This also means that we can avoid risk factors if we have the knowledge. As indicated above there are many exposures, diseases and genetic factors that can be discussed. This book deals with a number of examples in order to increase the understanding of how complex our lives are in terms of environmental risk factors. These examples are presented in the 18 chapters of this book. Water quality is discussed in two chapters which deal with algae toxins and substances formed by chlorination of drinking water.
Contamination of soil is considered from the perspective of dump sites for waste.
Physical agents such as UV-irradiation and radioactivity are discussed in three chapters which include the example of the severe accident at Chernobyl in the Ukraine. Acute intoxication and chronic effects are very different in terms of time frame. These aspects are presented in two chapters. Two chapters focus on genetic inheritance and risk perception. In addition to this, there is a section on recommended reading.