Environmental health Environmental health is a branch of public health concerned with all aspects of the natural and built

environment that may affect human health. Other phrases that concern or refer to the discipline of environmental health include environmental public health and environmental health and protection. The field of environmental health differs from environmental science in that environmental health is concerned with environmental factors affecting human health whereas environmental science is concerned with the environment as it affects ecosystems. "Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviours. It encompasses the assessment and control of those environmental factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments. This definition excludes behaviour not related to environment, as well as behaviour related to the social and cultural environment, and genetics."[1]: Environmental health is defined by the World Health Organization as[2]: Those aspects of the human health and disease that are determined by factors in the environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing and controlling factors in the environment that can potentially affect health. Environmental health as used by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, includes both the direct pathological effects of chemicals, radiation and some biological agents, and the effects (often indirect) on health and well being of the broad physical, psychological, social and cultural environment, which includes housing, urban development, land use and transport. Environmental health services are defined by the World Health Organization as: those services which implement environmental health policies through monitoring and control activities. They also carry out that role by promoting the

improvement of environmental parameters and by encouraging the use of environmentally friendly and healthy technologies and behaviors. They also have a leading role in developing and suggesting new policy areas. Environmental medicine may be seen as the medical branch of the broader field of environmental health. Terminology is not fully established, and in many European countries they are used interchangeably. Concerns Environmental health addresses all human-health-related aspects of both the natural environment and the built environment. Environmental health concerns include: Air quality, including both ambient outdoor air and indoor air quality, which also comprises concerns about environmental tobacco smoke. Body art safety, including tattooing, body piercing and permanent cosmetics. Climate change and its effects on health. Disaster preparedness and response. Food safety, including in agriculture, transportation, food processing, wholesale and retail distribution and sale. Hazardous materials management, including hazardous waste management, contaminated site remediation, the prevention of leaks from underground storage tanks and the prevention of hazardous materials releases to the environment and responses to emergency situations resulting from such releases. Housing, including substandard housing abatement and the inspection of jails and prisons. Childhood lead poisoning prevention. Land use planning, including smart growth

Environmental protection Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the natural environment on individual, organizational or governmental levels, for the benefit of the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and technology, the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently. This has been recognized, and governments have begun placing restraints on activities that cause environmental degradation. Since the 1960s, activity of environmental movements has created awareness of the various environmental issues. There is no agreement on the extent of the environmental impact of human activity, and protection measures are occasionally criticized. Academic institutions now offer courses, such as environmental studies, environmental management and environmental engineering, that teach the history and methods of environment protection. Protection of the environment is needed due to various human activities. Waste production, air pollution, and loss of biodiversity (resulting from the introduction of invasive species and species extinction) are some of the issues related to environmental protection. Environmental protection is influenced by three interwoven factors: environmental legislation, ethics and education. Each of these factors plays its part in influencing national-level environmental decisions and personal-level environmental values and behaviors. For environmental protection to become a reality, it is important for societies to develop each of these areas that, together, will inform and drive environmental decisions.

Approaches to environmental protection

Voluntary environmental agreements In industrialized countries, voluntary environmental agreements often provide a platform for companies to be recognized for moving beyond the minimum

regulatory standards and, thus, support the development of best environmental practice Ecosystems approach An ecosystems approach to resource management and environmental protection aims to consider the complex interrelationships of an entire ecosystem in decision making rather than simply responding to specific issues and challenges International environmental agreements Many of the earths resources are especially vulnerable because they are influenced by human impacts across many countries. As a result of this, many attempts are made by countries to develop agreements that are signed by multiple governments to prevent damage or manage the impacts of human activity on natural resources. This can include agreements that impact factors such as climate, oceans, rivers and air pollution. Government Discussion concerning environmental protection often focuses on the role of government, legislation and law enforcement. However, in its broadest sense, environmental protection may be seen to be the responsibility of all people and not simply that of government. Decisions that impact the environment will ideally involve a broad range of stakeholders, including industry, indigenous groups, environmental group and community representatives. Gradually, environmental decision-making processes are evolving to reflect this broad base of stakeholders and are becoming more collaborative in many countries THE ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT, 1986 An Act to provide for the protection and improvement of environment and for matters connected there with: WHEREAS the decisions were taken at the United NationsConference on the Human Environment held at Stockholm in June, 1972, in which India participated, to take appropriate steps for the protection and improvement of human environment;

AND WHEREAS it is considered necessary further to implement the decisions aforesaid in so far as they relate to the protection and improvement of environment and the prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants and property; range of measures has been taken to protect and enhance environmental quality, including: the building-up of a strong and effective Environmental Protection Agency, the putting in place of a modern legislative framework for environmental protection, record investment in water services to meet development needs,tackle water quality problems, and upgrade rural water supplies, implementing water catchment management strategies and other measures to protect and improve water quality in rivers and lakes, the establishment of clear policy direction for waste management in Changing Our Ways (1998) and Preventing and Recycling Waste:Delivering Change (2002), the banning of leaded petrol and reduction of sulphur in diesel,extension of the ban on bituminous coal to 11 further areas with 4 more in prospect in 2003 and substantial increases in investment in public transport, publication of revised Guidelines on Local Agenda 21 in 2001 to help give new impetus towards local sustainable development, inclusion in the Planning and Development Act 2000 of sustainable development as a yardstick against which development proposals are to be evaluated, the establishment and operation of Comhar to advance sustainable development on the basis of dialogue and partnership, implementation of a major campaign to promote greater public awareness of environmental issues

 the establishment of extensive conservation areas for biodiversity, the adoption of a National Biodiversity Plan in 2002