EH Practioner and the 21st Century

Perception of the current state of environmental health practice is that of a specialist which is focused only on regulation and enforcement and not participating in development of a more holistic sustainable “green” approach to environmental issues for the twenty first century. Much of the this perception is due to the fact that a major focus of those who practice and that of the general public appears to be on the awareness of current environmental problems and not promoting sustainable solutions.  As examples, a brief review of basic environmental health practice in the areas of pollution control, water resources, and food protection clearly demonstrates that environmental health practice has always incorporated sustainability as the correct way to deal with modern environmental problems. Pollution control whether it is concerned with air, soil, water, or food has been viewed with a cradle to grave approach of pollutants emitted from obtaining source material, to the process of developing the product, the product use itself, and to the final disposal of that product.

Pollution control has emphasized protecting human health, allowed for “best available technology,” considers cost of controls, and not generating the pollutants whenever possible. Water resources utilization and availability for residence, industry, and agriculture have had major sustainable efforts applied by environmental health practitioners regarding water conservation techniques, waste water reclamation, and implementing social solutions to water scarcity. To address evolving threats and concerns with food sources and food-borne illness, emphasis on risk-based inspections to prevent problems before they start, to ensure preventive measures are effective, and provide a rapid response when contaminated food or feed are detected.