "

The new evidence clearly demonstrates a valid what previously was unknown missing links: "Hay fever and asthma now seem to derive from events not only in the respiratory system, but also from a nervous system that is overreacting to stimuli," says Vassilis Koliatsos, M.D., an associate professor of pathology, neurology and neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine."

God bless autor for excellent account of factual presentation of the REAL WORLD of what I will plainly call "QUACKERY and fraud in medicine".

A Must READ!

Working as a Critical Care paramedic in the Boston area I have had the oppurtunity to hear the authors lecture. Now I have the ability to use this book as a resource. I would recommend it to anyone who uses a vent. in their job.

This book was a requirement for class. Book is extremely small for the price. I wish it had questions at the end of each chapter. A workbook would be great with this book. This book does not have the different ventilator brands and modes. For example - Drager, Servo, LTV1000 etc. Our teacher had to require another book just to go over the other brands.

Book needs - questions, workbook & chapters with specific ventilators.

I used this book to study for board exams after practicing critical care ventilation for 3 years. Used it more for the jargon and specific terms than for physiology; it gave me what I needed. I would have liked more example scalars / PV loops, etc. But it has a good basic review of physiology as it pertains to ventilation.

I've just begun specialization in ICU and I found this text a very useful and simple approach to mechanical ventilation.
It contains all the basic notions you need to understand the base of ventilation in patients who need this kind of support.

Very succint, fluid and easy to read and comprehend.Not intimidating either in size or content.
The concepts are very well explained.
Because I find it easy to read and more importantly,read again, I have made this as my primary book on mechanical ventilation.

It came a bit slower than expected (say 2 weeks, when I was expecting to get it in one), but overall I was very pleased with the transaction.

This book was a required text for one of my classes. I recommend it to everyone who is looking for a quick but comprehensive reading on health policy in this country.

I am taking a course in Health Policy and the Political System and opted to use this book instead of that recommended by my professor. This book examined all the important aspects of policy making - paying close attention to the political actors - and has helped tremendously in my understanding of the politics surrounding health policy.

This book takes a comprehensive look at health policy in the U.S. from a political science perspective. It addresses all the institutional influences of health policy, such as Congress, the President, interest groups, regulatory agencies, and federalism. It also addresss prominent political science theories and relates them to health policy.

This book is a must-read for any health professional or student who would like to explore the how health policy is REALLY developed. I also highly recommend this book to social scientists and students who are interested in applying governmental relationships to health policy.

I have used this book for a number of years now in a class I teach on the Politics of Health Policy (along with Kingdon's classic). It provides an excellent overview of how health policy is made and the politics around it, drawing on both the academic literature as well as recent policies. The second edition is heavily revised from the first and contains up to date examples. An excellent academic overview of the health policy process.

The book does a decent job of listing many of the green approaches to building. However, I found it lacking more of the details that would have made it more useful from my perspective. I am not an architect. Maybe those details are less necessary for someone with that background. As a future owner of what I hope to be a green home, this is a decent book. However, "Your Green Home" by Alex Wilson is probably a better introduction to the field.

I love this book, it is very detailed and easy to read. It is organized very well and is really helpful. It covers a lot of the basics of sustainable design. I do wish that it went more in-depth with a few things, but it is more of an overview type book.

As an architecture student, I have found this to be an ideal source for helping me incorporate green design strategies into studio projects. Time is always valuable during the design process and having all this data under one cover is sure to save you bundles of it. Filled with top-notch photos, written descriptions, and evocative sketches and illustrations, I can't recommend this book enough.

This is a great book, thats easy to use, clear and consise and even looks great on the coffee table (colour photos). This book is a helpful resource for those who are practitioners as well as those who need a guide to more informatively converse in green design strategy with their contractors/architects.

This is a great book for anyone interested in designing sustainable buildings. There are 7 sections - envelope, lighting, heating, cooling, energy production, water and waste and case studies- with different strategies in each. The sections are very clear and explain what each strategy is, how it's achieved, the problems and design considerations for each. Also there are lots of diagrams, charts and real-world examples. I would highly recommend this book it is very easy to read and it makes what may seem like complicated sustainable systems, easy to implement into your own designs.

