Environmental Health Specialist
March 29, 2024
Updated May 18, 2025
17 minute read
A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming an Environmental Health Specialist
An Environmental Health Specialist is a professional dedicated to identifying, evaluating, and mitigating environmental factors that can negatively impact human health and well-being. These individuals work at the intersection of science, public health, and regulatory affairs to protect communities from various hazards. Their work is crucial in ensuring safe drinking water, clean air, wholesome food, and healthy living and working environments.
Working as an Environmental Health Specialist can be deeply rewarding. You might find yourself investigating the source of a foodborne illness outbreak one day and developing strategies to reduce community exposure to pollutants the next. The role often involves a mix of fieldwork, laboratory analysis, data interpretation, and community education, making it a dynamic and engaging career path. Furthermore, with growing public awareness of environmental issues and their health consequences, the demand for skilled specialists in this field is on the rise.
What is an Environmental Health Specialist?
At its core, an Environmental Health Specialist is a guardian of public health, focusing on the environmental determinants of health. They apply scientific principles to understand how contaminants and hazards in our surroundings can affect us and work to prevent or control these risks. This involves a broad understanding of various scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, toxicology, and epidemiology.
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Find a path to becoming a Environmental Health Specialist. Learn more at:
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Reading list
We've selected some books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Environmental Health Specialist.
Provides a comprehensive review of the health consequences of climate change, covering heat-related disorders, infectious diseases, malnutrition, mental health impacts, and more. It also discusses mitigation and adaptation strategies and policies. With contributions from numerous experts and a recent publication date, it's an essential resource for understanding a critical contemporary environmental health issue.
This engaging book explores human behavior during disasters, examining why some people panic while others remain calm and act effectively. It uses compelling narratives and scientific research to provide insights into the psychology of survival. is highly relevant for understanding the human element in disaster management and must-read for anyone interested in preparedness and response from a behavioral perspective.
Written from a physician's perspective, this book clarifies the science and potential health threats of climate change in an accessible way. It covers a range of health impacts, making the concept of climate change relatable through its effects on human well-being. This valuable book for gaining a contemporary understanding of a major environmental health challenge.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to environmental health, covering a wide range of topics from traditional areas like air and water quality to broader issues such as climate change and the built environment. It is commonly used as a textbook in academic institutions and is suitable for gaining a broad understanding of the field. The book offers a multi-faceted view with global and local perspectives.
Examines environmental racism and the disproportionate impact of industrial pollution on marginalized communities in the United States. It uses case studies to illustrate how race and class influence environmental exposures and residential patterns. This crucial book for understanding the social determinants of environmental health and contemporary environmental justice issues.
A Pulitzer Prize-winning book, this provides a powerful and in-depth account of the ethical dilemmas and difficult decisions faced by healthcare professionals during Hurricane Katrina. It highlights critical issues in disaster response, particularly within the healthcare system. is essential reading for those interested in the complexities and challenges of real-world disaster scenarios and the ethical considerations involved.
Kathleen Tierney, a leading disaster scholar, argues that disasters are not purely natural events but are deeply rooted in social and institutional structures. challenges conventional thinking by highlighting how societal factors contribute to vulnerability and risk. It crucial read for those seeking a deeper, critical understanding of the social dimensions of disasters and resilience.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and methods of epidemiology. It valuable resource for students and professionals who are interested in learning more about the science of public health.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and methods of health policy and politics. It valuable resource for students and professionals who are interested in learning more about the political process and how it affects health policy.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and methods of global public health. It valuable resource for students and professionals who are interested in learning more about the health challenges facing the world today.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the ethical issues that arise in public health practice. It valuable resource for students and professionals who are interested in learning more about the ethical dimensions of public health.
Examines environmental injustices in the current political and environmental climate, highlighting mobilizations and movements for environmental justice. It explores dispossession, deregulation, privatization, and inequality in relation to environmental health. This highly relevant book for understanding contemporary environmental justice struggles and their roots.
This text offers a clear and comprehensive study of the major topics in environmental health, including environmental epidemiology, toxicology, policy, and specific environmental diseases and applications. It's designed as an introductory textbook, making it excellent for students and professionals seeking foundational knowledge to solidify their understanding of the field's core concepts and tools.
This textbook comprehensive resource on the unique susceptibilities of children to environmental hazards and the profound impacts of chemical, biological, physical, and societal factors on child health. It covers new discoveries and guides effective interventions. This crucial book for anyone focusing on the specific environmental health concerns of children.
This textbook provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of environmental justice, a dynamic field in environmental politics. It explores the foundations, concepts, debates, and historical milestones, including issues like climate justice and energy justice. It's an ideal introductory text for understanding the social and equity dimensions of environmental health.
