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Environmental health reviews, 2003. (Introduction).


The study of environmental health is undergoing revolutionary changes as we begin to understand more clearly the relationships between human health, wildlife health, and ecosystem health. In effect, a new field of study is being born. Attempts are being made at naming this emerging transdisciplinary field. One such name is "conservation medicine"; a book on that topic was recently reviewed in Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP EHP
abbr.
1. effective horsepower

2. electric horsepower
) (Ali 2003).

The realization that human health cannot be isolated and studied independently means that scientific disciplines must become much more integrated. Although this integration is exciting, it poses an incredible challenge to the would-be practitioner's ability to handle mountains of additional information. Not only must this diverse information be reviewed, but it also must be synthesized within the scientist's existing knowledge base.

Even though there are daunting daunt  
tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts
To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay.



[Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin
 difficulties presented by our newly acquired knowledge, working in the field of environmental health becomes even more exciting. The explosion of new techniques and approaches and the integration of disciplines make the very near future look as exciting for the environmental health scientist as any other time in history.

EHP must continue to change in order to provide information the practitioners of this new field of conservation medicine require. Our coverage must be broader and more integrative. Fortunately, EHP has recognized the needs of its readership and has been providing broader coverage over the years through publication of news, research articles, and monographs. In addition, for the last eight years, EHP editors have published an Annual Review issue aimed at broadening the perspectives of our readers.

In developing the Annual Review issue, the editors meet throughout the year to discuss recent scientific advances and select topics for inclusion. This year we have become much more aware of the new trend requiring integration of disciplines. We have asked our authors to assist in this integration of information and to present the information in a critical manner. So, again, this year we present reviews that summarize new developments in environmentally relevant areas, provide a context for these new findings, and provide sufficient background information for those unfamiliar with the specific topic.

We feel that reading EHP's Annual Review issue is an exceptionally good way for individuals beginning their studies in environmental health as well as those well established in their research to assimilate the latest knowledge in this rapidly growing field. With the emerging need for transdiscipinary knowledge, reading the Annual Review issue and other thoughtful, integrative reviews will become a necessity.

This year we address issues associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals by presenting articles by Welshons et al., who explore the case for low-dose effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and Borgert et al., who review methods for comparing estrogenic activity of endogenous and exogenous chemicals in human milk and infant formula Infant formula is an artificial substitute for human breast milk. Formulas are designed for infant consumption, and are usually based on either cow milk or soy milk. Use of infant formula has been decreasing in industrial countries for over forty years as a result of antenatal . A review of environmental pollutants environmental pollutants,
n.pl the substances and conditions, including noise, that adversely affect the health and well-being of the people within a community.
 and breast cancer by Brody and Rudel allows you to examine current knowledge gaps, design challenges, and contrasting evidence in this important area of research.

You will read about the etiology and pathogenesis of uterine uterine /uter·ine/ (u´ter-in) pertaining to the uterus.

u·ter·ine
adj.
Of, relating to, or in the region of the uterus.
 leiomyomas (fibroids Fibroids
Benign tumors of muscle and connective tissue that develop within or are attached to the uterine wall.

Mentioned in: Menstrual Disorders
), as presented by Flake et al. With Liu et al. you will be able to consider the role of environmental factors in the late-onset and slow-progressing nature of sporadic Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonism, degenerative brain disorder first described by the English surgeon James Parkinson in 1817. When there is no known cause, the disease usually appears after age 40 and is referred to as Parkinson's disease. . Students and health practitioners alike will be interested in reading the review on the role of genetic polymorphisms in disease susceptibility (Kelada et al.). Explore with Wade et al. the effect of recreational water quality on gastrointestinal illness.

Stay current with the state of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-sponsored research on particulate matter by reading an update by Lippmann et al. The authors provide updates on biological mechanisms, acute and chronic effects, dosimetry dosimetry /do·sim·e·try/ (do-sim´e-tre) scientific determination of amount, rate, and distribution of radiation emitted from a source of ionizing radiation, in biological d. , and exposure assessment. Learn how the presence of metals in hazardous waste Hazardous waste

Any solid, liquid, or gaseous waste materials that, if improperly managed or disposed of, may pose substantial hazards to human health and the environment. Every industrial country in the world has had problems with managing hazardous wastes.
 sites can affect the biodegradation of organic pollutants (Sandrin and Maier). And finally, read the mini-monograph on the highly charged issue of the allergenic Allergenic
A substance capable of causing an allergic reaction.

Mentioned in: Echinococcosis
 potential of genetically modified foods (Bannon et al.; Bernstein et al.; Germolec et al.; Kimber et al.; Metcalfe; Selgrade et al.).

Let us add that the mini-monograph is a new concept for EHP. These mini-monographs go beyond the limits of the traditional reviews by providing insight and depth of coverage not possible in a traditional review article. Because environmental health studies are becoming more transdisciplinary, the mini-monograph series might prove to be the future review format of choice. Your feedback on this new concept would be appreciated.