This addition to the literature is needed. For those with a "new awakening" to what is happening to the environment or those who need a source of facts and factoids, the book is a valuable resource. The image selected for the cover is perfect...if you find the cover alarming or disgusting, you will find the scenarios in the book to be the same.

Fairly quickly into this book I was comparing it to Silent Spring and to Pandora's Poison: Chlorine, Health, and a New Environmental Strategy.

This is a brilliant elegant work. If you agree with its premises it is a fast read, ending with an appendix on how to recycle electronic waste, and a truly superb bibliography. This is a serious book, a PhD level accomplishment, and totally objective and meritorious.

I am particularly impressed that Apple accepts its computer back for recycling in Japan, something we need to demand here. Indeed, if Apple and CISCO (for its routers and hubs) were to commit to total recycling, what is called for in Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming and described in more detail in Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things I for one would immediately switch my business and my office to iPhone, MacIntoch, and Open Office from Sun (on verge of being fully implementable within Apple's operating system).

Other books on my top ten:
Where to find 4 billion new customers: expanding the world's marketplace; Smart companies looking for new growth opportunities should consider broadening ... consultant.: An article from: The Futurist (Forthcoming as a book, see my keynote to Gnomedex, "Open Everything"
The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profits
The Manufacture of Evil: Ethics, Evolution and the Industrial System
Diet for a Small Planet
The Wealth of Networks: How Social Production Transforms Markets and Freedom
Thank God for Evolution!: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World

Producing a single two-gram microchip can produce dozens of pounds of waste. In addition, Americans discard 5-7 million tons of high-tech electronics each year.

In the U.S. about one third of copper used is scrap, but less than 10% comes from post-consumer sources. Overall, mining accounts for an estimated 7-10% of the world's energy consumption, and releases considerable contaminants in refining and slag piles. Thus, the roughly 2 lbs. of copper used in a desktop computer involves about 620 pounds of waste rock. (Expert studies believe 85% of copper could be recycled, while only 10% used in high-tech electronics actually is.)

Similarly with gold: One metric ton of circuit boards can contain 40-800X the concentration of gold ore mined in the U.S. - yet, only 30% of the gold used comes from scrap - mostly jewelry. (Note: This is a non-sequitur, as are some other comparisons provided.)

Silicon Valley, our major U.S. high-tech producer, has more Superfund sites than any other U.S. count. Analyses of various products is made quite complicated by the need to insure comparable life-cycle detail (how far back in a product's creation does one go), changing technology and volumes, and the involvement of often new, proprietary chemicals for which we lack standards and knowledge of their consequences.

"High Tech Trash" by Elizabeth Grossman is an eye-opening account of the mounting environmental costs of living in a technology-dependent society. As Rachel Carson had once sounded the alarm about the dangers of chemical contamination to a prior generation, Ms. Grossman succeeds in exposing one of today's most underreported environmental problems in a persuasive and compelling manner. The author's carefully structured thesis is invigorated with skillful writing and narrative flair, creating both an intelligent and accessible work that should appeal to a wide audience. Through her careful research and analysis, we understand that greater regulation of the production and disposal of high tech equipment is urgently needed in the U.S. if we wish to avoid poisoning ourselves with the detritus of our wasteful consumerist culture.

Ms. Grossman points out that our blissful ignorance of the underside of high tech may be partly the result of years of carefully crafted industry hype about the supposed immateriality of our modern world. Ms. Grossman methodically debunks such claims while vividly and memorably describing her sometimes harrowing visits to mining sites where raw materials such as copper, gold and other minerals that are essential to producing electronic products are extracted from the ground using highly destructive and polluting practices. The author visits several semiconductor manufacturing sites where water is withdrawn at unsustainable rates and discharged into local rivers in a fouled condition. She goes on to travel to so-called 'clean room' facilities where the legacies of soil and water pollution have led to illness and financial hardship in a number of communities. Discussing the probable link between increased cancer incidents among factory workers and the innocent people who happened to live near some of these plants, Ms. Grossman argues forcefully for the U.S. to adopt the precautionary principle while demonstrating how nearly all of us may be vulnerable to exposure.

