Organic Pollutants: Analysis and Remediation

Organic pollutants are the organic compounds that show resistance to environmental degradation through biological, chemical and photolytic processes. They may arise naturally like volcanoes and various biosynthetic pathways or can be man-made. Some examples of organic pollutants are dioxins, heptachlor, toxaphene, endrin, polychlorinated biphenyls and lindane. These are used as solvents, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and industrial chemicals. They have adverse impacts on human health like endocrine disruption, gestational weight gain, additive and synergistic effects and effects on reproductive systems. They may also affect the environment through two processes. These are long-range transport and bioaccumulation. This book is a valuable compilation of topics, ranging from the basic to the most complex theories and principles related to this field. Also included in this book is a detailed explanation of the various concepts and applications related to the field of organic pollutants. Through this book, we attempt to further enlighten the readers about the new concepts in this field.