Editor Friis (health science, California State U., Long Beach) has brought together contributions from a diverse, international roster of academics and practitioners to shape this clearly organized, far-reaching, four-volume reference. The World Health Organization has developed a definition of environmental health studies, and the range of issues is quite broad. In short, the field addresses all environmental factors that affect human health, and the goal is to mediate negative effects and create environments that support good health. A table in the introduction lists 19 broad themes and topics, and examples of subtopics. For example, under the broad theme of air quality are the subtopics of asthma, cardiovascular disease, exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke, health effects of goods movement, impact of outdoor air pollution, and specific air pollutants, among others. Under the broad theme of waste disposal are the subtopics of agricultural waste, hazardous waste management, liquid and solid waste disposal, and toxic waste sites. This handbook is comprehensive, albeit not exhaustive. Each volume focuses, respectively, on foundations of the field; agents of disease; water, air, and solid waste; and current issues and emerging debates. Each volume is indexed separately and contains 24 or 25 contributed chapters. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Read Less