Talking Points
About Environmental Health
- Environmental factors like air quality and extreme weather can impact a person’s health.
- People who do not have access to clean air and water, healthy workplaces and living spaces, and protection from extreme weather can experience negative health consequences as a result.
- Supporting environmental health is a critical part of public health. Health and environmental experts work alongside community leaders and government agencies to develop policies and programs that help reduce the effects of environmental factors that impact individual and community health.
Ways to Make Your Environment Healthier
- While you can’t always change the quality of your surrounding environment, there are steps you can take to protect yourself against pollution, chemicals, and dangerous conditions, including:
- Reducing chemicals in your home: When possible, choose non-toxic household cleaning products, such as soaps and all-purpose cleaners. You might also open a window or use a fan to increase air circulation and invite fresh air into your space.
- Checking your home for health hazards: Lead and radon are substances that can cause harmful health effects. Some health departments and local programs offer free testing kits to check for these substances in your home. You can also take steps to prevent mold growth, such as using vent fans in rooms with a lot of moisture like bathrooms. If you access your household water from a private well, you should occasionally test that water for possible contaminants. Most people get their household water from their community’s water system, and those systems are tested frequently by state and local health departments.
- Swimming safely: Pools, lakes, and oceans can sometimes be contaminated with bacteria and viruses. Avoid the potentially harmful effects of contamination by checking with your local health department for advisories and showering before and after swimming, covering open wounds with waterproof bandages, and avoiding water that looks murky or has an odor.
- Locating safe shelters in preparation for extreme weather: Locate your community’s extreme weather shelters and resource hubs in case you need to access them during extreme heat, cold, or wind.
- For additional resources about environmental health and keeping your environment safe, visit:
