Environmental Toxicology is an international journal that publishes original research papers short communications critical reviews and technical methods papers on fundamental theoretical and applied aspects of environmental toxicology to reflect the recent expansion of its aims and scope. In the context of this journal environmental toxicology encompasses environmental health public health ecosystem health and water air and soil quality as well as other research subjects closely related to these study areas. Whereas studies on environmental toxicology are multidisciplinary in nature this journal will include contributions from but not limited to the following areas: mechanisms and processes depicting the dynamic interactions between chemicals and all biota including human such as metabolism biodegradation biotransformation bioconcentration bioremediation fate and pathways of chemicals synergism and antagonism and biodiversity; design development and refinement of short-term and long-term bioassay techniques/procedures for assessing chemical persistence toxicity genotoxicity mutagenicity carcinogenicity hazard and impact; epidemiology public health issues risk and exposure analysis ecosystem impact assessment and environmental industrial and occupational health/hazard assessment; management of toxic substances in the environment: generation collection storage and treatment; water air and soil quality criteria guidelines and policy development and international cooperation for global environmental conservation and sustainable development. Two main sections in the journal are Regular Reports which contain original research and review contributions and Technical Methods which feature detailed analytical techniques/procedures. Occasionally Letters to the Editors concerning the critical discussion of recently published papers or news of interesting events or book reviews will also be published. From time to time Environmental Toxicology will publish issues devoted exclusively to special topics e.g. cyanobacterial toxins (Volume 14 Issue 1 1999) that are subjects of timely interest and importance to researchers managers and policy makers in the field of environmental toxicology and health.