Writing for students with a general chemistry prerequisite, Baird (university of Western Ontario) and co-author Cann (U. of Scranton) examine serious environmental issues and their chemical bases. Their main topics include air and energy, particularly changes in the ozone layer, indoor and outdoor air pollution, the greenhouse effect and global warming, and renewable energy. Sections on toxic organic chemicals and water include the impact of pesticides and toxic heavy metals. They also examine soils, radioactivity, radon and nuclear energy in terms of chemistry. They include exercises (and solutions to the odd-numbered ones) and a chapter on background organic chemistry. A student solutions manual and web site are available. Annotation ⓒ2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)