The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a research theme in the area of Environment and Health to provide knowledge to assist in the development and implementation of effective policy actions to reduce environmental impacts on human health. Research support also aims to build capacity in the area and build on previously conducted research.
A key objective is to complement the initiatives and activities arising from the Environment and Health Action Plan (such as the Environmental Health Information System (ENHIS) project) and research ongoing in this area through other national and international funding sources e.g. EU Framework or the Health Research Board (IE).
The EPA plays a health protection role by licensing large-scale / complex industrial activities and all waste activities to prevent or reduce emissions to air, water and land. These licences are actively enforced to ensure that those who flout environmental law and cause environmental pollution as a result of their actions are held to account.
Human health protection is a fundamental aspect of environmental protection. The level of environmental public health protection in Ireland is widely regarded as being high although some issues continue to cause concern for example, considerable investment has been made in improving drinking water quality but high microbiological levels are found in many of the smaller private rural water schemes. With regard to air quality, following the success of legislation in dealing with the problems associated with emissions from coal burning in major cities, a primary cause of outdoor air pollution is now motor vehicle emissions. Overall, increased development and prosperity brings intensified impacts on the environment (including water quality, air quality, noise, encroachment of urban areas into the countryside etc.) which in turn can impact on human health.
Download the list of EPA-funded projects on Environment & Health:
View the website of our projects:
Research Reports & Datasets
