Some of the most significant and potentially devastating dangers to human and animal life come from sources we cannot see without the help of microscopes. Viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms have been a troubling presence in the world probably from the time multicellular life first appeared. As part of the new Science and Technology in Focus series, Biohazards covers the history of how these extremely powerful microscopic invaders have plagued the human race and how humans have responded to these attacks. Comprehensive and up to date, this volume looks at the recent resurgence of diseases that were once thought vanished, such as tuberculosis and staphylococcus. It also explores the renewed threat of biological warfare in the form of bioterrorism following the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Using the most recent information available, Biohazards covers other important topics such as the recent anthrax scare, the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS, and the recurring outbreaks of extremely deadly diseases such as Ebola..

Lethality of the very small: Invisible to the human eye -- Where the small things are -- Keeping things under wraps -- Biohazards in the modern world -- Biohazards throughout history: Great plagues -- Epidemics and pandemics of the 20th century -- Early attempts at containment -- From success to stalemate -- Modern-day risks: Biohazards as weaponry -- Biohazards abroad -- Biohazard accidents and biohazard incidents -- Rise of worldwide pathogens -- Drug resistance -- Perception of disease: Microbes on the molecular level -- Microbes as sets of symptoms -- Ecology of microbes -- Appendixes: Glossary -- Further reading -- World wide web sites -- Index.