PREFACE

          Increasing use of chemicals is inevitable in the process of national development as well as in the promotion of better standards of living and human well-being. A thorough knowledge of toxicology and appropriate technology together with proper management is vital for the prevention of chemical hazards and safeguarding human health and the environment from the adverse effects of chemicals. Successful programs for chemical safety require suitably trained human resources in government, industry and academe, and an informed awareness in the general public.

          At present, the need for qualified personnel trained in toxicology and environmental management is urgent. Chulabhorn Research Institute has therefore initiated a capacity building program to assist developing countries to develop human resources in these specific areas. The program comprises a post-graduate education program in Environmental Toxicology,, Technology and Management at M.Sc. and Ph.D. levels and a short term training program with a series of training courses. Both programs have international experts from renowned institutes / universities in their faculty.

          The program addresses the training needs of both health scientists and engineers by integrating the principle of toxicology and engineering practices to foster a multidisciplinary approach for the safe use of chemicals in development. A three-volume book on Environmental Toxicology has been specially designed in the form of a concise compendium of essential information in all areas of toxicology.

          The program will endeavor to make an important contribution to human resource development for sustainable economic and industrial development.

Editors:

M. Ruchirawat

R.C. Shank

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The preparation of this publication is supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Project: THA/97/004: Capacity Building in Environmental Toxicology, Tchnology and Management to Promote Sustainable Development in Thailand).

CONTRIBUTORS

  CANADA

Donald J. Ecobichon

Professor (Honorary),

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Queen's University, Kingston, Canada

  DENMARK

Herman Autrup

Professor,

Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine

The Steno Institute of Public Health

University of Aarhus, Denmark

  ITALY

Davide Calamari

Professor,

Environmental Research Group

Department of Functional and Structural Biology

University of Insubria, Varese VA, Italy

  THAILAND

Mathuros Ruchirawat

Vice President for Research

and Head, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology

Chulabhorn Research Institute

and Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science

Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

 

Jutamaad Satayavivad

Associate Vice President for Scientific Affairs

and Head, Laboratory of Pharmacology

Chulabhorn Research Institute

and Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science

Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

  UNITED KINGDOM

John H. Duffus

Director,

The Edinburgh Centre for Toxicology

Department of Biological Sciences

Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom

  U.S.A.

Richard A. Becker

Senior Director,

Public Health Team, American Chemistry Council

1300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209, U.S.A.

Joseph F. Borzelleca

Professor Emeritus,

Toxicology and Pharmacology, Inc.

and Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.

Ronald C. Shank

Professor,

Director, Environmental Toxicology Program

and Chairman,

Department of Community and Environmental Medicine

University of California at lrvine, California, U.S.A.