This textbook provides a comprehensive view of environmental risk assessment with a toxicological approach, covering problem formulation, exposure, toxicity, and risk characterization for both human health and ecological risk. The second edition includes updated information and new software/platforms. It's a core text for those needing to develop, conduct, and interpret risk assessments, crucial for deepening understanding in this applied area.
Offers a visionary and practical approach to addressing the climate crisis by weaving together solutions that consider justice, climate, biodiversity, equity, and human dignity. It describes the burgeoning regeneration movement and provides actions for individuals and communities. It's a compelling read for understanding contemporary solutions and movements in environmental health and sustainability.
Focuses specifically on the critical role of communication during disasters, examining how the evolving media landscape, including social media, impacts information dissemination and public response. It provides valuable insights for professionals and students on effective communication strategies in a crisis. This is particularly relevant given the increasing reliance on diverse communication channels during emergencies.
Drawing on multiple disciplines, this comprehensive text introduces the principles and methods for assessing and managing environmental health risks. It provides an overview of the scientific basis of environmental health hazards, risk assessment, and risk management, and discusses the link between environmental health and sustainable development. is valuable for gaining a broad, interdisciplinary understanding.
Focuses specifically on emergency management within the healthcare sector. It covers the principles and practices necessary for healthcare facilities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. This is an essential resource for healthcare professionals and administrators involved in disaster planning and response.
A classic of environmental literature, this book combines lyrical nature writing with the articulation of a 'land ethic,' advocating for a respectful relationship between humans and the natural world. While not a textbook, its philosophical reflections are foundational to understanding environmental values and conservation, which underpin environmental health efforts.
Explores the application of Federated Learning (FL) and artificial intelligence (AI) in disaster management. It delves into how AI can be used for predictive modeling, resource allocation, and information sharing while maintaining data privacy. This highly relevant book for those interested in contemporary technological advancements in disaster management, aligning with the course topic of AI and Disaster Management.
Explores the fundamentals of environmental health with a global perspective, incorporating real-life readings and data sets from both developed and developing countries. It is geared towards undergraduate and graduate students, providing a solid grounding in current issues and controversies. The case studies help illustrate concepts in different contexts, adding breadth to understanding.
Written by a former International President of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), this book offers a powerful and personal reflection on the challenges and complexities of humanitarian action in the modern era. It provides valuable insights into the realities of working in humanitarian crises and the ethical considerations involved. is particularly relevant for those interested in the international and ethical aspects of disaster response.
This comprehensive introductory textbook covers environmental toxicology from the molecular to the ecosystem level. It discusses basic to advanced concepts, methods, and approaches, as well as the toxicology of specific substances and complex issues. It includes case studies and exercises, making it a useful reference and learning tool for deepening understanding of how chemicals affect living organisms and the environment.
Explores the concept of disaster resilience in urban areas within the context of sustainable development. It provides evidence-based techniques and case studies for building resilient cities and links disaster risk management with broader sustainability goals. This is particularly relevant for those interested in urban planning, environmental studies, and long-term disaster resilience.
Focusing on human disorders and ecotoxicology, this handbook provides authoritative reviews and case studies on major toxins from biological sources, pollutants, and radiation. It explores cutting-edge research and future developments, offering extensive coverage of toxicants of current and future concern. is valuable for advanced students and researchers looking to deepen their understanding of specific toxic agents and their impacts.
Through striking photography and graphics, this atlas surveys the issue of plastic pollution in the oceans and its impacts on wildlife and human health. It also highlights initiatives to tackle the problem. is valuable for understanding a significant contemporary environmental health issue and potential solutions.
Examines the political and policy landscape of emergency management and homeland security in the United States. It explores how policy decisions and political factors influence disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. This valuable resource for understanding the governmental and political context within which disaster management operates.
This journal publishes articles on the latest developments in infection control, including research, best practices, and case studies.
Offers a collection of case studies focusing on disaster risk reduction in urban areas of Africa. It explores the social, environmental, and governance factors that contribute to urban vulnerability and examines local measures for addressing risk. It provides valuable context and real-world examples for understanding disaster risk reduction in a specific geographical and socio-economic context.
This journal publishes articles on the latest developments in infection control, including research, best practices, and case studies.
Provides a concise and accessible overview of the key concepts and principles of public health. It great resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about the field.
Provides a concise and accessible overview of the key concepts and principles of public health. It great resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about the field.
Explores the future of public health and the challenges and opportunities that the field will face in the years to come.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/career/ck4tvf/environmental
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