Epidemics of non-infectious disease

Epidemics of non-infectious disease are often caused by exposure to industrial products, intermediates or by-products, either in the work-place or as a result of the contamination of a wider environment. Although the prime objective of research must be the recognition of the hazard and the evaluation of its magnitude so that illness may be prevented, close collaboration of clinicians, epidemiologists and toxicologists should lead to the acquisition of much knowledge of the mechanisms by which disease is caused. Catastrophes, though always regrettable, must be seen as experiments demanding careful analysis and exploitation. Many examples of different types of problem will be selected from the numerous epidemics from the time of the Schneeberg and Joachimsthal miners to the recent concern with contamination of the environs of Seveso by dioxin.