Part 5 deals with the major types of pollution. Pollution affects the health and welfare of humans and other organisms. Air pollution, solid waste, and hazardous and toxic substances are discussed in this section. The cost of pollution cannot always be measured in financial terms, but may be reflected in the mental and physical health of the populace. Government often uses risk assessment and analysis to help set policy regarding pollution and other environmental issues.
Separate chapters deal with the ways in which government sets policy and evaluates risk.
New to This Edition 1. The text has been edited throughout and rewritten where needed to include the most recent data and ways of thinking about environmental issues. Many new illustrations were developed and many others were modified to improve their ability to convey information. Several chapters have been substantially reorganized. Chapter 20 was completely rewritten with emphasis on environmental policy, personal responsibility for the environment, regulations, and the impact of multinational organizations.