Environmental pollution and related human health concerns have now reached critical levels in many areas of the world. International programs for researching, monitoring and preventing the causes of these phenomena are ongoing in many countries. There is an imperative call for reliable and cost-effective information on the basal pollution levels both for areas already involved in intense industrial activities, and for sites with industrial development potential. Biomonitoring methods can be used as unfailing tools for the control of contaminated areas, as well as in environmental prevention studies. Human biomonitoring is now widely recognized as a tool for human exposure assessment, providing suitable and useful indications of the `internal dose' of chemical agents. Bioindicators, biomonitors, and biomarkers are all well-known terms among environmental scientists, although their meanings are sometimes misrepresented. Therefore, a better and full comprehension of the role of biological monitoring, and its procedures for evaluating polluting impacts on environment and health is needed. This book gives an overview of the state of the art of relevant aspects of biological monitoring for the evaluation of ecosystem quality and human health. One of the primary goals in this effort has been to develop reliable and cost-effective means of monitoring basal pollution levels in areas of interest. This book has made a useful contribution to this end and offers a unique tool for both research and application. It is a well-written overview of potential biomarker function. The strength of Conti's book is the well-balanced combination of theory and applications supported by a solid list of references that make the book a valuable information resource for young scientists, faculty members, public health experts, and specialists in industry or government institutions dealing with the problem of environmental quality and health. The book is highly recommended also to university students of public health and related disciplines. --Ecohealth 5, November 2008 "...well written and would serve as an informative reference inclusive of a braod range of topics, or as an appropriate textbook for mid-level to advanced study of biological monitoring." --The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol 84, No 2, June 2009 "...well written and would serve as an informative reference inclusive of a braod range of topics, or as an appropriate textbook for mid-level to advanced study of biological monitoring." --The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol 84, No 2, June 2009 "...well written and would serve as an informative reference inclusive of a braod range of topics, or as an appropriate textbook for mid-level to advanced study of biological monitoring." --The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol 84, No 2, June 2009 "...well written and would serve as an informative reference inclusive of a braod range of topics, or as an appropriate textbook for mid-level to advanced study of biological monitoring." --The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol 84, No 2, June 2009 This title was reviewed in the Journal of Environmental Quality (September 2008) and Ecohealth (Nov. 2008). Marcelo Enrique Conti is Professor of Environmental Impact Assessment, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy, Professor of Environmental Impact Assessment, University of Urbino, Italy, and Member of the SPES Development Studies Research Centre at t he University of Rome La Sapienza Professor Conto's research is on biological monitoring and analytical methods of quality control of ecosystems. He is also interested in managerial problems in environmental heritage. He has been a frequent invited lecturer in various universities around the world, both in Italy and outside Italy. He participates in Italian and foreign scientific organizations in the environmental and nutritional fields and coordinates various research projects in the fields of Environmental Management and Environmental Impact Assessment. In addition to his academic and research appointments, Professor Conti is Vicepresident of the International Academy of Environmental Sciences (IAES), Venice; Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Environment and Health (IJENVH); Section Editor (Environmental Chemistry section) of the Chemistry Central Journal; Member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Environment and Pollution (IJEP); Member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning. Member of the Editorial Board of the World Journal of Chemistry, IDOSI. He ha s also served as co-chair for the International Conference THE RAVAGE OF THE PLANET 2006, First International Conference on Management of Natural Resources, Sustainable Development and Ecological Hazards, 12-14 December, Bariloche, Argentina and the International Web-Satellite Conference of the International Academy of Environmental Sciences (IAES): HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND JUSTICE. An International Environmental