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Is your environment healthy?
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Is your environment healthy?
The environment affects our health in both positive and negative ways. Pollution, chemicals, noise and pathogens can do us harm, while healthy environments for living, working and recreation do us good. The challenge for governments is to improve quality of life for citizens by limiting negative environmental effects on health.
In 2003 the Danish government launched its first strategy for environment and health, outlining goals and initiatives for the coming years and setting out a 10-point plan to limit negative environmental effects on public health. The strategy provides a common framework for strengthened cooperation between authorities involved in future efforts.
“Cleaner environment – healthier Danes”
The government’s action plan focuses on a prioritised set of environmental pollutants and their vectors e.g. air, food, water, and emphasises the importance of research as well as cross-sectoral and international cooperation in ensuring an effective effort.
1. Chemicals
Negative impacts on health from chemicals to be reduced and substitution of hazardous substances by less hazardous ones to be accelerated
2. Allergies
The incidence of allergy and respiratory disorders to be reduced
3. EDCs
Measures directed at endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to be intensified
4. Noise
Noise nuisances to be reduced
5. Air pollution
Negative impacts on health from air pollution and indoor climate to be reduced
6. Food
Food to be made safe and free from pollution
7. Water
Groundwater and drinking water to be protected
8. Research
Research into the significance of environmental factors on health to be enhanced
9. Local cooperation
Cooperation between the authorities to be strengthened
10. International cooperation
Increased attention to be accorded to environmental
factors and health in international cooperation
Progress on a wide front
In the period 2003-2005, efforts have been made across a wide front, including follow-up work on the EU regulation on evaluation and authorization of chemicals (REACH), development work on computer modelling of structure-activity relations of chemicals, noise mapping for large urban areas, roads, railways and airports, analysis of leaching of substances from plastic pipes, research into particulate emissions from diesel engines, and formulating quality thresholds for microorganisms in drinking water.
Future efforts
New elements that will form part of future efforts include a new chemical action plan and an analysis of the health challenges posed by nanoparticles. Environment and health are a target area under the government’s new plan of action for eco-efficient technology published in July 2007.
Related Case: Chemistry for teenagers
In spring 2003, the Danish Government published Denmark’s first strategy and action plan to protect the public’s health against environmental threats.
Case: Chemistry for teenagers
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