Introduction to Environmental Forensics

Rating:
Summary: The science behind A Civil Action
Review: Here is the real scoop on toxic waste suits. This comprehensive text covers the subject of contamination and litigation from a variety of approaches, scientific and legal. I particularly appreciated the chapters on the chemical fingerprinting of hydrocarbons and the chemistry & utilization of chlorinated solvents. Having written a piece about a hypothetical hazardous waste site, I wish I had the information in this book at the time.

In spite of the density of the material, there are light touches throughout the book. I particularly liked the three-D glasses that came with the book (I'm not kidding--they are helpful to view site photographs) and the definition of a Texas sharpshooter (draws the bulls-eye after shooting the gun).

This book (and its appendices) is crammed with useful information. I would advise anyone seriously interested in the field of environmental forensics to own this book.