REFERENCES

Ali R. 2003. Book review: Conservation Medicine: Ecological Health in Practice. Environ Health Perspect 111:A246

Bannon G, Fu T-J, Kimber I, Hinton DM. 2003. Protein digestibility digestibility

the proportion of a feed or diet which can be digested by the normal animal of the subject species.


digestibility coefficient
see digestibility coefficient.
 and relevance to allergenicity. Environ Health Perspect 111:1122-1124.

Bernstein JA, Bernstein IL, Bucchini L, Goldman LR, Hamilton RG, Lehrer S, et al. 2003. Clinical and laboratory investigation of allergy to genetically modified foods. Environ Health Perspect 111:1114-1121.

Borgert CJ, LaKind JS, Witorsch RJ. 2003. A critical review of methods for comparing estrogenic activity of endogenous and exogenous chemicals in human milk and infant formula. Environ Health Perspect 111:1020-1036.

Brody JG, Rudel RA. 2003. Environmental pollutants and breast cancer. Environ Health Perspect 111:1007-1019.

Flake GP, Andersen J, Dixon D. 2003. Etiology and pathogenesis of uterine leiomyomas: a review. Environ Health Perspect 111:1037-1054.

Germolec DR, Kimber I, Goldman L, Selgrade M. 2003. Key issues for the assessment of the allergenic potential of genetically modified foods: breakout group reports. Environ Health Perspect 111:1131-1139.

Kelada SN, Eaton DL, Wang SS, Rothman NR, Khoury MJ. 2003. The role of genetic polymorphisms in environmental health. Environ Health Perspect 111:1055-1064.

Kimber I, Dearman RJ, Penninks AH, Knippels LMJ LMJ Leonardo Music Journal , Buchanan BB, Hammerberg B, et al. 2003. Assessment of protein allergenicity on the basis of immune reactivity: animal models. Environ Health Perspect 111:1125-1130.

Lippmann M, Frampton M, Schwartz J, Dockery D, Schlesinger R, Koutrakis P, et al. 2003. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), independent agency of the U.S. government, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1970 to reduce and control air and water pollution, noise pollution, and radiation and to ensure the safe handling and  Particulate Matter Health Effects Research Centers Program: a midcourse mid·course  
n.
1. The part of a missile flight between the end of the launching phase and reentry, during which corrective maneuvers are made.

2. The middle point of a course or of a course of action.
 report of status, progress, and plans. Environ Health Perspect 111:1074-1092.

Liu B, Gao H-M, Hong J-S J-S Jam-to-Signal Ratio . 2003. Parkinson's disease and exposure to infectious agents and pesticides and the occurrence of brain injuries: role of neuroinflammation. Environ Health Perspect 111:1065-1073.

Sandrin R, Maier RM. 2003. Impact of metals on the biodegradation of organic pollutants. Environ Health Perspect 111:1093-1101.

Metcalfe DD. 2003. Introduction: What are the issues in addressing the allergenic potential of genetically modified foods? Environ Health Perspect 111:1110-1113.

Selgrade MK, Kimber I, Goldman L, Germolec DR. 2003. Assessment of allergenic potential of genetically modified foods: an agenda for future research. Environ Health Perspect 111:1140-1141.

Wade TJ, Pai N, Eisenberg JNS JNS Journal of Neurosurgery
JNS Jump If No Sign
JNS Narssaq, Greenland (Airport Code)
JNS Journal of Neoplatonic Studies
JNS Justification for New Start
, Colford JM Jr. 2003. Do U.S. Environmental Protection Agency water quality guidelines for recreational waters prevent gastrointestinal illness? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Health Perspect 111:1102-1109.

Welshons WV, Thayer KA, Judy BM, Taylor JA, Curran EM, vom Saal FS. 2003. Large effects from small exposures. I. Mechanisms for endocrine-disrupting chemicals with estrogenic activity. Environ Health Perspect 111:994-1006.

James Burkhart and Thomas J. Goehl

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is one of 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),which is a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Director of the NIEHS is Dr. David A. Schwartz. , Research Triangle Park Research Triangle Park, research, business, medical, and educational complex situated in central North Carolina. It has an area of 6,900 acres (2,795 hectares) and is 8 × 2 mi (13 × 3 km) in size. Named for the triangle formed by Duke Univ. , North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures


Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop.
, USA
COPYRIGHT 2003 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2003, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Article Details
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Author:Goehl, Thomas J.
Publication:Environmental Health Perspectives
Date:Jun 15, 2003
Words:1174
Previous Article:Exploiting genome data to understand the function, regulation, and evolutionary origins of toxicologically relevant genes. (Meeting Report).
Next Article:Large effects from small exposures. I. mechanisms for endocrine-disrupting chemicals with estrogenic activity. (Research Review).



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