There is no need in the 1970s to explain the writing of a book on "Environmen- tal Chemistry. " The despoliation of the environment by man's activities has long been clear to chemists. However, it has been the subject of public debate for a short time-since the late 1960s. Curiously, there has been little reaction in the textbook literature to reflect this concern. Apart from some brief and sketchy paperbacks for schools, there has not yet been published...