This sweeping history reveals how the use of chemicals has saved lives, destroyed species, and radically changed our planet: “Remarkable . . . highly recommended.” —Choice In The Chemical Age, ecologist Frank A. von Hippel explores humanity’s long and uneasy coexistence with pests, and how the battles to exterminate them have shaped our modern world. He also tells the captivating story of the scientists who waged war on famine and disease with chemistry. Beginning with the potato blight tragedy of the 1840s, which led scientists on an urgent mission to prevent famine using pesticides, von Hippel traces the history of pesticide use to the 1960s, when Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring revealed that those same chemicals were insidiously damaging our health and driving species toward extinction. Telling the story in vivid detail, von Hippel showcases the thrills—and complex consequences—of scientific discovery. He describes the creation of chemicals used to kill pests—and people. And, finally, he shows how scientists turned those wartime chemicals on the landscape at a massive scale, prompting the vital environmental movement that continues today.

We live in an age of convenience, consumerism, and immediate gratification. But the exponential changes happening in our society have an effect: More toxins are invading our lives than ever before. The best way to prevent harm from toxins is to avoid them-and Janet Newman, Ph.D., can show you how. Living in the Chemical Age is an eye-opening look at how we can live less polluted lives. In this indispensable guide, Janet identifies contaminants in our food, water, personal care products, environment, pharmaceuticals, and even nature; explains the physical effects these chemicals can have; and explores everyday ways to avoid them. Whether you're a mom concerned about her kids or a citizen hoping to positively use your consumer power, Janet's clear and simple tips will help you make everyday choices that can lead to a healthier world.

Dating the Quaternary, which covers approximately the last 2 million years, has experienced considerable progress over the past few decades. On the one hand, this resulted from the necessity to obtain a valid age concept for this period which had seen tremendous environmental changes and the advent of the genus Homo. On the other hand, instrumental improvements, such as the introduction of highly sensitive analytical techniques, gave rise to physical and chemical innovations in the field of dating. This rapid methodological development is still in full progress. The broad spectrum of chronometric methods applicable to young rocks and artifacts also becomes increasingly intricate to the specialist. Hence, it is my goal to present a comprehensive, state-of-the-art sum mary of these methods. This book is essentially designed as an aid for scientists who feel a demand for dating tasks falling into this period, i. e., Quaternary geologists and archaeologists in the broadest sense. Since it has been developed from a course of lectures for students of geological and archaeological sciences, held at the University of Heidelberg, it certainly shall serve as an introduction for students of these disciplines.

This book, first published in 2007, offers a comparative analysis of the performance of the chemical industry in the age of the petrochemical revolution.

Von der Alchimie zur modernen Chemie, von der Kunst des Goldmachens zur Moleküldynamik und chemischen Großproduktion: Verfolgen Sie die Entwicklung einer geheimnisvollen Kunst zur Naturwissenschaft! Der Autor trug Dokumente und Illustrationen aus über 400 Jahren zusammen; die Abbildungen sind ganzseitig und von hervorragender Qualität. Lebendig, interessant, informativ! (05/00)

The spectrum of physical and chemical dating methods now covers the entire range of Earth history. But there are so many methods that it is becoming increasingly difficult to select those that are appropriate for solving a specific problem. The objective of this book is to cover the whole spectrum of methods and to give examples of their applications. Thus it is addressed to everybody interested in the application of physical and chemical dating methods to the geosciences and archeology. It is especially valuable as a concise, but comprehensive reference for students and practitioners.