Throughout the world, scientists and the general with environmental illness. Part II presents an over­ public are concerned about the adverse effects of view of chemical and physical agents commonly toxic agents found in contaminated air, water, food, found in contaminated air, water, food, and soil. and soil. In the past, attention has focused on haz­ The problem of hazardous wastes is also discussed. ards originating in the workplace. As a consequence, Part III characterizes the body's defense against occupational medicine has become a well-recognized such exposure. Defenses at the portals of entry are and established clinical discipline. Much less atten­ discussed, with emphasis placed on the role of tion has been paid to nonoccupational hazards. There nutrition. Detoxication and immunologic defense is a growing awareness, however, of the dangers of mechanisms are described. Part IV indicates the exposure to toxic chemical and physical agents in importance of and provides instruction on the the homes, community, and general environment, method of including occupational and environmen­ especially for the fetus, the infant, the very young, tal factors in the routine medical history. The role of the elderly, and the chronically ill, those most sus­ enhanced susceptibility as a factor in an individual's ceptible. Environmental medicine, fOCUSing on the response to toxic exposure is discussed.