What is environmental health?
I interviewed an environmental health specialist who has worked for ten years in the state health department . During the interview, I came to learn that environmental health is a science that deals with examining external factors (biological, physical, and chemical) that affect the health of the population. In a broader sense, the environmental health specialist I chose defined those external factors. The factors included the waste disposal system, air quality, food safety, radiation safety, water safety, and the pleasant built environment. It was interesting to note that the specialist mentioned the importance of defining environmental health as per WHO 1999. According to his definition, he termed environmental health as the aspects or elements of human health and the infirmity or disease. They are determined by factors that are present in the environment. He further delineated that it encompasses the process of assessing and regulating elements in the environment that affect human health
The environmental specialist also defined environmental health as per WHO 2016 that environmental health should address all the biological, physical, chemical, and all related factors and which are external to a person. In essence, he described that the external factors to a person are assessed, regulated, and controlled. The specialist stated that environmental health services are tasked with policy and legislative framework. The policy framework includes setting up parametric measures towards permitting the required amount of external factors affecting human health. In defining environmental, he indicated that environmental health is a broader branch of public health.
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What are some of branches or disciplines in environmental health?
To understand the environmental health specialist role fully, he reiterated to me the need to understand various disciplines of environmental health. According to his view, the specialist identified five core disciplines of environmental health. Environmental law, environmental engineering, exposure science, toxicology, and environmental epidemiology are disciplines he identified.
The specialist indicated that environmental health epidemiology is a study of exposure as a determinant of health and the relationship with disease causation. The practitioner indicated that environmental epidemiology as a field of examining and determining exposures to radiations, biological agents, and physical factors. After a thorough examination of exposure status, environmental epidemiologist comes up with intervention measures to control the route of exposures. The practitioner also identified the purpose of epidemiology in environmental health as that is necessary in carrying out clinical trials of an experimental drug. He indicated a case in point of the Ebola vaccine that was underway. He further noted that environmental health epidemiologist is essential personnel in mapping the vectors of human diseases. The practitioner indicated the importance of environmental health specialists in the control of Ebola viral hemorrhagic fever in West Africa. The role of environmental health epidemiologist included stating the routes of exposure and drawing clear exposure pathways.
The practitioner identified toxicology as another discipline in environmental health. As per his view, toxicology encompasses a scientific discipline that examines the effects of chemicals on any living organism. The practitioner further indicated that toxicology practice includes the treatment and diagnosis of individuals exposed to the toxins. He also noted that environmental health specialists are important personnel in mapping environmental pollutants. One example he indicated the practical case of the use of toxicology in environmental health was the examination of young children who were chronically exposed to lead. He gave me some of the skills necessary to carry out any toxicological survey. In one of the process, he indicated exposure assessment. In the assessment, he noted that environmental health toxicologist needs to identify the vulnerable population and also map out the possible source of exposure. The second step he highlighted in the survey was the need for carrying out risk characterization. In this case, the need for characterization is to identify the possibility and the adverse effects of the anticipated toxins. The last step of the toxicological survey, the practitioner, indicated, was risk communication. According to him, the level of risk that is identified must be communicated. The recipients are people who are exposed and to the ministry concerned.
Through the interview also, I identified environmental engineering as a branch of environmental health. According to the practitioner, environmental engineering encompasses the aspects of applying engineering principles to protect and maintain the health of the population. Due to adverse effects brought about by harsh environmental conditions, for example, structural dampness, there is a need for designing the building in a manner that reduces the humidity in the building. Some of the environmental designs he gave me were the legal requirement of approving and vetting building plans before any issuance of occupational certificates. He also gave me the legal obligation of installing, for example, air quality monitors in buildings with poor ventilation. He indicated the purpose of maintaining excellent ventilation and lighting conditions in the premises. One of the diseases he noted as a highly spread due to poor ventilation was Tuberculosis. He indicated the need for carrying out an indoor air quality survey before and during occupancy of the building.
What is the educational requirement of an environmental health specialist?
I learn that, for one to be reregistered to be an environmental health officer and before specializing, one is required to have undergone a four-year degree in Environmental health. After graduating from university, one is expected to be registered by a professional body after suffering a supervised one-year internship program. He indicated that one could become a specialist environmental health expert after completing course work and exams in the five facets of environmental health. The specialist then can go for private practice or an employee of any local state government or an NGO.
Who is an environmental health specialist?
The practitioner indicated that an environmental health specialist is a practitioner who has been licensed to practice in the disciplines of environmental health. As he outlined, the environmental health specialist is a specialist who can work as an environmental health and safety practitioner. They can also be food safety hygienists, environmental impact assessors, landfilling specialists, indoor air quality experts, among many more.
As an environmental health and safety inspector, the specialist stated that the practitioners assess and certify ongoing construction works or any projects. In the construction site, the specialist determines the possible hazards which are eminent in the workplace. Some of the hazards he indicated were falls, industrial dust, and heat stress, burn out the fire, gas leakages, and electric shocks. As an environmental health specialist, he indicated that one needs to come up with a plan to address the work-related hazards. In each hazard, there should be a detailed plan showing the procedures of addressing and mitigating those hazards. One practical example he indicated for me was the need for inducting all the employees on the possible hazards before they commence work. Also, he noted that workers need to be assessed on their physical fitness to work, for example, taking them for a medical check-up to determine exposure status. The industrial physician is the person responsible for recommending the workers if they are fit to commence the work.
He also stipulated that the environmental health specialist can be a food hygienist. As per his say, food hygienist carries out sanitary controls of food outlets, motels, restaurant, hotels, and food depots. The sanitary practice of controlling, inspecting, licensing, and prosecuting the offenders are some of the work the practitioner undertakes. He recognized the role of food safety has done with regards to controlling food poisoning and foodborne outbreaks.
What is the role of environmental health specialists?
The practitioner informed me that environmental health specialist performs a lot of work ranging from regulatory, enforcement, research, and education and inspection role. As an environmental health specialist in the state department of health, he indicated that regulatory role included ensuring that food operators conform to the sanitary standards as enshrined in the stipulated food Acts. The regulatory role, as he stipulated, included set up policy guidelines that the food industry must conform to. In contravention of the said food Acts, I learned that severe penalties are applied to the offenders. Some of the offenses he indicated included food seizure, or even the food plant might be shut down.
After the interview, I learned that environmental health specialists who are tasked with food inspection must have technical skills in collecting food samples. The food sampled must be tested for any bacteriological, physical, or chemical adulterations. I was also acquainted with the basic food sampling equipment that is needed for effective and efficient food sampling operations. Some of the equipment I came to learn after the interview included a flashlight, a probe thermometer, and food sampling test tubes.
I also came to learn that environmental health specialists perform prosecution role for public health offenders. Environment health prosecutors, for example, prosecuted an individual who indiscriminately discharges industrial effluents without treating the liquids. The practitioner also indicated that state departments have Acts and legislations empowering environmental health prosecutors to undertake their prosecution role without any disturbance. In the exercise of legal power bestowed to them in the said Health Acts, environmental health specialist have been able to prosecute a lot of cases. I also learned that the Tobacco Control Act are some of the legislation which is being enforced by an environmental health specialist
What is the career progression of an environmental health specialist?
I was also informed that environmental health specialists could advance their career both on-job training and also enrolling for post-graduate studies. One of the master's program I was informed and is available was Master of Public Health (MPH). Also, I came to learn that the specialist can advance their career while they are still working. One of the programs indicated was a food safety certificate. The certificate in food safety is good and effective for general practitioners to equip them with the required knowledge and skills in the food safety program.
