Environmental

Environmental health is the branch of public health that is concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health. It is focused on the natural and built environments for the benefit of human health, whereas environmental protection is concerned with protecting the natural environment for the benefit of human health and the ecosystem.

Definition

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines environmental health as: "Those aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social, and psychosocial factors in the environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting, controlling, and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations."

Factors and exposures

Environmental health involves understanding the impacts of environmental and human-made hazards and protecting human health and ecological systems against these hazards. This includes studying the impact of chemicals, radiation, microbiological agents, and climate change on human health.

Environmental health profession

Environmental health professionals may be known as environmental health officers, public health inspectors, environmental health specialists or environmental health practitioners. They inspect private and public premises for hazards which could affect health, and enforce public health laws.

See also

• Environmental health officer
• Public health
• Environmental protection
• World Health Organization

External links

• WHO topic page on Environmental health
• CDC's National Center for Environmental Health