Volume 17, entitled Lead: Its Effects on Environment and Health of the series Metal Ions in Life Sciences centers on the interrelations between biosystems and lead. The book provides an up-to-date review of the bioinorganic chemistry of this metal and its ions; it covers the biogeochemistry of lead, its use (not only as gasoline additive) and anthropogenic release into the environment, its cycling and speciation in the atmosphere, in waters, soils, and sediments, and also in mammalian organs. The analytical tools to determine and to quantify this toxic element in blood, saliva, urine, hair, etc. are described. The properties of lead(II) complexes formed with amino acids, peptides, proteins (including metallothioneins), nucleobases, nucleotides, nucleic acids, and other ligands of biological relevance are summarized for the solid state and for aqueous solutions as well. All this is important for obtaining a coherent picture on the properties of lead, its effects on plants and toxic actions on mammalian organs. This and more is treated in an authoritative and timely manner in the 16 stimulating chapters of Volume 17, which are written by 36 internationally recognized experts from 13 nations. The impact of this recently again vibrant research area is manifested in nearly 2000 references, over 50 tables and more than 100 illustrations (half in color). Lead: Its Effects on Environment and Health is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from material sciences, inorganic biochemistry all the way through to medicine including the clinic ... not forgetting that it also provides excellent information for teaching.

• About the Editors
• Historical Development and Perspectives of the Series
• Preface to Volume 17
• Contents
• Contributors to Volume 17
• Titles of Volume 1–44 in the Metal Ions in Biological Systems Series
• Contents of Volumes in the Metal Ions in Life Sciences Series
• 1. The Bioinorganic Chemistry of Lead in the Context of Its Toxicity
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Lead Chemistry with Regard to Biochemistry
  • 3. History and Manufacturing of Lead-Containing Materials
  • 4. Safe Levels of Exposures?
  • 5. Regulatory Levels for Lead in Water, Food, and Air
  • 6. Transport in Blood and Cellular Uptake
  • 7. Lead Toxicity
  • 8. Cellular and Molecular Actions
  • 9. General Conclusions
  • Acknowledgment
  • Abbreviations
  • References
• 2. Biogeochemistry of Lead. Its Release to the Environment and Chemical Speciation
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Geochemistry of Lead
  • 3. Mobilization of Lead
  • 4. Lead in the Atmosphere
  • 5. Lead in the Terrestrial and Freshwater Environment
  • 6. Lead in Ocean Waters
  • 7. Summary and Conclusions
  • Acknowledgement
  • Abbreviations and Definitions
  • References
• 3. Analytical Methods for the Determination of Lead in the Environment
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Sampling
  • 3. Spectrophotometry
  • 4. X-ray Fluorescence
  • 5. Electrochemical Methods
  • 6. Atomic Spectroscopy
  • 7. Speciation
  • Abbreviations
  • References
• 4. Smart Capsules for Lead Removal from Industrial Wastewater
  • Abstract
  • 1. Lead Ion Separation from Wastewater
  • 2. Encapsualtion Technology
  • 3. Alginate-Based Capsules
  • 4. Carbon Nanotubes Core-in-Hematite Capsules
  • 5. Polymer Swelling Capsules
  • 6. General Conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
  • Abbreviations and Definitions
  • References
• 5. Lead Speciation in Microorganisms
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Intracellular Metal Speciation Techniques
  • 3. Intracellular Metal Localization Techniques
  • 4. Lead Speciation in Microorganisms
  • 5. Remaining Questions and Future Directions
  • Acknowledgment
  • Abbreviations
  • References
• 6. Human Biomonitoring of Lead Exposure
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Pharmacokinetics
  • 3. Biomarkers of Exposure
  • 4. Biomarkers of Effect
  • 5. Conclusions
