Environmental Health from Academia to Professional Life (20m Lecture)

In Portugal the creation of the degree in Environmental Health emerged from the need for the existence of more qualified professionals in this area in face of the developments that are taking place, particularly concerning the activities of identification, characterization and reduction of risk factors for health originated in the environment, the participation in environmental health and health education sessions in specific community groups and the development of measures for monitoring and health surveillance of systems, structures and activities with interaction with the environment. They are qualified health professionals, and they are integrated into multidisciplinary teams and in the specific context of the biophysical environment factors, practice the following functions: Public Health: Health surveillance of the water supply systems for human consumption of water for recreational use (pools, water

parks and bathing) and urban and industrial wastewater; Health surveillance of food establishments; Participation in inspections to verify the hygienic-sanitary structure conditions and functioning conditions of the food establishments; Food and utensils sampling for microbiological and chemical analysis; Licensing of public water use concerning the discharge of sewage from households, commercial and industrial establishments; Intervention in awareness raising/formation sessions on hygiene and food safety for food handlers to develop their professional skills. Environment: Health surveillance of release of contaminants into water, air and soil; Collaboration with local authorities and other entities in identifying and reducing risk factors, resulting from pollution of the environment, for health; Health surveillance of collecting, transport and disposal of solid waste systems; Carrying out awareness raising/environmental and health education sessions among the population; Integration of teams for prevention and control of infection associated with health care; Collaboration in implementing and maintaining Environmental Management Systems. Safety and Health at work: Coordinating and monitoring the activities of prevention and protection against occupational hazards; Collaboration in the implementation and maintenance of the Management System for Safety and Health at Work; Coordination of Construction Safety at Work.
In conclusion, they can develop activities within the area of public health, safety and hygiene at work and of environmental protection and may also intervene in the areas of research, management and education.