Abstract
In modern agriculture and industry there is a heavy dependence on a wide range of synthetic chemical agents many of which appear to have no counterparts in nature. Many of these compounds, by their very nature and complexity, are resistant to degradation when released into soil, water, and air. Unfortunately the repeated use and release of such synthetics has become an everyday occurrance resulting in the phenomenon of environmental pollution. In a number of instances, as with the herbicide 2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and its potent contaminant TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin), these pollutants can be mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic and any environmental accumulation poses a health hazard to both human and animal populations (SEILER 1978). A recognition of this problem has led to restrictions on the use and release of recalcitrant molecules, greater use of existing biodegradable compounds, and the development of nonpersistent, less toxic alternatives.
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Pemberton, J.M. (1981). Genetic engineering and biological detoxification of environmental pollutants. In: Gunther, F.A., Gunther, J.D. (eds) Residue Reviews. Residue Reviews, vol 78. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5910-7_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5910-7_1
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