Chemistry for Nonchemists

To effectively deal with any chemical-based problem, including pollution, environmental, health and safety professionals must have at least a rudimentary understanding of the basic concepts of chemistry. This book provides such professionals with an introductory reference that will help them to understand the fundamental principles of chemistry and to understand those principles as they apply to the environmental compliance programs that regulate workplace activity.

Written for anyone whose work involves environmental management, planning, impact assessment, protection, or compliance, or whose responsibilities include designing, implementing, and evaluating a health and safety program, Chemistry for Nonchemists provides a detailed overview of chemistry and its principles, chemical nomenclature, chemical reactions, and their application to regulatory compliance programs under the various environmental, health and safety laws. This book will help readers understand the "laws" of chemistry and the ramifications of out-of-control chemistry.

The book begins with a review of the periodic table, a look at chemical structure and bonding, and an explanation of key terms. The author, a 35-year environmental veteran, then focuses on the fundamentals of organic and inorganic chemistry, the chemistry of water, and chemical reactions as they apply to environmental compliance programs. From there, he moves to more advanced discussions of solvents and solutes and concludes with in-depth examinations of advanced sampling and analysis, the complex reactions of metals, and chemistry's role in risk assessment.

Frank R. Spellman, PhD, is a retired assistant professor of environmental health at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, and the author of more than 136 books covering topics ranging from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to all areas of environmental science and occupational health. Many of his texts are readily available online, and several have been adopted for classroom use at major universities throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Russia; two have been translated into Spanish for South American markets. Dr. Spellman has been cited in more than 550 publications. He serves as a professional expert witness for three law groups and as an incident/accident investigator for the U.S. Department of Justice and a northern Virginia law firm. In addition, he consults on homeland security vulnerability assessments for critical infrastructures including water/wastewater facilities nationwide and conducts pre-Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)/Environmental Protection Agency EPA audits throughout the country. Dr. Spellman lectures on sewage treatment, water treatment, and homeland security and lectures and safety topics throughout the country and teaches water/wastewater operator short courses at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, Virginia). He surveyed the drinking water ancient distribution system at Machu Picchu and studied Darwin’s Finches in the Galapagos Islands. In addition, he studied water pollution in Coco, Ecuador. He holds a BA, in public administration, a BS in business management, an MBA, and an MS and PhD in environmental engineering.