Environmental health affects our personal health, Island’s economy
Environmental health professionals across the province protect Islanders from disease and injury every day.
The national Environmental Public Health Week (September 25 to 29) recognizes all environmental health officers across Canada who work to ensure everything from the safety of food to the quality of the air and water. Safeguarding public health helps Islanders prosper and our province’s economy succeed.
“To have a healthy population we need to protect the public from environmental health hazards that affect their daily lives,” said Health and Wellness Minister Robert Henderson. “Although the work of environmental health professionals sometimes goes unnoticed until a crisis arises -- like a boil order or a food recall – these dedicated individuals are committed to promoting and protecting the public health of Islanders each and every day.”
In Prince Edward Island environmental health officers inspect, enforce, and educate in areas including:
- food premises;
- recreational water;
- health care;
- childcare facilities;
- personal services;
- drinking water systems;
- land use;
- sewage systems;
- air quality;
- institutions; and
- the control of health hazards within the community.
“Environmental health officers work together with industry and facilities operators to reduce the chance of illness and prevent disease,” said Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison. “They provide a tremendous support to the Chief Public Health Office and are instrumental to the protection of population health across Prince Edward Island.”
The province’s environmental health office hosts food safety training programs each month for food premises operators. The one-day course covers food hygiene, preparing food safely, and preventing food poisoning. To register, visit www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/register-food-safety-course.
Volunteer food safety presentations are also offered for nonprofit organizations and/or service clubs. These groups are required to have at least one organizer or volunteer present during food preparation who has completed the food safety training or has proof of attending the volunteer food safety presentation. These presentations are free and registration is available at www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/volunteer-food-safety-presentations.
Environmental Public Health Week is headed by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) and the 2017 theme is “Honoring Tradition, Inspiring Innovation.”
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