Human Health in Environmental Impact Assessment

ARCTIC ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Ian Gilchrist
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment

The Necessity and Obstacles Analysis of Integrating HIA into EIA

2013 ◽  
Vol 807-809 ◽  
pp. 286-289
Author(s):  
Lin Wang ◽  
Hong Guang Cheng ◽  
Xue Lian Liu ◽  
Jing Xie
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment ◽  
Health Impact Assessment ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Health Protection ◽  
Related Research

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and Health Impact Assessment (HIA) both play important roles in environmental and human health protection in many counties as well as in China. Some developed countries have mature experiences on integrating HIA into EIA for years from which we can learn. In this paper, the necessity, obstacles of Chinese EIA are analyzed and follow-up work is recommended. China should carry out related research, and gradually realize the integration of EIA and HIA.

scholarly journals Integrating human health into environmental impact assessment: an unrealized opportunity for environmental health and justice

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1159-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajiv Bhatia ◽  
Aaron Wernham
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment ◽  
National Environmental Policy Act ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Public Health Institutions ◽  
Health Institutions

The National Environmental Policy Act and related state laws require many public agencies to analyze and disclose potentially significant environmental effects of agency actions, including effects on human health. In this paper we review the purpose and procedures of environmental impact assessment (EIA), existing regulatory requirements for health effects analysis, and potential barriers to and opportunities for improving integration of human health concerns within the EIA process. We use statutes, regulations, guidelines, court opinions, and empirical research on EIA along with recent case examples of integrated health impact assessment (HIA)/EIA at both the state and federal level. We extract lessons and recommendations for integrated HIA/EIA practice from both existing practices as well as case studies. The case studies demonstrate the adequacy, scope, and power of existing statutory requirements for health analysis within EIA. The following support the success of integrated HIA/EIA: a proponent recognizing EIA as an available regulatory strategy for public health; the openness of the agency conducting the EIA; involvement of public health institutions; and complementary objectives among community stakeholders and health practitioners. We recommend greater collaboration among institutions responsible for EIA, public health institutions, and affected stakeholders along with guidance, resources, and training for integrated HIA/EIA practice.

scholarly journals Lessons from an International Initiative to Set and Share Good Practice on Human Health in Environmental Impact Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1392
Author(s):  
Ben Cave ◽  
Ryngan Pyper ◽  
Birgitte Fischer-Bonde ◽  
Sarah Humboldt-Dachroeden ◽  
Piedad Martin-Olmedo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment ◽  
International Association ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
The European Union

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is applied to infrastructure and other large projects. The European Union EIA Directive (2011/92/EU as amended by 2014/52/EU) requires EIAs to consider the effects that a project might have on human health. The International Association for Impact Assessment and the European Public Health Association prepared a reference paper on public health in EIA to enable the health sector to contribute to this international requirement. We present lessons from this joint action. We review literature on policy analysis, impact assessment and Health Impact Assessment (HIA). We use findings from this review and from the consultation on the reference paper to consider how population and human health should be defined; how the health sector can participate in the EIA process; the relationship between EIA and HIA; what counts as evidence; when an effect should be considered ‘likely’ and ‘significant’; how changes in health should be reported; the risks from a business-as-usual coverage of human health in EIA; and finally competencies for conducting an assessment of human health. This article is relevant for health authorities seeking to ensure that infrastructure, and other aspects of development, are not deleterious to, but indeed improve, human health.

scholarly journals The amended EIA directive creates opportunities for public health

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Cave ◽  
O Mekel ◽  
J Nowacki ◽  
F Silva ◽  
Y Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment ◽  
Competent Authority ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Private Company ◽  
Investment Bank ◽  
European Investment

Abstract Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is conducted by the developer as part of the process of seeking consent to proceed with the project. The developer may be a public authority or a private company. The Directive for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (2011/92/EU) was amended in 2014 (2014/52/EU). The changes are now transposed into national regulations across European Union Member States. These changes have an influence beyond EU borders, for example, through the policies of the European Investment Bank and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development. The amendments to the Directive create both opportunities and challenges for public health. The opportunities stem from the changes that have been made to the Directive. Population and human health are now on the list of core topics that must be considered in an EIA. The other core topics to be assessed are each ‘determinants of health’, for example: biodiversity; land, soil, water, air and climate; and material assets, cultural heritage and the landscape. The Directive now requires the interaction between these factors to be considered. The amended Directive includes other issues that are relevant to human health, for example, climate change and vulnerability (exposure and resilience) to major accidents and/or disasters. The developer’s assessment must be prepared by Competent Experts. The changes also pose challenges. These are technical. For example, human health needs to be assessed within the framework of EIA. The changes also pose challenges to the public health workforce. There is a need to ensure there is capacity to participate in EIA. The EIA is typically prepared by the developer and reviewed by the competent authority. There is a role for public health expertise in these complementary activities. This presentation will focus on the opportunities created by the changes to the Directive and the opportunities this creates. It will also touch on the challenges.

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