Environmental health is the branch of public health that is concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health. Other terms that concern or refer to the discipline of environmental health include environmental public health and environmental health and protection.
Environmental health is defined by the World Health Organization as:
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 wellbeing of the broad physical, psychological, social and cultural environment, which includes housing, urban development, land use and transport.[1]
Extracted from www.wikipedia.org.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
– Charged under U.S. CERCLA statute to assess the presence and nature of health hazards at Superfund sites and to help reduce further exposures. Website has toxicity profiles for hazardous chemicals and extensive information on topics such as multiple chemical exposures and PCBs.
Direct link: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Ban CCA.org
– Online reference for concerned consumers and end users of Copper Chromated Arsenate (CCA) pressure treated wood. Provides health hazard information and links on the health hazards of CCA, arsenic and chromium exposure.
Direct link: Ban CCA.org
CDC’s Second National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Second National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. Ongoing assessment of the exposure of the U.S. population to environmental chemicals using biomonitoring.
Direct link: CDC’s Second National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals
Chem-Tox.Com
– Index provides links to research about health disorders resulting from exposure to common chemicals and pesticides.
Direct link: Chem-Tox.Com
DAIN Metadatabase of Resources for Environmental Chemicals
– A database of separate databases. Search by type of database, use of chemicals, type of information and/or descriptors.
Direct link: DAIN Metadatabase of Resources for Environmental Chemicals
EDF Chemical Scorecard
– Toxic Release Inventory data for the US. Sources and amounts of toxic chemicals released to air and water. Also has information on health effects and other topics.
Direct link: EDF Chemical Scorecard
Environmental Working Group – Body Burden
– Reports results from the most comprehensive study ever conducted of multiple chemical contaminants in humans.
Direct link: Environmental Working Group – Body Burden
Global Campaign to Reduce the Use of Toxic Chemicals
– Information from the WWF on toxic chemicals in the environment. Focus on endocrine disruptors, persistent organic pesticides (POPs) and agricultural pesticides.
Direct link: Global Campaign to Reduce the Use of Toxic Chemicals
Human and Environmental Risk Assessment
– The HERA project is a European voluntary initiative launched by the suppliers and manufacturers, AISE and CEFIC, of household cleaning products to provide a common risk assessment framework. Provides news, risk assessment results and resources.
Direct link: Human and Environmental Risk Assessment
International Programme on Chemical Safety INCHEM Database
– Provides information on chemicals affecting the environment and human health from internationally peer-reviewed chemical safety-related publications and databases.
Direct link: International Programme on Chemical Safety INCHEM Database
National Library of Medicine (NLM)
– Information and index on toxicology, environmental health, HIV, and AIDS. Search toxicology and chemical information databases from Specialized Information Services (SIS).
Direct link: National Library of Medicine (NLM)
PCBs: Farmed Salmon vs. Wild Salmon – Is Farmed Salmon safe to eat?
– Discusses various reports on safety and guidelines by various health agencies.
Direct link: Farmed Salmon vs. Wild Salmon
The Vermiculite Institute
– Organized by vermiculite mining companies, processors, and users to promote the many uses of vermiculite and to address concerns about the health and safety of using vermiculite.
Direct link: The Vermiculite Institute
Uranium – The Deadliest Metal
– A detailed paper on uranium, its radioactive products, mining, and radiation risks to people issued by the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility (1992). The health risks even at the low radon levels in homes.
Radon Month
– Press release from the United States Environmental Protection Agency introducing National Radon Action Month.
(December 09, 2008)
Center for Environmental Research and Technology
– Provides certification and continuing education classes that meet National Radon Proficiency Program. Located in Colorado Springs, CO.
Direct link: Center for Environmental Research and Technology
EPA Publications on Indoor Radon
– Complete publications list, descriptions and links. Informative EPA Guides for citizens, consumers, home buyers and sellers, physicians, and tenants. Radon prevention in construction, schools. Measurement protocols. Links to regional Radon Offices.
Direct link: EPA Publications on Indoor Radon
Eastern Regional Radon Training Center
– Provides training in the health risks posed by radon gas and the methods of radon measurement and mitigation in residential, institutional, and commercial environments.
Direct link: Eastern Regional Radon Training Center
Gemmill Laboratories
– Pennsylvania company providing radon certification training, radon measurement and mitigation courses and radon instrument calibration courses. Also offers granite radiation testing services.
Direct link: Gemmill Laboratories
How Stuff Works: Radon
– Informative article about how radon forms and why it is so dangerous. Comparison of radon test devices. Useful links.
Direct link: How Stuff Works: Radon
Indoor Air – Radon
– US EPA information resources and links about this gas, its health effects, and its control.
Direct link: Indoor Air – Radon