Environmental Health
Environmental Health Officers investigate a wide range of environmental issues which may affect the health of the population. They also provide information and advice on a variety of issues including the sale of tobacco to minors, the disposal of hazardous chemicals and materials, lead poisoning and water and air quality. Environmental Impact Statements are also reviewed for possible impacts on health.
Officers from the Public Health Unit spend much of their time investigating complaints from members of the community. They are responsible for enforcing parts of the Public Health Act 1991, the Public Health Regulation 1991 and the NSW Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 and play a role in the regulation of the sale of tobacco to minors and advertising in premises that sell tobacco.
An Environmental Health Officer may also liaise and collaborate with local and government authorities, such as local councils, Sydney Water, the Roads and Traffic Authority, the Department of Environment and Climate Change (formerly Environmental Protection Agency), WorkCover NSW and various private sector corporations.
Activities routinely undertaken by environmental health officers include:
- Smoke-free Environment Act 2000, sale of tobacco to minors, tobacco advertising
- Air conditioning and ventilation systems
- Legionella in air conditioning cooling towers
- Swimming pools and spas - water quality
- Drinking water supplies (private and public)
- Enforcement of the skin penetration guidelines
- Infection control issues
- Hazardous waste - including asbestos, lead, clinical waste
- Sewage treatment and disposal
- Disaster management
- Environmental Impact Statements
- Air quality
- Funeral Industry matters - Medical Referees, handling and disposal of human remains, cremations and the transportation of human remains overseas
Some useful environmental health links
Below are links to agencies and other organisations that contain useful information.
- Environmental Health Branch, NSW Health
- Department of Environment and Climate Change (formerly the Environment Protection Agency)
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)
Disclaimer: The links above are to agencies and other organisations that contain useful information. These links do not imply any endorsement, support or commercial gain by South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service or NSW Health Services or the State of New South Wales. See our Disclaimer for more information.