摘要：High risk groups in
environmental epidemiology are characterized by particularly high exposure levels with respect pollutant
agents occurring in the various environmental matrices. An investigation of these groups may offer elements
of interest also for the general population, which is exposed to lower levels of the agents at study, besides
providing the evidence needed in order to implement appropriate remedial action. The discussion of four casestudies
concerning populations resident in the neighbourhood of waste dump sites, power lines, incinerators
and in areas with presence of fluoro-edenitic fibres, throws light on the rationale of studies on high risk groups.
Special emphasis in placed on validity aspects, connections between epidemiologic studies and remediation
interventions and ethical issues.
关键词：environmental epidemiology, high risk groups, waste dump sites, magnetic fields, incinerators,
fluoro-edenite, participatory research.
