Public health decisions: Actions and consequences

• Published in: Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology 2014-10, Vol.70 (1), p.363-369
• Main Authors: Pohl, H.R., Jones, D.E., Holler, J.S., Murray, H.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical regulations; Decision Making; Gasoline additives; Hazardous Substances - toxicity; Humans; Insecticides; Public Health; Risk Assessment - methods; Risk Management - methods; Risk management decisions; Wood preservatives
• ISSN: 0273-2300; 1096-0295
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.07.023

•Public health decisions weigh benefits and risks of various options.•DDT’s toxicity versus mortality from malaria preventable via vector eradication.•Toxicity of gasoline additives versus pollution from incomplete combustion.•Toxicity of wood preservatives versus economic loss of decayed lumber. The goal of public health is to promote the best possible health for the whole population. Public health issues are numerous and can be unbelievably complex in form, scope, and possible consequence. Most public health decisions involve assessing several different options, weighing the respective benefits and risks of those options, and making difficult decisions that hopefully provide the greatest benefit to the affected populations. Many risk management decisions involve a variety of societal factors which modify risk assessment choices. The purpose of this paper is to point out difficulties in making decisions that impact public health. The intent of such decisions is to improve public health, but as illustrated in the paper, there can be unintended adverse consequences. Such unplanned issues require continued attention and efforts for responsible officials in the protection of environmental public health. This article presents examples of such events, when in the past, it was necessary to assess and regulate a number of potentially hazardous chemicals commonly used as insecticides, gasoline additives, and wood preservatives.