Key aspects of environmental health

• Environmental hazards and exposures
  Environmental health professionals identify and assess exposures to various hazards that can impact health.
  • Air Pollution
    Contamination of the air by substances like particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, and other pollutants from sources like vehicles, industries, and fires. Air pollution can cause respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and other health problems.

  • Water Quality
    Protecting drinking water and recreational water from contamination by pathogens, chemicals, and other pollutants. Unsafe drinking water can lead to diarrheal diseases and other illnesses.

  • Chemical Exposure
    Exposure to hazardous substances like lead, asbestos, pesticides, and other chemicals in the environment, workplaces, and homes can cause a variety of health issues, including neurological problems, cancer, and birth defects.

  • Radiation Exposure
    Understanding and controlling exposure to radiation, both natural and man-made.

  • Microbiological Agents
    Exposure to bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in food, water, and air can cause infectious diseases.

  • Built Environment
    Aspects of urban and rural development, including housing, infrastructure, and access to resources like healthy foods, can impact physical activity levels, mental health, and the prevalence of chronic diseases.

• Disease prevention and health promotion
  A central goal of environmental health is to prevent diseases and promote healthier living conditions.
  
  • Developing and enforcing regulations
    Laws like the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act are designed to protect public health from environmental hazards.

  • Implementing interventions
    This involves actions like treating environmental media to remove toxic agents or promoting vaccinations against environmentally-related infectious diseases.

  • Educating the public
    Raising awareness about environmental health risks and providing guidance on how to minimize exposure and promote healthy habits.

  • Responding to environmental emergencies
    Managing and mitigating the health impacts of natural disasters, industrial accidents, and other environmental emergencies.

• Climate Change and Environmental Health
  Climate change is a major and growing concern in environmental health. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events (like heatwaves, floods, and droughts), changes in disease vector distribution, and impacts on food and water security all pose increasing threats to human health and well-being. Those most vulnerable to climate-related health effects, such as children, the elderly, and low-income populations, face disproportionate risks.

Role of environmental health professionals

• Assessing and managing environmental risks
  Identifying hazards, evaluating exposure levels, and implementing control measures.

• Enforcing environmental legislation
  Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

• Conducting research
  Studying the links between environmental factors and health outcomes to inform policies and interventions.

• Responding to public health emergencies
  Addressing environmental health issues during natural disasters, outbreaks, and other crises. 

1. Climate change

• Extreme weather events
  Increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires directly impact health, causing injuries, heat-related illnesses, and respiratory problems.

• Vector-borne diseases
  Warmer temperatures and altered rainfall patterns expand the geographical range and extend the seasons of disease vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, increasing the risk of diseases like malaria and Lyme disease.

• Water and food insecurity
  Droughts and changes in rainfall patterns affect agricultural yields and drinking water supplies, leading to food shortages and malnutrition, particularly in vulnerable regions.

• Air pollution
  Climate change can worsen air pollution, increasing risks for heart and lung diseases.

2. Air pollution

• Respiratory illnesses
  Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and ozone can cause and aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer.

• Cardiovascular diseases
  Long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular disease.

• Environmental inequalities
  Air pollution disproportionately impacts marginalized communities who often live near industrial areas or major transportation routes.

3. Water scarcity and contamination

• Waterborne diseases
  Contaminated water, often from human and animal waste, can transmit diseases like cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, and polio.

• Chemical pollution
  Industrial and agricultural runoff, as well as natural sources like arsenic and fluoride, can contaminate drinking water with harmful chemicals and heavy metals, posing risks to health.

• Infrastructure deficiencies
  Inadequate water infrastructure and lack of proper waste management contribute to water contamination, particularly in informal settlements.

4. Chemical pollution

• Toxic exposures
  Exposure to pesticides, heavy metals (like lead and mercury), and endocrine disruptors (found in plastics and cosmetics) can disrupt hormonal and neurological functions, damage organs, and increase the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and developmental disorders, says the Marine Biodiversity Science Center.

• Long-term health effects
  Chronic exposure to certain chemicals can lead to serious and irreversible health conditions, including asthma, eczema, and infertility. 

5. Waste management

• Environmental degradation
  Inadequate collection and disposal of solid and hazardous waste pollute water sources, contaminate soil, release harmful gases into the atmosphere, and foster the growth of disease vectors like rodents and insects.

• Health risks
  Exposure to pollutants from burning waste can cause respiratory illnesses, while contact with hazardous waste can result in skin irritation, infections, and long-term health problems.

6. Environmental justice and health disparities

• Disparate exposures
  Low-income communities and communities of color often bear the brunt of pollution from factories, landfills, and other hazardous sites, leading to elevated rates of asthma, lead poisoning, obesity, and other health issues, according to the American Public Health Association.

• Cumulative health impacts
  Environmental health burdens combine with social stressors to create a complex web of factors that negatively impact the health of these communities. 

1. Climate change adaptation and mitigation

• Renewable Energy Solutions
  Shifting to renewable energy like solar and wind power is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Research aims to improve the efficiency and lifespan of these technologies, with significant interest in photovoltaic systems.

• Carbon Capture and Utilization
  Technologies are being developed to capture and convert industrial carbon dioxide emissions into valuable resources.

• Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
  Designing infrastructure resistant to climate change impacts, such as extreme weather and rising sea levels, is vital for protecting communities and health systems. This includes features like passive cooling and air filtration.

• Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments
  Projects are assessing the susceptibility of populations and regions to climate change health risks to identify resilience-building policies.

2. Pollution control technologies

• Advanced Emission Control Systems
  Innovations like JATCO’s BTEX Systems reduce the environmental impact of oil and gas operations by processing harmful compounds. Future efforts focus on capturing methane emissions.

• Plasma-Based Air Pollution Control
  High-energy plasmas break down pollutants from industrial emissions.

• Nanotechnology-Based Solutions
  Nanomaterials are being developed for highly efficient air and water filtration.

• Enhanced Monitoring
  Technologies like low-cost air quality sensors, remote sensing, satellite monitoring, and AI analysis allow for real-time tracking and identification of air pollutants.

3. Circular economy initiatives

• Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery
  The circular economy keeps materials and products in circulation to reduce waste and the need for new resources.

• Sustainable Materials Management
  Projects are exploring productive ways to use and reuse materials throughout their life cycles.

• Smart Waste Management
  Innovations like waste fill-level monitoring and smart bins improve efficiency in waste collection.

4. Sustainable agriculture practices

• Precision Farming with AI
  AI and machine learning optimize the use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides by analyzing data on soil, weather, and crop health.

• Drone and Remote Sensing Technology
  Drones with sensors monitor crop health and soil moisture, enabling timely intervention.

• Sustainable Land Use Practices
  Practices like agroforestry and cover crops improve soil health, conserve water, reduce erosion, sequester carbon, and promote biodiversity.

• Efficient Water Management
  Innovations in irrigation technologies like drip irrigation and smart systems focus on water conservation.

5. Other important areas

• Environmental Justice and Health Equity
  Efforts are underway to address environmental injustices and ensure healthy environments for all, including incorporating environmental justice into climate planning.

• One Health Approach
  This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health and promotes collaborative efforts to address shared environmental health threats like zoonotic diseases.

• Emerging Contaminants Research
  The National Emerging Contaminants Research Initiative (NECRI) focuses on identifying and treating contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in drinking water and other media.