BOOK REVIEWS
Abstract
the fact that most of the silver used in photographic processing eventually is poured into the drainage system where it is concentrated in sewage sludge. The use of such sludge in fertilizer application may result in the possible concentration of silver in plants and lower animal life forms although it does not appear to form any human hazard. The increasing use in the United States of palladium in catalytic converters in car exhausts results in a source of emission of this metal directly into heavily populated areas. The authors estimate that about 40,000 troy ounces will be released from such sources in the United States during 1979. Because of the high toxicity of the noble metals, similar data for platinum would be useful to determine whether or not a real hazard from such sources exists. The volumes can be recommended as useful background information on these metals, particularly with regard to the industrial processes for refining and using the metals. However, because the vast majority of quantitative data in the books refers to conditions in the United States, they are of far greater direct use to workers there than elsewhere in the world. J. G. FIRTH Downloaded from