My professional interest in antimicrobial agents and contamination control goes back 50 years to my tour as a microbiologist in a field hospital in Europe during World War II. With no experience and relying solely on a military handbook, I prepared thermometer trays with jars of blue bichloride of mercury and pink isopropyl alcohol. A preliminary typhoid diagnosis of one of our cooks resulted in the need for lab testing. His stool specimen and its subsequent disposal was my problem. My handbook said bum it. So burn it T did, in a five-gallon can with gasoline. Flames shot up almost six feet, and my next mistake was to extinguish them with carbon tetrachloride. This resulted in the production of lethal phosgene gas. The hospital had a near disaster. I could say that at that moment I vowed to write a how-to book so that such stupidities could be avoided. Nevertheless, when I was offered the opportunity to edit this book I thought back on the need for a real, practical treatment of my subject. This book, then, is a practical handbook for technical service personnel and scientists who are not necessarily specialists in microbiology. It provides information on suitable antimicrobial agents appropriate to their particular problem-solving needs and information on the microbial groups contributing to the specific problem, their ecologies, and strategies for controlling their access to the area or material of interest.

My professional interest in antimicrobial agents and contamination control goes back 50 years to my tour as a microbiologist in a field hospital in Europe during World War II. With no experience and relying solely on a military handbook, I prepared thermometer trays with jars of blue bichloride of mercury and pink isopropyl alcohol. A preliminary typhoid diagnosis of one of our cooks resulted in the need for lab testing. His stool specimen and its subsequent disposal was my problem. My handbook said bum it. So burn it T did, in a five-gallon can with gasoline. Flames shot up almost six feet, and my next mistake was to extinguish them with carbon tetrachloride. This resulted in the production of lethal phosgene gas. The hospital had a near disaster. I could say that at that moment I vowed to write a how-to book so that such stupidities could be avoided. Nevertheless, when I was offered the opportunity to edit this book I thought back on the need for a real, practical treatment of my subject. This book, then, is a practical handbook for technical service personnel and scientists who are not necessarily specialists in microbiology. It provides information on suitable antimicrobial agents appropriate to their particular problem-solving needs and information on the microbial groups contributing to the specific problem, their ecologies, and strategies for controlling their access to the area or material of interest.

The Desk Encyclopedia of Microbiology aims to provide an affordable and ready access to a large variety of microbiological topics within one set of covers. This handy desk-top reference brings together an outstanding collection of work by the top scientists in the field. Covering topics ranging from the basic science of microbiology to the current "hot" topics in the field.* Provides a broad, easily accessible perspective on a wide range of microbiological topics* A synthesis of the broadest topics from the comprehensive and multi-volumed Encyclopedia of Microbiology, Second Edition * Helpful resource in preparing for lectures, writing reports, or drafting grant applications

This handbook contains comprehensive information on more than 5000 trade names and generic chemicals and materials that are used in a broad range of formulations to prevent the contamination and decomposition of end products. Product degradation can be caused by exposure to oxygen, ozone, bacteria, molds, yeast, mildew, and fungi. The industries that depend on the proper selection of preserving chemicals and materials are diverse and include: plastics, elastomers, construction, paper/pulp, agriculture, textiles, paints and coatings, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, beverages.This handbook contains comprehensive information on a variety of preservatives available from major chemical manufacturers and can expedite the material selection process for chemists, formulators and purchasing agents by providing the answers to these questions:? Is the agent capable of inhibiting the detrimental effects of oxygen, ozone, or microbes to the extent necessary?? Is the agent's overall physical and chemical attributes compatible with the product or system being protected?? Can the agent remain stable under storage conditions and for the application requirements?? Is its safety in production and handling acceptable?? Does its level of toxicity meet environmental regulations?? Does it meet cost requirements?

This handbook provides an overview on wood science and technology of unparalleled comprehensiveness and international validity. It describes the fundamental wood biology, chemistry and physics, as well as structure-property relations of wood and wood-based materials. The different aspects and steps of wood processing are presented in detail from both a fundamental technological perspective and their realisation in industrial contexts. The discussed industrial processes extend beyond sawmilling and the manufacturing of adhesively bonded wood products to the processing of the various wood-based materials, including pulp and paper, natural fibre materials and aspects of bio-refinery. Core concepts of wood applications, quality and life cycle assessment of this important natural resource are presented. The book concludes with a useful compilation of fundamental material parameters and data as well as a glossary of terms in accordance with the most important industry standards. Written and edited by a truly international team of experts from academia, research institutes and industry, thoroughly reviewed by external colleagues, this handbook is well-attuned to educational demands, as well as providing a summary of state-of-the-art research trends and industrial requirements. It is an invaluable resource for all professionals in research and development, and engineers in practise in the field of wood science and technology.

This Springer Handbook of Metrology and Testing presents the principles of Metrology – the science of measurement – and the methods and techniques of Testing – determining the characteristics of a given product – as they apply to chemical and microstructural analysis, and to the measurement and testing of materials properties and performance, including modelling and simulation. The principal motivation for this Handbook stems from the increasing demands of technology for measurement results that can be used globally. Measurements within a local laboratory or manufacturing facility must be able to be reproduced accurately anywhere in the world. The book integrates knowledge from basic sciences and engineering disciplines, compiled by experts from internationally known metrology and testing institutions, and academe, as well as from industry, and conformity-assessment and accreditation bodies. The Commission of the European Union has expressed this as there is no science without measurements, no quality without testing, and no global markets without standards.

The Cleaning and Disinfection handbook is aimed at those working within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors around the world, as well as providing valuable information for students and for the general reader. The book provides comprehensive detail on different types of disinfectants and their modes of action; explains the problems of microbial destruction and resistance; introduces cleaning techniques and the latest safety regulations; expounds upon the application of cleaning within healthcare and pharmaceutical environments, noting current national and international standards. The book also provides guidance on disinfectant efficacy testing. Assembled by expert practitioners, the book balances theoretical concepts with sound practical advice, and is likely to become the definitive text on keeping contamination in control within clean areas and controlled environments. With this second edition, the book is fully updated in line with the latest standards and regulations.