Role of present and future atomic parity violation experiments in precision electroweak tests

Recent reanalyses of the atomic physics effects on the weak charge in cesium have led to a value in much closer agreement with predictions of the standard model. We review precision electroweak tests, their implications for upper bounds on the mass of the Higgs boson, possible ways in which these bounds may be circumvented, and the requirements placed upon accuracy of future atomic parity violation experiments by these considerations.