5188.0: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 3:06 PM

Abstract #25241

Environmental Justice: International Perspectives

Barry S. Levy, MD, MPH, Barry S. Levy Associates, P. O. Box 1230, Sherborn, MA 01770, 5086501039, blevy@igc.org

With regard to occupational health and safety, there are many international instances of environmental injustice. Among the forms of environmental injustice internationally that pertain to occupational health and safety are: (1) the export of hazardous industries, products, and wastes from developed to developing countries, resulting in higher worker exposures in developing countries than in developed countries; (2) inadequate legislation and regulation concerning occupational health and safety; (3) inadequate resources to recognize, diagnose, treat, and prevent work-related diseases and injuries in developing countries; (4) socioeconomic policies that force workers into unsafe jobs; and (5) inadequate protection of basic human rights for workers and their families. In addition, workers and their families experience environmental injustice beyond the workplace. This presentation will describe specific examples of environmental injustice in occupational health and safety, and what occupational health and safety professionals, workers, policy makers, and others can do to address these problems and to achieve environmental justice.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the presentation, attendees will be able: (1) to identify and describe international examples of environmental injustice concerning occupational health; and (2) what can be done to address environmental injustice internationally.

Keywords: Environmental Justice, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA