Environmental Hazards: Toxic Waste and Hazardous Material.

• Author: Reed, James B.

This handbook in the World Contemporary Issues series by ABC-CLIO is a comprehensive reference guide for researchers arid legislative analysts tackling the topics of pollution by hazardous waste, pesticides, toxic substances, asbestos and oil.

Written by two Pennsylvania State University professors, the book places the environmental and public health dangers of such substances in a public policy framework. It features a complete annotated bibliography of books in the field as well as an extensive list of articles, government documents, videocassettes and organizations. A chapter describing federal and selected state laws and regulations is also useful.

The authors trace the history of environmental legislation and chronicle the fundamental laws that established the nation's system for managing hazardous materials. Special attention is given to hazardous waste cleanup and the Superfund legislation, also known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). This discussion yields a pertinent perspective as Congress debates the reauthorization of and possible changes to this landmark legislation.

The bulk of the handbook...