How Do Epidemiologists Study Environmental Factors?

Epidemiologists use a variety of methods to study environmental exposures:

Observational Studies: These include cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies to identify associations between exposures and health outcomes.
Geospatial Analysis: Mapping disease incidence in relation to environmental exposures helps identify patterns and potential causes.
Biomonitoring: Measuring contaminants in biological samples (e.g., blood, urine) provides direct evidence of exposure.
Risk Assessment: Quantifying the potential health risks of environmental exposures helps in making informed decisions about regulations and interventions.