We learn that the problem of dealing with obsolete and broken electronic equipment, or 'e-waste', has been recognized by some industrialized countries but not by the U.S., whose patchwork of local laws are woefully inadequate to the task even if they are not well understood by citizens. Ms. Grossman compares and contrasts the practices of recyclers both in the U.S. and overseas; these range from the primitive conditions that sometimes exist in poor countries such as China where materials are often dismantled under hazardous conditions to modern, state-of-the-art facilities in Sweden and the U.S. where used electronics are handled under safe and controlled conditions. We come to appreciate the important role that responsible recyclers can play in recovering precious metals, plastics, glass and toxic materials from discarded equipment, which in turn can help us reduce the adverse effects of disposal on the environment and ourselves. Indeed, the author's common-sense arguments are presented with such clarity and power that inaction seems absurd: one concludes that there is simply no good reason for the U.S. not to implement a cradle-to-grave producer responsibility system for electronic products that includes easily accessible and affordable recycling options for consumers.

I highly recommend this important book to everyone.

An eye opening account of just how much raw material it takes to make your favorite electronic gizmos and what can be done to reduce their environmental footprint. Normally books like this come off as scathing polemics; however, Grossman does an excellent job of explaining why things are the way they are, what recycling methods are working, and what can be done better. Perhaps the saddest fact of the entire book is just how recyclable modern electronic could be, and how little of them is actually recycled.

I purchased my copy of The Language of Color over ten years ago and *still* dig it out from time to time for fun and insight. I love it! Written by a former art instructor, Dorothee Mella discovered trends in her students' color preferences. Intrigued, she decided to work directly with many people to find correlations based on observation to develop this book. (The approach has no metaphysical nor occult origin, and it is NOT a New Age book as one might suspect. Anyone can use it regardless of belief system.) Those on more of the intuitive/artsy side and interested in self-insight would especially enjoy The Language of Color.

The main feature is a simple, fourteen question color test called SICA (Self-Image Color Analysis). There are twenty possible color categories to chose from for your answers to each question. These colors ranges even include achromatics and basic metallics (gold and silver). The result is an accurate personality and mood profile which is easily decoded by the book's answers. It gives insight into one's identity, inspiration, motivation, stresses, and all other sorts of helpful things!

Out of interest, I've learned about several psych & personality "typing" systems over the years. With this approach, however, rather than falling into one of a short number of "types", the SICA really provides a very unique portrait from over 1.6 quintillion possible combination results! The interpretations for each answer are straightforward, fast and easy.

The rest of this book explains how to utilize one's personal portrait colors for enhanced communication, self-actualization, and even decorating various environments with color from your office to your bathroom! There are charts and lists explaining color symbolism and images for business, the messages you give according to what colors you wear, and best color recommendations for your wardrobe according to your SICA. I especially enjoyed her case examples of unhappy people who chose new careers, improved relationships and thus changed their lives after their personal Self-Image Color Analyses. Fun, fast, accurate - The Language of Color is a rare and fun find, a real treasure in the legacy of color research.

A concisely written book for those interested in the subject of color and its relationship with personality. I administered the book's quizzes to several friends, all of whom were impressed and intrigued with the accuracy of their outcomes. The information in this book is timeless. As an individual changes, so does the reading. New insight is gained each time one takes the quizzes.

This book's best feature is a color quiz that turns out to be a powerful tool for understanding your own psychological makeup--both the long view and the present-moment snapshot. I first took it in 1993, then again in 1997, and was shocked to see how much this test revealed to me about me, now that I can look back at who I was then and who I am now. It was eerily accurate! So I highly recommend this book, not only for people studying color theory, but for anyone who wants a deep personal profile and insight--all by yourself, in the privacy of your own room

I actually purchased this book first in 1990 at a book sale in the library because I thought it was kind of interesting. After I began to take the test and research the color's meanings, I found myself quite hooked. I managed to buy a second copy five or six years later, after my old copy had become totally overused. Although there are some things I disagree with, I've found her meanings to be quite accurate, even in so far as for assisting healings. This is a simple test with twenty colors.

The first time I read this book, it was on a loan from a dear friend! I discovered a great deal about my psyche, my personality, and what makes me tick as an individual! I would recommend this read to anyone wanting to discover who they are in depth. Never before had I found such an accurate and detailed view on how color effects our lives, actions, and emotional states! Dorothee Mella is an unequalled color authority. She really knows her stuff!

