摘要：Environmental epidemiology, a well-established sub specialty of epidemiology, is of vital importance in the identification and pre-vention of environmentally linked morbidity and premature mortality. Perhaps more than most other applied sciences, the discipline of environmental epidemiology faces significant ethical challenges because of the involvement of powerful stake holders whose influence may affect all levels of research and policy formu-lation. Although findings of environ mental epidemiologic studies play a critical role in arguing for evidenced-based policies aimed at protecting the public from harms, they can also have direct effects on industry profits, political careers, academic funding, and professional advancement. Conflicting interests among var-ious stake holders create ethically challenging situations that may threaten the core tenets of the discipline, which focus on maintaining, enhancing, and promoting health in commu-nities worldwide
