|
At a glance The issue Environmental health is about maintaining environments that promote healthy communities, and involves the protection of those aspects of human health determined or influenced by physical, chemical, biological and social factors in the environment (EnHealth 1999). Environmental health is jeopardised by various hazards. Such hazards may be associated with poverty, as well as by development without sufficient health and environmental safeguards, or based on the unsustainable consumption of natural resources. People's actions in the environment can result in environmental changes which may contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, psychological and neurological disorders, or the increased incidence of cancer, alongside the degradation of the natural systems on which human health depends. Additionally, the potential for diseases caused by poverty and overcrowding, such as tuberculosis, to re-emerge in Australia has grown as gaps between rich and poor widen (EnHealth 1999). Long-standing approaches to the environment as a limitless source and sink have the potential to impact on environmental health. Environmental health hazards (EnHealth 1999) may include:- water pollution from populated areas, industry and intensive agriculture;
- urban air pollution from transport and other sources;
- hazardous waste accumulation;
- chemical and radiation hazards resulting from the introduction of new technologies;
- deforestation and land degradation; and
- global climate change.
An example of the link made by people between environmental problems and health outcomes is evident in Tasmania's Healthy Communities survey, conducted in 1998 by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS 1998). When asked about a range of environmental issues, the majority of the 15,112 adults who responded to the survey expressed concern about environmental health issues including the following: the impact of pesticides (77.5% were moderately to greatly concerned); germs and bacteria in food and water (75% were moderately to greatly concerned); pesticides in drinking water (70% were moderately to greatly concerned); and the effects of air pollution on the health of their local community (69.8% were moderately to greatly concerned). Less concern was noted in relation to the location of industries near residential areas, with 31.5% of respondents showing no concern at all compared to 19% reporting a great deal of concern (DHHS 1998). This 'At a glance' section provides an overview of environmental health. More detailed information and references are contained in the Environmental Health Issue Report. Selected indicators used to assess various environmental health problems are provided within the Indicators section of this issue report. However, environmental health is an extensive area, which requires more detailed reporting than is possible in this SoE Report. More detailed information is available through the Department of Health and Human Services (Tasmania), and their State of Health Report (Public and Environmental Health Service 2003). Examples of possible sources of population exposure to environmental hazards discussed elsewhere in this SoE Report include the following. Related recommendations include Waste Management, Contaminated Sites, and Drinking Water Quality. Favourable news- The removal of lead petrol is likely to have reduced population exposure to lead in the air, although the decline has not been monitored. Other potential pathways of exposure to lead may still be significant (see 'Uncertain news').
- There has been a reduction in exposure to hazardous chemicals and wastes in the workplace. According to Workplace Safety Board of Tasmania, the decline 'in the number of workplace accidents is supported by the success of the Workplace safe campaign' (Workplace Safety Board of Tasmania 2001).
- The Public Health Amendment (Smoke-free Areas) Act 2001 makes it unlawful to smoke in most enclosed public places and workplaces in Tasmania with some limited exceptions. The Smoke Free Areas Review - Report was released for public comment in 2003. The report made a number of recommendations including that the current legislation be extended to require all bar and gaming areas to be smoke free to better protect workers and customers I those areas from exposure to the harmful effects of environmental smoke. The report also recommended that 50% of all outdoor dining areas be smoke free. The report followed a review of the Smoke Free Areas provision of the Public Health Act 1997.
- The DHHS reports (DHHS 1998) that the Tasmanian community appears to have adopted various healthy behaviours and these may result from campaigns and/or personal beliefs on health, although that is not explicit in the data and may have different effects in different districts of the State. Many community members are actively engaged in health advancement by avoiding activities that have the potential to negatively impact on their health (such as smoking), and undertaking activities to improve their health (such as exercise).
- Melanoma rates in Tasmania fell from 39.5 per 100,000 people in 1997 to 35.8 per 100,000 people in 1998 (Menzies Centre 2001). The fall in incidence rates may indicate that the population is becoming increasingly proactive in minimising exposure to direct sunlight. Tasmania's incidence rate for melanoma is also falling, compared to the rest of the world. A true indication of the impact of health promotion initiatives that discourage exposure to sunlight will be a comparison of current rates to rates in future years. Early exposure to excessive amounts of sunlight must be avoided to minimise the risk of developing melanoma later in life.
- The National Residue Survey (NRS) is a program conducted by the Residues & Standards Branch in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia (AFFA). The function of the NRS is to monitor chemical residues in food and fibre produced in Australia in the products of participating industries such as crops, meat and grains. The 2001-02 report provides the results of the NRS monitoring surveys, for which 24,100 samples were collected between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2002. The NRS results show that Australian produce is of a high quality with respect to residues and contaminants. The results of 322,274 analyses on the 24,100 samples conducted during the reporting period indicate only 61 analyses detected residues above Australian Standards. These consisted of 47 residues of agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals and 14 of metals (AFFA 2002). During this period, no chemical residues above the Australian Standards were found in any samples of Tasmanian produce collected as part of the NRS programs, including 243 samples collected for the meat monitoring project.
- Asbestos was often used as lagging for pipes and boilers and for fire retardant properties in large buildings. Its use for these purposes is now essentially prohibited and much of the asbestos in buildings has now been removed. Licensed asbestos contractors must be engaged when major demolitions of buildings containing asbestos are undertaken. Workcover Tasmania regulates asbestos in workplaces, and provides publicly available information. There is also a requirement of all government occupied buildings to produce an asbestos register. These registers are common in most major buildings and most institutional property owners. Asbestos registers are important in identifying the presence and type of asbestos (e.g. stable, unstable, and sealed).
Unfavourable news- While the phasing out of lead petrol is likely to have reduced the amount of lead in the air in Tasmania, lead exposure is still a risk to young people. Renovation in older homes will continue to be a risk for young children because of the lead dust generated in renovation activities, or the lead dust that already exists in the roof space of old houses. Buildings constructed before 1970 often contain lead-based paints. Before 1950 the lead content of paints was particularly high. Lead paint dust or fumes can be inhaled or swallowed and then absorbed.
- Involuntary exposure to cigarette smoke still occurs in some public venues. Research conducted in 1997 by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) on passive smoking found that involuntary exposure to cigarette smoke increased the incidence of asthma in children, lower respiratory illnesses, lung cancer and major coronary events, as well as a range of other illnesses.
Uncertain news- There is uncertainty associated with the release of substances into the environment and exposure to these substances by the population. Monitoring data may not be available or be capable of detecting contamination of the environment and 'pathways' by which people may be exposed to these substances. There are also particular difficulties in establishing statistically reliable links between exposure to pollutants and health risks in a comparatively small population size such as Tasmania. The National Pollutant Inventory, however, provides useful information on sources of pollution and the potential health implications of exposure.
|
