Roy Goulding

Book Reviews : Environmental Health Criteria 174 - Isophorone by IPCS. Published by WHO, 1994. 136 pp. Sw fr 18. Paperback. ISBN 92 4 157174 8

arrange a safe and private environment ; build a helping relationship with mutual trust; listen effectively (most important); probe for information ; provide comfort and support; encourage self-sufficiency; assess mental health problems; devise a workable plan of action; and then follow it up. The refugee experience begins with fear, goes through considerable physical hardship, and ends in a state of hopelessness. The text is full of practical advice for helping refugees through counselling, self-help groups, modern drugs and alternative medicine. This manual should

Book Reviews : Environmental Health Criteria 156 - Hexachlorobutadiene by IPCS. Published by World Health Organization, 1994. 136 pp. Sw fr 22. Paperback. ISBN 92 4 157156 X

Good Practice Assessment in Risk Assessment and Risk Management Edited by Hazel Kemshall and Jacki Pritchard. Published by Jessica Kingsleys, 1996. 210 pp. Paperback. ISBN 1 85302 338 8 The wide variety of social care settings considered range over child protection, disability, drug addicts, the elderly, and mental health. The situation in mental health, to take one example, has changed much from the ~ middle ages when expulsion was the risk management strategy and banishment and the ships of fools the risk management site, to the present century when decarceration has given way to integration as the strategy, and the site is the community. However issues are the more complicated now

Book Reviews : Environmental Health Criteria 166 - Methyl Bromide by IPCS. Published by World Health Organization, 1995. 324 pp. Sw fr 47. Paperback. ISBN 92 4 157166 7

regard to ethnic and religious factors. The relevant legislation in the UK and elsewhere is briefly reviewed and ethics and morals touched upon. There is a useful glossary and extensive bibliography. The text is nevertheless occasionally speculative and unsubstantiated, but this is acceptable in a book which aims, inter al, to stimulate debate. The book is regarded as essential background reading for those involved in male infertility counselling and as providing valuable insight for others involved in the field.

Book Reviews : Phenol - Environmental Health Criteria 161 by World Health Organisation. Published by International Programme on Chemical Safety, 1994. Sw Fr 27. Paperback. ISBN 92 4 157161 6

history it seems odd to read in this book that, for phenol, ’some medical and pharmaceutical applications are also known’, when we think of the dramatic minimising of those infections which invariably accompanied surgical operations prior to Lister introducing it as a disinfectant in 1867. Even then, it was not long before operators and applicators began to suffer the adverse effects of phenol exposure. These continued whilst phenol dressings remained in vogue. Today, the phenolic anti-bacterials are, characteristically, less toxic derivatives.

Book Reviews : Environmental Health Criteria 157, Hydroquinone by International Programme on Chemical Safety IPCS. Published by World Health Organization, 1994. 178pp. Sw fr 27. Paperback. ISBN: 92 4 157157 8

Environmental Health Criteria 157, Hydroquinone by International Programme on Chemical Safety IPCS. Published by World Health Organization, 1994. 178pp. Sw fr 27. Paperback. ISBN: 92 4 157157 8 About hydroquinone there is nothing esoteric. Manufactured on quite a large scale it is used extensively as a reducing agent, an antioxidant, in the production of agrochemicals and polymers and in cosmetics and medical preparations. It is neither bio-persistent, nor bio-accumalative. There is quite an extensive toxicity data base upon it, pointing to nephrotoxicity. In man, ingestion of single, large doses (3-12g) has been accompanied by dramatic and fatal effects, although 500 mg per day taken by volunteers for 20weeks resulted in no obvious pathological changes. Dermally, hydroquinone brings about depigmentation and has been used specifically for this purpose. For anyone concerned with the possible environmental hazards of this

Book Reviews : IPCS Quality Management for Chemical Safety Testing by World Health Organization. Pub lished by WHO, 1992. 112 pp, Sw fr 16.00, developing countries Sw fr 11.60. Paperback. ISBN: 92-4 157141-1 141. Quality Management for Chemical Safety Testing

carefully through the terminology used and the procedure to be adopted. The foreword, by a lawyer, is an admirable summary of what has become a confusing situation. The provision in the document itself for discussion with (and initialling by) the doctor and the need for regular review are particularly welcome. Although not designed exclusively for the older reader, the clear print is most helpful. The only jarring note is the preface. Its relevance is obscure. It peddles inaccurate statistics and advocates a course of action

Book Reviews : IPCS Alpha-Cypermethrin by World Health Organization. Pub lished by WHO, 1992. 112 pp, Sw fr 16.00, developing countries Sw fr 11.60. Paperback ISBN: 92-4-157142-X 142. Alpha-Cypermethrin

carefully through the terminology used and the procedure to be adopted. The foreword, by a lawyer, is an admirable summary of what has become a confusing situation. The provision in the document itself for discussion with (and initialling by) the doctor and the need for regular review are particularly welcome. Although not designed exclusively for the older reader, the clear print is most helpful. The only jarring note is the preface. Its relevance is obscure. It peddles inaccurate statistics and advocates a course of action

Book Reviews : Lead — Environmental Aspects (No. 85). Published by WHO, Geneva, 1989. Price Sw fr. 13. Paperback. Pp 106. ISBN 92 4 154285 3

The 62 page booklet sets out to describe the corporate approach needed to plan and organise road accident reduction procedures in general terms. Although developed nations have been using these methods for several years the booklet may be of interest to those countries embarking upon a road safety programme for the future. Clearly, the World Health Organisation is very concerned at the high mortality and morbidity rates from RTAs and sets out a strategy to try and combat this problem. The booklet sets out the need tor training in this area but is not clear on which target groups to include.

Book Reviews : 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxycetic Acid (2,4-D) — Environmental Aspects (No. 84). Published by WHO, Geneva, 1989. Price Sw fr. 12. Paperback. Pp 92. ISBN 92 4154284 5

The 62 page booklet sets out to describe the corporate approach needed to plan and organise road accident reduction procedures in general terms. Although developed nations have been using these methods for several years the booklet may be of interest to those countries embarking upon a road safety programme for the future. Clearly, the World Health Organisation is very concerned at the high mortality and morbidity rates from RTAs and sets out a strategy to try and combat this problem. The booklet sets out the need tor training in this area but is not clear on which target groups to include.

Book Reviews : Mercury — Environmental Aspects (No. 86). Published by WHO, Geneva, 1989. Price Sw fr. 14. Paperback. Pp 115. ISBN 9241542861

The 62 page booklet sets out to describe the corporate approach needed to plan and organise road accident reduction procedures in general terms. Although developed nations have been using these methods for several years the booklet may be of interest to those countries embarking upon a road safety programme for the future. Clearly, the World Health Organisation is very concerned at the high mortality and morbidity rates from RTAs and sets out a strategy to try and combat this problem. The booklet sets out the need tor training in this area but is not clear on which target groups to include.