by Jon Ayres (University of Aberdeen, UK) , Robert Maynard (UK Department of Health, UK) , & Roy Richards (University of Cardiff, UK)

This invaluable volume, the third in the series Air Pollution Reviews, addresses particular questions relating to air pollution and its effect on health. It deals with the impact of nasal disease on lung exposure, how pollutants are distributed within the lung, and the uncertainties with regard to defining the dose to the lung. It takes a tangential look at the lung dose by exploring the possibility of obtaining clues from occupational medicine.

Toxicologically, the book examines the possible methodology for exploring how particles and their toxicity can be investigated, and looks into the cardio-toxic effects of air pollution. The effects of pollutant mixtures are compared with those of individual pollutants. In addition, the question of the importance of acid aerosols is tackled.

Epidemiologically, the book deals with the problems associated with point sources as opposed to diffuse sources of air pollution, and considers whether the health effects of air pollution can be adequately quantified.

These areas, though difficult, need to be addressed, in order to develop our knowledge of the health effects of air pollution. In this volume, a strong panel of authors treat the issues. They have raised questions but at the same time succeeded in solving a number of problems.

• The Role of the Nose in Health and Disease (R Eccles)
• Cardiovascular Effects of Particles (H C Routledge & J G Ayres)
• Point Sources of Air Pollution — Investigation of Possible Health Effects Using Small Area Methods (P Elliott)
• Characterisation of Airborne Particulate Matter and Related Mechanisms of Toxicity: An Experimental Approach (K Bérubé et al.)
• Acid Aerosols as a Health Hazard (L C Chen et al.)
• Testing New Particles (K Donaldson et al.)
• Valuing the Health Impact of Air Pollution: Deaths, DALYs or Dollars? (A E M de Hollander & J M Melse)