Environmental Health
Environmental health is the interaction between the environment and the health of populations of people. While environmental health is distinct from environmental protection, there are overlaps in many areas. Environmental health has been defined as "those aspects of human health determined by physical, biological, and social factors in the environment."
Environmental health includes the provision of safe drinking water supplies, recreational use of water, on-site sewage management, wastewater and recycling, public swimming pools, human health risk assessments and toxicology, Legionella control, skin penetration industry, funeral industry, pest and arbovirus control, air quality, waste management, tobacco control and smoke-free environments, basic hygiene and sanitation. We have a shared role with local councils and other government agencies such as the NSW Environment Protection Authority.
Another emerging area of environmental health is provision of advice to local councils and other government agencies relating to healthy urban development.
For further information and fact sheets on environmental health see NSW Ministry of Health -Environmental Health homepage: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/pages/default.aspx
Legislation administered
- NSW Public Health Act 2010
- NSW Public Health Regulation 2012
- NSW Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008
- NSW Public Health (Tobacco) Regulation 2009
- NSW Smoke-free Environment Act 2000
- NSW Smoke-free Environment Regulation 2007
- NSW Anatomy Act 1977
Available via: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/
For information and fact sheets on environmental health please visit the NSW Ministry of Health - Environmental Health homepage http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/pages/default.aspx
Coal Seam Gas and Health in the Camden Gas Project Area
Following the health concerns expressed by community members about coal seam gas in the Camden Gas Project Area, the Public Health Unit organised a Forum in May 2015 with invited representatives from Health, various NSW government agencies, the three local Councils (Camden, Campbelltown and Wollondilly), Industry (AGL) and members from the community.
One of the actions that followed from the Forum was to produce a fact sheet about health and coal seam gas. The objective was to answer frequently asked questions about the coal seam gas and health in in the Camden Gas Project Area particularly for new or potential residents moving near to well pads or other gas infrastructure.
The Public Health Unit consulted with agencies and local government in developing the fact sheet.
Link to download the fact sheet:
Coal Seam Gas and Health in the Camden Gas Project Area
If you have any further queries please contact the Public Health Unit on telephone 8778-0855 during business hours.
