miljøhygiene

Miljøhygiene, or environmental hygiene, is a field of public health focused on reducing disease and health risks by controlling environmental factors. It encompasses the assessment, regulation, and management of hazards in built and outdoor environments, including homes, workplaces, and communities. The aim is to minimize harmful exposures through prevention, surveillance, and policy interventions.

Core areas include air quality (indoor and outdoor), water quality and sanitation, waste management, housing conditions and ventilation, exposure to chemicals and pesticides, noise, and vector control. Occupational environmental hygiene addresses risks in the workplace, while integration with urban planning supports healthier environments for the population.

Practices involve hazard identification, exposure assessment, monitoring and surveillance, risk communication, and the implementation of controls such as source reduction, engineering improvements, administrative measures, and personal protective equipment. Public health authorities, environmental health officers, and researchers collaborate to set standards, inspect facilities, and respond to health threats. Education and community engagement are central components.

Miljøhygiene has historical roots in sanitation, clean water, and waste removal, and has evolved to include indoor air quality, climate-related health risks, and building design. It remains a multidisciplinary field intersecting epidemiology, environmental engineering, toxicology, and policy.