The role of the pathologist in environmental medicine and public health

Abstract

The present paper summarizes the role of the morbid anatomist and clinical pathologist in environmental carcinogenesis. It points out that in the past he has contributed considerably to the identification of rare tumors and their etiology. He has an important role to play in the future in providing more accurate data on which epidemiology studies can be developed. The view is also expressed that it is highly important that modern pathologists have an understanding of toxicologic and pharmacologic techniques and their potential application to biologic material in order that they may be in a position to correlate and develop multidisciplinary approaches to the identification of environmental hazards. Some of these approaches are illustrated and their potential developments outlined.