  • Abbreviations and Definitions
  • References
• 7. Solid State Structures of Lead Complexes with Relevance for Biological Systems
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Amino Acid, Small-Peptide, and Protein Complexes
  • 3. Nucleic Acid Constituent Complexes
  • 4. Simple-Carbohydrate Complexes
  • 5. Complexes of Other Biorelevant Ligands
  • 6. Concluding Remarks
  • Abbreviations
  • References
• 8. Lead(II) Complexes of Amino Acids, Peptides, and Other Related Ligands of Biological Interest
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Complexation of Lead(II)
  • 3. Lead(II) Complexes of Amino Acids and Derivatives
  • 4. Lead(II) Complexes of Hydroxamic Acids, Related Small Ligands, and Hydroxamic Acid Derivatives of Amino Acids
  • 5. Complexes of Lead(II) with Small Peptides and Related Ligands
  • 6. Complexes of Lead(II) with Thiol-Rich Natural Peptides
  • 7. Factors Determining Lead Selectivity against Zinc, Calcium or Cadmium
  • Acknowledgments
  • Abbreviations and Definitions
  • References
• 9. Lead(II) Binding in Metallothioneins
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Metallothioneins and Toxic Metals
  • 3. Metallothioneins and Lead
  • 4. Conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
  • Abbreviations
  • References
• 10. Lead(II) Binding in Natural and Artificial Proteins
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Lead in Natural Systems
  • 3. Lead Chemistry with Designed Proteins
  • 4. General Conclusions
  • Acknowledgment
  • Abbreviations and Definitions
  • References
• 11. Complex Formation of Lead(II) with Nucleotides and Their Constituents
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Comparisons of the Properties of Lead(II) with Those of Related Divalent Metal Ions
  • 3. Lead(II) Interactions with Hydroxyl Groups and Sugar Residues
  • 4. Interactions of Lead(II) with Nucleobase Residues
  • 5. Complexes of Lead(II) with Phosphates
  • 6. Lead(II) Complexes of Nucleotides
  • 7. Lead(II) Binding in Dinucleotides
  • 8. Concluding Remarks
  • Acknowledgment
  • Abbreviations and Definitions
  • References
• 12. The Role of Lead(II) in Nucleic Acids
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Relevant Properties of Lead(II) in Comparison to Other Divalent Metal Ions
  • 3. Structures of Lead(II) Binding Sites in Nucleic Acids
  • 4. Lead(II) as Hydrolytic Cleavage Agent to Probe Divalent Metal Ion Binding Sites and Single-Stranded RNA Regions
  • 5. Lead(II) as Catalytic and Structural Metal Ion
  • 6. Concluding Remarks and Future Directions
  • Acknowledgments
  • Abbreviations and Definitions
  • References
• 13. Historical View on Lead: Guidelines and Regulations
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Historical Views on Lead Toxicity
  • 3. Development of Guidelines and Regulations in the U. S
  • 4. Development of Guidelines and Regulations Around the World
  • 5. Conclusion
  • Abbreviations
  • References
• 14. Environmental Impact of Alkyl Lead(IV) Derivatives: Perspective after Their Phase-out
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. The Past
  • 3. Current Uses
  • 4. Chemistry
  • 5. After the Phase-Out
  • 6. Lessons and Perspectives
  • Abbreviations
  • References
• 15. Lead Toxicity in Plants
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction: Environmental Relevance of Lead Toxicity in Plants
  • 2. Critical Review of Proposed Mechanisms of Lead Toxicity in Plants
  • 3. Conclusions and Outlook
  • Acknowledgments
  • Abbreviations
  • References
• 16. Toxicology of Lead and Its Damage to Mammalian Organs
  • Abstract
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Neurotoxicity of Lead
  • 3. Immuno- and Hematotoxicity of Lead
  • 4. Nephrotoxicity of Lead
  • 5. Reproductive Toxicity of Lead
  • 6. Osteotoxicity of Lead
  • 7. Epidemiological Studies and Variables Associated with Low Blood Lead Levels
  • 8. Concluding Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • Abbreviations
  • References
• Subject Index