Immune reactions in a changing environment. USA initiatives

Environmental hazards occurring as an undesirable consequence of economic progress, urbanization and pollution have become a worldwide concern. In the US, this is evident from the campaign against smoking which has focused attention on the lung in part because the lung as a target organ is constantly exposed to many visible environmental hazards. On the other hand, environmental hazards which are not lethal, but cause their effects in an insidious fashion, may be difficult to study and identify. Among the disciplines available to assess adverse health consequences of xenobiotics ('strange' substances in our environment), application of modern immunological methods in concert with traditional toxicologic studies have to date demonstrated significant progress in drug allergy, food allergy, environmentally induced lung diseases and autoimmunity. These successes have come from the collaboration of immunologists, allergologists, pulmonologists, pharmacologists and toxicologists. In fact, a newer discipline of immunotoxicology has emerged in order to deal with these complex issues. The National Institutes of Health, through a series of workshops and research initiatives, and in collaboration with other US government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the National Academy of Sciences, is attempting to foster research aimed at enhancing progress in the field of immunotoxicology. The overall aim is to encourage the use of modern immunologic approaches to the study of the alleged harmful effects of xenobiotics on the immune system. Success will permit the development of improved diagnostic tools followed by initiatives concerned with prevention. Apart from their scientific implications the results are expected to have an impact on social, legal and economic issues within society.