Protecting environmental quality and human health: strategies for harmonisation

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 256; no. 2; pp. 205 - 213
• Main Authors: Green, E, Short, S.D, Stutt, E, Harrison, P.T.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier B.V 10.07.2000; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environment. Living conditions; Environmental Pollution - prevention & control; Environmental protection; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Global environmental pollution; Harmonisation; Human health; Humans; Interprofessional Relations; Medical sciences; Policy Making; Pollution; Public Health; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Public Policy; Risk Assessment; Risk management; Safety Management; Seminar; Seminar; Human health; Harmonisation; Risk management; Risk assessment; Environmental protection; Decision making; Political aspect; Pollution prevention; Risk analysis; Sustainable development; Environmental management; Integrated management; Quality of life; Health and environment; Economic aspect; Social aspect; Public health
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/S0048-9697(00)00493-9

In September 1999 the MRC Institute for Environment and Health hosted a multidisciplinary seminar on the harmonisation of strategies to protect environmental quality and human health. The objectives of the meeting were to share information about ways in which the protection of the environment and human health can be harmonised, and, by bringing together an audience representing a range of disciplines, interests and sectors, to explore how these may be integrated to inform policy, decision-making and the management of risks. Key conclusions from the seminar focused on the importance of sustainable development, harmonising risk assessment and the role of stakeholder involvement. The necessary move from an expert-based to a dialogue-based process will require concerted efforts on the part of scientists, policy-makers, regulators, industry and the public.