[The environment and health. Environmental pollution and its health effects]

Both environment and health are terms of far-reaching meaning, which impedes a complete survey of their interactions. Originating from considerations about global phenomena, as e.g. the extinction of biological species, of the so called "forest dying", or of the extensive consumption of energy and material resources, on the hierarchy of effects on health of environmental damages on one hand or on the undisputable adaptivity of man in particular on the other, only actual examples are outlined. The groups of dioxins, asbestos and radon are outlined, considering them as representatives for the vast number of substances potentially harmful to the environment and for the complexity of the toxicological and oecological interactions with oecosphere, biosphere and man. By the examples, the principles of toxicological/oecological thinking are explained, finally never resulting in yes/no alternatives, but in compromises by sober balances of risk and benefit. The basically correct vigilance of the public against avoidable risks may not lead to hysteric reactions, impeding the concentration onto necessary and practicable solutions.