Environmental health professional

Environmental health professionals are at the forefront of public health, as every aspect of environmental health is designed to improve the public’s health and wellbeing. 

The five main areas of environmental health are:

  • noise and environmental pollution
  • food safety and hygiene
  • workplace (occupational) health
  • housing standards 
  • public health

Environmental health professionals work to meet statutory regulations in these areas.

asbestos control

Environmental health professionals could be involved in one or more of the following:

  • working with other health professionals on programmes to improve health and wellbeing
  • protecting the public from environmental hazards
  • investigating complaints about neighbourhood noise and other nuisance
  • investigating contaminated land
  • inspecting food premises
  • investigating outbreaks of food-borne illness
  • taking samples
  • giving advice to individuals and communities on environmental health matters
  • assessing risk and advising employers and employees on occupational health risks
  • providing and giving evidence in court cases involving environmental issues
  • investigating workplace accidents
  • assessing risks to health from poor housing

Lorna Robinsons

Senior environmental health officer
Because our work is mainly reactive, people don’t always know about us until they have a problem - then they’re pleased we’re here.

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