Environmental Health

 What is Environmental Health? 

Environmental health comprises of those aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social and psychosocial factors in the environment. 

It also refers to the theory and practice of accessing, correcting, control- ling and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations.

Environmental Health science is very broad and covers a multitude of disciplines, both within and outside the health services. In the European context one is more likely to see reference to additional topics such as occupational health and safety, transport management, noise control and environmental impact assessment, but in relation to the tropics the main areas to cover are the following:

1)Water Supply

2)Excreta Disposal

3)Waste Management

4)Vector Control; Shelter/Housing and Planning

5)Hygiene Education

6)Food Safety/Hygiene

7)Protection From Radiation

8)Air Quality/Control of Pollution.

9)Noise

10)Climate change

WATER SUPPLY

Water is not only an environment but an essential requirement for life. Water is a basic human and essential need. It has many uses including the irrigation of crops, the generation of electricity and for transport such as canals

Uses of water in the domestic setting include:

Domestic

 Drinking

 Cooking

 Cleaning utensils 

 Washing

 Bathing

 Flushing of latrines

 Laundering

Public

 Street washing, flushing of sewers,

 watering of public parks and gardens, building construction and fire fighting

 Industrial and commercial use

 Animal use

Generally speaking, a minimum of 20–40 liters per person per day is needed for drinking, personal hygiene and cleaning.

Quality

The water should be free from chemical and biological contamination plus be acceptable in terms of color, taste and smell, in accordance with the WHO Guidelines on the Quality of Drinking Water (1993).

SOURCES OF FRESH WATER

 Surface water, e.g. streams, rivers, lakes and ponds. 

 Ground water, e.g. wells and springs.

 Rainwater, as harvested off buildings.

Good water supply saves lives 

This questionnaire is designed for environmental survey of SHAO Community: Kindly tick and answer the questions appropriately. Note that all the information obtained from you shall be treated with utmost confidentiality and strictly for the purpose of the project which is to build a good and conducive environment for the community and nation at large.

Thank you for your cooperation.

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