Transcript WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH?

Environmental Health
Services
By Nandipha
Sithebe
WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH?
Environmental health is the field of science
that studies how the environment influence
human health and disease. Environment
means things in the natural environment like
air, water and soil. Our concerns are the
impacts of the environment on human
health.
MUNICIPAL FUNCTIONS
• Food Safety- Inspections, food sampling
& Enforcement
• Waste Management –Matters concerning dumping
/proper disposal of waste.
• Pollution control – Air, Water, Land, Noise
• Health Surveillance – Identification of poor ventilation,
lighting, structural and sanitation facilities in buildings.
MUNICIPAL FUNCTIONS
• Vector control –Inspections/ monitoring/
treatment of rats, mosquitoes
and flies.
• Water Quality – Sampling and analysing of
drinking water , springs, rivers, streams
• Noise pollution – Investigating noise nuisances.
MUNICIPAL FUNCTIONS
• Communicable disease – investigations and follow
ups on all cases of infectious diseases eg. Ebola, TB,
malaria, cholera
• Chemical safety –Inspections –storage and safe use of
chemicals that are harmful to human health
• Disposal of the Dead - Monitoring of funeral
undertakers and mortuaries.
Environmental Health Services in
terms of Informal Traders
Our main focus:• Food traders
• Hair dressers
• Street mechanics
• Vendors dealing with cosmetic, for example
skin lighters containing hydroquinone
FOOD TRADERS
• Conduct inspections for compliance with
Food regulations & Hygiene.
• Sampling of foodstuffs and analysis in our
laboratory for contamination.
• Health education on the 5 keys to safer foods
FOOD TRADERS
• In 2014 a workshop was conducted to train
food handlers, 110 attended and were issued
with certificates
• Comment on business licenses for hawkers
HAIR DRESSERS
• Inspections to ensure compliance of By-laws.
• Education on the disposal of hair, disinfecting
of equipment and general hygiene.
• Presently conducting training workshops, 120
participants attended.
GENERAL
We conduct inspections and render health education:
-Disposal of waste/ dumping
-Discharge of waste water
-Noise from loud music and advertising
-Burning of fires and smoke nuisances
-Prevention of diseases
-Health, Hygiene and cleanliness
Conclusion
The Environmental health unit strives to render
an effective, efficient and accessible service to
our communities including informal traders,
and contribute towards development of our
economy.
THANK YOU