Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Pesticide use and pest control
Environmental health in the community
Environmental health is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments. It includes the aspects of human health that are determined by physical, chemical, biological and social factors in the environment. Environmental health also works to assess and control these factors.
The Department of Health and Human Services has an important role in protecting the health of Victorians from the potential health effects of environmental hazards. The department does this by:
raising awareness of environmental hazards in the community
providing technical guidance and advice
informing state and national policy.
Local government employs environmental health officers to work directly with communities on environmental health issues. The department works closely with local government to support the environmental health profession.
The Environment Protection Authority is now the Victorian Government contact point for people who have health concerns that are related to pollution and waste. Information on relevant government websites is in the process of being updated to reflect these changed areas of responsibility.
A quick reference page for environmental health professionals that includes all the information environmental health officers need for their day-to-day work.
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, also known as “PFAS”, are a group of chemicals that have been used since the 1950s in fire-fighting foams.
Commercial pest control operators (PCOs) are licensed and regulated by the department.
The Victorian Government has a role to play in protecting the community from the effects of climate change and weather events.
Lead is not required for human health and can be hazardous when taken into the body.
Community-wide environmental health hazards include mercury in fish, contaminated land and noise. Disease clusters can also be of concern.
There are several potential environmental health hazards in the home, including mercury, indoor air pollution, asbestos and carbon monoxide.
Victorian Government departments and agencies play an important role in understanding and protecting Victorians from the potential health impacts of exposure to hazards in the indoor or outdoor environment.