Environmental Health encompasses the physical, chemical, and biological factors in the environment that affect human health and influence their behavior. It focuses on the identification, assessment, and control of these factors to prevent environmental health hazards, nuisances, and diseases. Environmental Health is a community-based service integral to Primary Health Care and essential to an effective health system. Since 1994, the field of Environmental Health has undergone significant transformation in terms of professional training, governance responsibilities, and scope of practice. The profession has evolved from Sanitation Inspectors in the early 1960s, to Health Inspectors during the 1970s and 1980s, Environmental Health Officers from the 1980s to the early 2000s, and is currently designated as Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from 2008 onwards. While the term “Health Inspector” remains widely used, “Environmental Health Practitioner” is the official title, reflecting the expanded and modernized role of the profession. Environmental Health Practitioners are qualified professionals registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in terms of the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974.

Environmental Health risk factors within the scope of Environmental Health Practitioners include but are not limited to:

• Environmental pollution, such as emissions from “imbawula” fires
• Illegal dumping and contaminated water sources, such as taps and boreholes
• Food safety hazards linked to contaminated foodstuffs
• Chemical safety concerns associated with the unsafe handling of pesticides and other hazardous substances
• Disease outbreaks, including waterborne, foodborne, vector-borne, chemical poisonings, and climate-related health risks
• Infestation of pests
• Unsafe handling of human remains
• Hazardous and non-compliant premises, including business, residential, recreational, healthcare, educational, and places of worship