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Conclusion
A high-quality environment provides the foundation
for healthy living.
As evidenced in this report, Ireland’s environment is
generally good, and it can be concluded that, on the
whole, Ireland does present a clean, safe environment
to live in. The availability of green spaces (parks, woods,
countryside) and blue spaces (ponds, riverbanks, lake
shores and seashores), along with clean, fresh air and
breathtaking landscapes, provides an enviable resource
which should be valued and enjoyed.
In common with countries across Europe, key high-level
environment and health issues include climate change,
antimicrobial resistance and chemical pollution. In addition
there are a number of national issues that require action,
such as health impacts associated with localised air pollution
and drinking water contamination. Many government
bodies are actively working to address these issues and,
while much has been achieved, there is clearly still work to
be done. Some of the key challenges facing Ireland from an
environment, health and wellbeing point of view are:
n
on-site waste water treatment systems (such as septic
tanks) and urban waste water discharges impacting on
water quality and amenities
n
urban air quality in cities and towns
n
nuisance and amenity impact from noise and odour
n
radon in homes.
In addition, from an emerging risks perspective, we need
to be vigilant in relation to:
n
climate change-induced health risks
n
antimicrobial resistance
n
new chemicals and substances.
While some existing and emerging challenges exist, on the
whole Ireland’s environment provides an excellent basis for
maintaining and improving our health and wellbeing. To
capitalise on this, we must foster a new awareness of the
Environment and Health Research
Environment and health is recognised as a fundamental
and cross-cutting topic in the national environmental
research programme that is managed by the EPA.
The aims of the research are (1) to develop national
capacity in key areas; (2) to generate data and make
assessments of priority issues for Ireland; and (3) to
mobilise this knowledge for use in environment and
health protection. Overall, the desired outcomes are
to identify, characterise and manage threats from the
environment to health and wellbeing, and also to
recognise opportunities to use the environment to foster
improvements in our health and wellbeing.
Since 2007, the EPA has funded over 50 research projects
on environment and health issues representing a total
commitment of approximately €10 million. Through this
research programme, the EPA addresses a broad range
of environmental health issues including those that lie
beyond its regulatory remit such as indoor air quality.
Recently, the EPA established a number of projects with
a focus on health and wellbeing which are being co-
funded with the Health Service Executive; these include
Ecosystem Benefits of Greenspace for Health, and Nature
and Environment to Attain and Restore Health.
The key research areas include:
n
ecosystem benefits for health
n
safe water for drinking, food production and
recreation
n
clean air and noise
n
chemicals and other threats.
Key Achievements
n
Researchers have developed new research capability
and have provided timely knowledge and assistance
to local and health authorities in dealing with
significant health scares and outbreaks.
n
Researchers have developed baseline information
on emerging issues such as antimicrobial resistance,
nanoparticles, and endocrine disruptors. This
knowledge has been used by operators, regulators
and policymakers in support of policy formation and
implementation.
n
An HSE-led research project concluded that no
adverse health impacts were experienced following
the operation of an incinerator at an EPA-licensed
industrial facility.
Priority Areas
n
Understanding environment–health interactions,
including risks from emerging chemicals and novel
materials (e.g. microplastics, nanomaterials), while
highlighting the benefits to human health of a clean
and well-managed environment.
n
GIS-delivered solutions to understanding integrated
impacts of various environmental threats. For
example, overlaying maps for air pollution,
traffic density, radon exposure, meteorology with
pulmonary morbidity.