Career in Environmental Health

Why choose Environmental Health as a career path

The physical environment in which people live is an important determinant of health. At certain levels of exposure, contaminants in our air, water, food and soil can cause a variety of adverse health effects. Environmental health is a component of the public health system and is committed to protecting the health of the public and enhancing quality of life by assessing, correcting, controlling, and preventing those factors in the environment that can adversely affect human health. The prevention of injury, disease and death that may result from interactions of people with their environment is the goal of the environmental health program.

 

 

 

The responsibilities of Environmental Health Practitioners

• carry out measures for protecting public health, including administering and enforcing legislation related to environmental health and providing support to minimize health and safety hazards.
• are involved in a variety of activities, for examples:
  • inspecting food facilities;
  • investigating public health nuisances;
  • implementing disease control;
  • conducting work place safety assessments and
  • accident investigation.
• are focused on prevention, consultation, investigation, and education of the community regarding health risks and maintaining a safe environment.
• bring to the position an understanding of microbiology, risk assessment, environmental science and technology, food science, knowledge of the built environment as well as the skills and knowledge related to the tracking and control of communicable disease, investigation of environmental health related incidents and criminal investigations.

Career opportunities in both public and private sectors include: