Public health and environmental pollution: precautionary paradigms - doi:10.5020/18061230.2008.p69

Abstract

Objective: To present thoughts involving environmental perspectives, public health and antropogenic actions related to the increasing consumption due to the modernism established in the world. Data synthesis: The precautionary paradigm appears as the confirmation and recognition provided by scientific uncertainties and inadequate evaluation on the impact of human activities that contributed to the environment degradation and that damaged human health. Based on the principle of precaution, we will argue upon such matters here signalized, correlating these circumstances, joining ethics, science, strengths, weakness, values and health. The aim of the here proposed argumentation is to contribute as a guide for the evaluation of the impacts caused by human activities in the environment and to base more extreme questions for the protection of both public health and the ecosystems’ sustainability, for now and for future generations. Conclusion: Both government and industry must accept that all people and organizations have the duty to care for the Earth; that business ethics should be ruled by a wider social and environmental ethics, and that the environment, not the industry, determines the limits of the ecosystems’ tolerance. Both states and industries are urged to go beyond compliance with existing regulations and adopt the practices and technologies that achieve maximal eco-efficiency.