ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses that the ethical questions arising in the context of environmental health have not taken account of a global nature of the enterprise. 'Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviours. It encompasses the assessment and control of those environmental factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments'. Environmental health is therefore a global issue. Some aspects may pertain to a locality or a region, but others are not thus restricted. The chapter discusses human dignity as a corollary to respect for autonomy, and suggested precaution, concern for the underprivileged and intergenerational equity as additional relevant principles which can be traced in the written and oral traditions of mankind. It uses slightly different terms, replacing concern for the underprivileged with solidarity, and intergenerational equity with sustainability.
