Topics in Environmental Epidemiology [Hardcover]

Kyle Steenland (Editor), David Savitz (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0195095642 | ISBN-13: 978-0195095647 | Edition: 1

A comprehensive survey of the epidemiology of common environmental exposures, this volume covers diet, water, particulates in outdoor air, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, environmental tobacco smoke, radon in homes, electromagnetic fields, and lead. Design and analysis issues, risk assessment and meta-analysis, and future directions in environmental epidemiology are also discussed. All chapters provide a review of the relevant literature as well as an overview of important methodologic issues, particularly exposure assessment and statistical methods.
Most of these exposures are widespread and low-level, and are thought to increase the risk of chronic diseases that have many causes. Even though the disease risks due to these exposures may be low, the public health burden may be significant because large numbers of people are exposed. Such exposures are inherently difficult to detect via observational epidemiology. This book clarifies the problems and suggests ways to move forward. It will be useful to students and practitioners of public health, environmental health, and epidemiology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Comprehensive overviews of each issue, with abundant references..." Chronic Diseases in Canada (vol.18,no.3,1997)

"Generally, the book succeeds in the areas it has selected.... The choice of authors is admirable. Many of the names (such as Joel Schwartz, Allan Smith, Douglas Dockery, as well as the editors) will be recognized as leaders in the field....I believe it would be appropriate for second year epidemiology students, or epidemiologists in other fields who want some background on envirnmental issues....Every student in environmental epidemiology should be exposed to the lessons of Minamata and Yusho. This book provides a good way to get that exposure."--Epimonitor

"Although the title-Topics in environmentral epidemiology-conjures up an image of a series of essays, each loosely connected by a broad subject but otherwise distinct in content and style, the image in misleading. This book provides a complete overview of the field reviewing both methodology and existing knowledge, with a coherent and readable style throughout....I enjoyed reading this book. In addition to those specifically interested in environmental health, I believe it will be of interest to a variety of other readers. In particular, the chapters on methodology could be used by students of public health and epidemiology as introductory texts."--International Journal of Epidemiology

About the Author

Kyle Steenland, Ph.D., is Senior Epidemiologist at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control. He is the editor of Case Studies in Occupational Epidemiology (OUP, 1993).
David Savitz, Ph.D., is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 363 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (January 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195095642
• ISBN-13: 978-0195095647
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,139,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Survey of environmental epidemiology subjects, May 21, 2000

By 

Mare (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Topics in Environmental Epidemiology (Hardcover)

This book was assigned in my graduate level course in environmental epidemiology. Steenland and Savitz provide adequate introductory and background information for environmental epi and the rest of the chapters are written by experts in their respective fields.

The only problem I had with the book is the very different writing styles between authors of chapters. If you attempt to read more than one chapter in one sitting, you might want to take a breather in between chapters and clear your mind a bit. Otherwise, the 358 pages are a great summary of the thousands of scientific articles one would need to read to begin to understand this complex field. The editors and authors have done a nice job choosing subjects that are at the core of environmental epi and that are interesting as well. It was informative and educational.