Environmental Health
Environmental health is about creating and maintaining environments which promote good public health and focusing on human health risks and hazards associated with natural and built environments.
There are many environmental health issues.
Anything in the environment that can pose a risk to public health and safety is potentially an environmental health issue. A key focus of NSW Health is to identify, anticipate and respond to these risks and hazards to ensure public health and safety, including:
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safe and adequate provision of drinking water
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safe recreational use of natural water bodies and swimming pools
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sewage and waste water management
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chemical hazards and contaminated sites
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regulating a number of industries that could affect public health and safety; funerals and disposal of bodies, skin penetration and tattooists, public swimming pools, and Legionnaires' disease control
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control of vector borne disease (pests)
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outdoor and indoor air quality, including air conditioning
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solid waste management
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urban development
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safe and healthy housing
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public health emergency and disaster management
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Aboriginal environmental health workforce development.
