The use of epidemiology for establishing hazards and risk

The strategies by which epidemiology addresses potential health effects are described and contrasted with experimental laboratory assessments of health and safety. The role of epidemiology in establishing regulatory standards is discussed. This approach is illustrated by the study of residential 60 Hz magnetic field exposure in relation to childhood cancer. It is concluded that although the difficulties in quantifying exposure, threat of bias, and frequent inconsistency of results place limitations on epidemiology, it should and probably will continue to play a key role in the developing of exposure standards