London environmental health services

Environmental health services, based in the London Boroughs, have protected the environment and the health of Londoners, since the early nineteenth century1 2. The relationship between the environment and human health has long been recognised. Unpolluted air, water and land; together with safe housing, food and working conditions, are basic requirements for human health and well-being. The promotion of these public health pre-requisites, is at the heart of all environmental health services.

The service within London local authorities is often built around a number of professions working together to protect public health in areas as diverse as:

• air quality;
• animal welfare;
• communicable diseases;
• consumer protection;
• food safety;
• housing;
• nuisances - including noise;
• pest control;
• pollution; and
• workplace health and safety.

Environmental Health Practitioners are an essential resource of advice and education for both those who make legislation and those who have to comply with it. We support London by:

• supporting, advising and regulating over 1,000 industrial polluting premises, 60,000 food premises and 160,000 workplaces; to meet food safety and health and safety standards;
• licensing the sale of alcohol, sports stadia, entertainment premises, mini-cabs, door supervisors, special treatments and pet shops;
• preventing accidents in homes and workplaces;
• supporting positive health strategies;
• dealing with noise and nuisance problems arising from neighbourhood parties, open air concerts and complex industrial processes;
• ensuring that peoples homes are fit to live in; and
• providing services and assistance to all those who need it, on an equal opportunities basis.

1. 1. John Snow.
2. 2. Edwin Chadwick.