environmental health
Surroundings affecting wellbeing
Environmental health is the branch of public health concerned with how surroundings affect human wellbeing—air and water quality, food safety, toxic exposures, disease vectors, sanitation.
The field addresses both natural hazards and human-made ones: The environmental health department tested homes for lead paint.
Professionals work to identify, prevent, and control environmental factors that could cause illness or injury.
Study of disease spread
- toxicologyScience of poisons
- biostatisticsStatistical methods for medicine
- exposure assessmentEvaluating contamination intake levels
- risk analysisEvaluating likelihood of harm
Liquid refuse in drains
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
- toiletsWaste disposal fixtures
- latrinesCommunal pit toilets
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
waste disposal · garbage collection · handwashing · chlorination · septic systems · drainage · effluent · greywater
Capacity to cause harm
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- contaminantsUnwelcome substances in something pure
- carcinogensSubstances promoting tumor growth
- pesticidesChemicals destroying harmful organisms
heavy metals · asbestos · lead poisoning · air quality · industrial waste · chemical spills · radiation · biohazards
Uncontaminated hydration source
- clean airUncontaminated breathable gas
- green spacesOutdoor vegetated public areas
- nutritionBodily use of food
- disease preventionMeasures blocking illness onset
safe housing · food safety · allergen-free · walkability · urban greening · noise reduction · indoor air quality · drinking water safety
Self-replenishing natural power
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- recyclingReprocessing used materials
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
- biodegradableAble to decompose naturally
eco-friendly · solar power · wind energy · green building · energy efficiency · carbon-neutral · zero-waste · permaculture
Enforced rules and standards
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
- zoningSectioning areas by use
emissions control · climate policy · carbon footprint · EPA · precautionary principle · Superfund
epidemiology
Study of disease spread
- toxicologyScience of poisons
- biostatisticsStatistical methods for medicine
- exposure assessmentEvaluating contamination intake levels
risk analysis · dose-response · outbreak investigation · biomarkers
sewage
Liquid refuse in drains
disinfection · waste disposal · garbage collection · handwashing · chlorination · septic systems · drainage · effluent · greywater · blackwater
toxicity
Capacity to cause harm
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- contaminantsUnwelcome substances in something pure
- carcinogensSubstances promoting tumor growth
pesticides · heavy metals · asbestos · lead poisoning · air quality · industrial waste · chemical spills · radiation · biohazards · particulates
clean water
Uncontaminated hydration source
- clean airUncontaminated breathable gas
- green spacesOutdoor vegetated public areas
- nutritionBodily use of food
disease prevention · safe housing · food safety · allergen-free · walkability · urban greening · noise reduction · indoor air quality · drinking water safety
renewable energy
Self-replenishing natural power
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- recyclingReprocessing used materials
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
biodegradable · eco-friendly · solar power · wind energy · green building · energy efficiency · carbon-neutral · zero-waste · permaculture · organic farming
regulations
Enforced rules and standards
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
zoning · emissions control · climate policy · carbon footprint · EPA · precautionary principle · Superfund
- public healthdisease prevention, immunization, disease control, epidemiology, vaccination programs
- safetysafety helmet, hazard, airbag, alert, occupational safety
- council serviceswaste collection, rubbish collection, recycling, street cleaning, housing
- Health Activismpatient rights, advocacy group, grassroots campaigns, grassroots campaign, lobbying
- health lawsObamacare, quarantine laws, medical licensing, vaccine mandates, tobacco laws
- health standardshygiene standards, sanitation standards, patient safety, infection control, immunization schedules
environmental healthenvironmental degradation
Decline of natural surroundings
pollution · environmental hazards · environmental harm · environmental pollution · industrial pollution
environmental healthclinical medicine
Hands-on healthcare practice
clinical treatment · hospital care · acute care · patient care · surgical intervention
environmental healthecocide
Deliberate devastation of nature
habitat destruction · biodiversity loss · ecological degradation · deforestation · desertification
health, healthy, unhealthy, environment, healthful, environmental, healthcare, healthily, environments