'Environmental Epidemiology and Risk Assessment' addresses the historical development of environmental epidemiology, touching on recent sensationalized environmental tragedies such as Love Canal and Chernobyl. Understanding the importance that public opinion plays in the success or failure of any important regulatory decision involving human studies, the authors elaborate the issue of communicating scientific findings to the public. The authors have employed the material in this book while teaching graduate courses in epidemiology and in the application of field studies for environmentally related risk assessment. 'Environmental Epidemiology and Risk Assessment' is convenient for students to use in independent study, while instructors can use it as a reference and background source for classroom lectures. Each chapter contains a list of specific learning objectives, a detailed narrative including illustrations and case histories, and instructive assignments. The authors have also provided a list of recommended reading which complements the extensive bibliography and selected glossaries. This comprehensive text provides state-of-the-art instruction in the methodologic considerations with the design and conduct of environmental epidemiologic studies. The authors discuss disease mechanisms, the study of disease clusters, and surveillance techniques as these topics relate to environmental epidemiology.