Environment is important, indoors and outdoors. Light exposure is crucial. Environment shapes character and behavior. Well-being is affected by settings.

Mood sickness may be traced back to normal expectations of the environment. Indoor life-styles result in light deprivation. Winter depression has been re-identified.

Cold is a stimulant and heat is a sedative. Moderatedly high altitudes-- mountains--seem peaceful. Some of the mountain magic is aesthetic. A sense-presence experience, (sensing that something or someone is present), is a normal response to a bizarre situation. More and more people are spending time in extreme environments.

Inner city children may suffer from chronic sense overload impeding their physical and academic progress. Urbanization is the most important environmental influence of the future. Most of America's poverty is urban. Pruitt-Igoe thwarted tenants' needs and opportunities for social networking and had to be blown-up.

Nature-loving varies with ethnicity and class. Nevertheless, even the Swiss weren't amazed by the Alps until the nineteenth century when nature's existence could be contrasted with industrialization.

This is a delightful book, causing much thought about issues we hardly ever notice and think about.

Although I had to read this book in an undergraduate course, I found it extremely interesting and I read it in two days. The information is useful for anyone looking for a new place to live. Overall a very good book although the many topic's are only briefly touched upon.

I found this book to be very informative and interesting reading. The author backs up most everything with scientific research, but also isn't afraid to speculate about things outside the realm of science (or not discovered yet).
I find it a particularly relevant for the US since many of the negative factors (noise, crowding) are on the rise - these aren't just aesthetic issues, as the book points out.

In this book, Winifred Gallagher, discusses the various ways that environment can affect human behaviour. Written for the layman, the book does not dwell on the neuroscience data, preferring to interview both the researchers and the affected.

The biggest drawback of this book may also be it's most interesting aspect - the sheer quantity of the material Gallagher must condensed into 228 pages of text. Thus, in less than 100 pages, she discusses seasonal affective disorder, light deprivation, effects of temperature and altitude and geomagnetic phenomena. With this constraint, Gallagher's prose in necessarily tight, her interviews brief, and each chapter ends before you've had your fill of the effect she's discussing.

A good book for plane-hopping business sorts - not only can it be read on the flight, the effects of time zone changes, sleep deprivation, and fluorescent lights can be recorded as they are taking place.

I have read this book a few times. I have noticed that I feel and think differently in different places. Personaltiy traits that have not come to the surface in one place come forth in another place. Good luck happens everywhere but how it happens often depends on place. Some amusing insights are included as well.

Who says childhood has to be boring? Not with all those cute rubber duckies and colorful plastic blocks; too bad many of them are poisoning our kids. What an eye-opener this book is. (And on the subject of eyes, I've got to say, I never really thought much about what my teenager was applying to her face in the name of beauty.) Reading McDonald's personal stories interwoven with her well-researched facts brought it all home. This book will leave the reader clearer, but also with a sense of hope that something can actually be done - as opposed to, say, escaping to the farthest corner of the Earth, which isn't usually an option.

I just finished "The Toxic Sandbox" yesterday and thought it was great. It was actually quite readable considering the subject matter. Libby MCDonald manages to be very informative while not hitting readers over the head with too much information. What she ends up doing is telling stories and then tells the story behind the story... well done.

The author has sifted through all the recent research on environmental toxins to provide parents with the relevant stuff (what do I really need to be concerned about, and what can I do about it?) in a concise, readable format. Highly recommended reading for anyone with kids.

Am I Missing Something? Why aren't the issues in this book addressed or discussed more? This book discusses the most dangerous toxins that your children (and you) will encounter on a daily basis. Some of the points I had heard before, but others just floored me. Every parent needs to be aware of what is in the environment that will adversely effect the health of their children. This book is easy to read and can be used or read as a reference book. My wife and I went through our plastics (for food and drink especially) this week and tossed quite a bit. We plan to continue to weed out anything dangerous (including toxins that my wife would pass on to an unborn child). This is definitely worth the read.

This is a real document of its time. It's hard to imagine in this day and age that no one has come up with something like this before. Here is a real mother who has done her homework, talked to The Right People and given it to us straight.