WHO's who in environmental epidemiology

Environmental epidemiology is the science which analyses and measures adverse health effects of environmental factors and evaluates the effectiveness of their control strategies. With increased industrialisation and urban development in Europe, these problems and efforts to solve them are now very much at the forefront of world attention. The analysis of the consequences of Chernobyl is a prime example of a situation where environmental epidemiology can help. Other current examples include the so‐called ‘green’ issues of urban sewage disposal, the effects of agricultural pesticides and fertilisers on the food chain, air quality and motor vehicle emissions, environmental planning deficiencies leading to traffic accidents and urban crowding, pollutant exposure in the work place, and the consequences of individual behaviour such as AIDS, the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Environmental epidemiology thus brings several disciplines together. There is still much to learn though from the formulation and analysis of appropriate strategies to help maintain an optimal balance between desired technological, economic, health and lifestyle factors, and sustained environmental quality.