Environmental medicine, also called clinical ecology, is a multidisciplinary field involving medicine, environmental science, chemistry and others. The scope of this field involves studying the interactions between environment and human health, the cause of disease as caused by environmental factors including chemical, physical and biological agents.

Current focuses of environmental medicine

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Environmental medicine is a broad field, but there are a few issues that are currently prominent which include:

• The effects of ozone depletion and the resulting increase in UV radiation on humans with regards to skin cancer
• The effects of nuclear accidents or the effects of a terrorist dirty bomb attack and the resulting effects of radioactive material and radiation on humans.
• The effects of chemicals on humans, such as dioxin, especially with regards to cancer.
• Radon gas exposer in individuals' homes.
• Air and water pollution on the health of individuals.
• Mercury poisoning and exposer to humans though including fish and sea life in their diet.

Beyond the scope of environmental medicine

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The field of virology and epidemiology, which studies viruses, although are environmental in nature often are not within the scope of environmental science. As well, any disease with a large genetic component usually falls outside the scope as well.

Medical specialties