Epidemiological monitoring in environmental health: introduction and overview

Epidemiological monitoring as used here is the repeated standardized evaluation of the health status of a population for the purpose of protecting this population from environmental health hazards. It is contrasted with epidemiological studies and environmental monitoring. Non-specificity of environmental monitoring is an important justification for epidemiological monitoring. In considering why epidemiological monitoring has not been more extensively used, historical, conceptual, and technical reasons are suggested. A modest increase in resources in this field is likely to be relatively cost-effective.