2004 [email protected]  or [email protected]   note for PHEH 622,PHEH 311

 

Environmental Health

1.          Health related to Environments: concerning environment as determinants of health

2.          Health of the environment: pollutions are the ill-health of environments.

 

Human health and the environment are interconnected. Our activities affect the natural environment and our surroundings have a significant impact on our health and well-being.

This  topic includes wide issues such as indoor air quality, climate change, toxic substances, water quality and second-hand smoke.

What is environmental health?

Ecology has taught us that "everything is connected to everything else." For example, our health is connected to the health of the environment through the food we eat,

the water we drink and the air we breathe. But environmental health also includes creating conditions in our environment that are good for health.

What do we mean by "environment"?
The word "environment" often brings to mind the natural environment, and issues like:

• Air pollution
• Toxic chemicals in food and drinking water
• Waste disposal
• Global warming.

However, our environment also means our homes, workplaces and communities. So creating healthy conditions in these places is also part of environmental health. Some examples of healthy conditions are:

• Good indoor air quality
• Safe workplaces and streets
• Good public transportation
• More natural spaces

·    Improved and regulated urban planning

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Who's responsible?
 It's everyone's job to protect and improve our health and that of our environment. This includes:

·    provincial, territorial, and municipal governments

• Industry and other business
• Non-governmental organizations (such as non-profits)
• Health, education, and environmental groups
• Workplaces.

Practice the "4 Rs":

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover items in your home.

For example, avoid excess packaging and buy refillable bottles when you're grocery shopping. Find out about services in your community that accept used clothes and other household items. Instead of sending it to the landfill, donate what you don't use, or have a garage sale.

Reduce the amount of energy and water you consume:
Leave your car at home whenever you can. Walk, bike or use public transportation. Try to use less electricity as well. Turn out the lights when you're not using them, and use appliances and light bulbs that are labelled "energy efficient."

Saving water is easy as well. For example, turn off the tap when you brush your teeth, and use a timer when you water your lawn. For more tips on earth-friendly lawn care,