Booklist

Taken alone, many of the quotes and facts about toxic waste found in this latest installment of the Compact Research: Energy and the Environment series could be downright frightening for young researchers. However, Kallen’s carefully organized monograph offers insight not just into the overwhelming problem of toxic waste, but also solutions and considerations for the future. A detailed chronology of topics, such as the potential harm of waste from electronics and the global impact of pollution, is included in the appendix. Replete with full-color images of toxic sludge and easily understandable graphs and charts, the book is a concise information source. Citations are clearly referenced and up to date. Primary source quotes are included for each chapter, offering a variety of perspectives, from scientists, business people, and politicians, on the gravity of the noxious waste problem. The book serves as a great starting point for student investigation, providing a long list of websites for further exploration.— Erin Anderson