Ambiente e salute: necessità, anche tecnica, di una visione integrata

Environment and health: the need of integration, even from the technical point of view

Abstract

The Author considers the negative effects of the dichotomy between the environmental and health institutions and the need to overcome it. Scientists have a prominent role in the formulation and application of the environment and health regulations, writing guidelines, expressing opinions and producing technical risk assessments. To this aim they should combine multidisciplinary competencies, taking in account the most recent scientific knowledge and the appropriate protocols to define uncertainty and to compare conflicting points of view. Moreover, the involvement of citizens is essential in taking decision and defining the levels of acceptable risk, but it implies that they reach a proper level of Health Literacy to understand and evaluate information. Scientists have the duty of transferring and exchanging knowledge with decision makers and citizen. 

Keywords: Environmental Protection; Human Health; Multidisciplinary integration; Health Impact Assessment; Knowledge Transfer Exchange.