More than a year ago the three editors sat down at a table and worked out a set of six chapter headings which they believed might serve, in turn, for each of the three sections of this handbook. (The reader will note a similarity in order of presentation and in emphasis.) However, as our editorial plans progressed it became apparent that for each element and for the element group, there were one or two special topics appropiate for that section alone. Accordingly, in the section on uranium the common pattern holds for Chaps. 1 through 6 which include: an introduction (Chap. 1), a discussion of the physical and chemical properties (Chap. 2), experimental data on animals (Chap. 3), ex perimental data on man (Chap. 4), the rationale and development of air con centration limits to control industrial worker exposure (Chap. 5), and the prac tical problems of applying such limits in the uranium industry (Chap. 6). Chap. 7 entitled "Uranium Mining Hazards" is the subject category which is special for uranium; the chapter brings up to date the account of an important occupational hazard which was first noted by GEORGIUS AGRICOLA (1490-1555).

Uranium

Preface
1 A History of Uranium Poisoning (1824-1942)
2 Physical and Chemical Properties of Uranium
3 Animal Experiments
4 Data on Man
5 Protection Criteria
6 Environmental Monitoring and Personnel Protection in Uranium Processing
7 Uranium Mining Hazards
Plutonium
Preface
8 Biomedical Aspects of Plutonium (Discovery, Development, Projections)
9 Chemical and Physical Properties of Plutonium
10 Distribution, Excretion and Effects of Plutonium as a Bone-Seeker
11 Plutonium in Soft Tissues with Emphasis on the Respiratory Tract
12 Maximum Permissible Body Burdens and Concentrations of Plutonium: Biological Basis and History of Development
13 Bioassay of Plutonium
14 Plutonium. Industrial Hygiene, Health Physics, and Related Aspects
15 Plutonium in the Environment
Transplutonic Elements
Preface
16 A History of the Transplutonic Elements
17 Chemical and Physical Properties of the Transplutonium Elements
18 Metabolism and Biological Effects of the Transplutonium Elements
19 Maximum Permissible Concentrations and Maximum Permissible Body Burdens for Transplutonic Elements
20 Bioassay of Transplutonium Elements
21 Medical Uses: Americium-241; Californium-252
Author Index.