Environmental health

When returning to a flood-affected area, remember that wild animals, including rats, mice, snakes or spiders, may be trapped in your home, shed or garden.

When returning to your home after a flood, take precautions to reduce the possibility of injury, illness or disease.

Houses, sheds and other buildings or structures burnt in a bushfire can leave potential health hazards.

Being prepared for a bushfire helps you cope better in an emergency.

Debris, smoke, ash and dead animals from a bushfire can contaminate water tanks.

Moderately cold weather increases the risk of illness and death. Check on your older neighbours, friends and relatives during cold weather, especially those living alone or with a health condition.

You and your family should work out an emergency plan in case of flood.

In an emergency, it is recommended that all infants and their carers evacuate early or immediately when advised by emergency services.

Extreme heat can affect anyone, including the young and healthy.

Heat kills more Australians than any natural disaster. Find out how you can treat and prevent heat-related illness, including heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramp and heat rash.

Know the effects of extreme heat, who is at risk and how you can prepare yourself and others.

The way to control indoor mould growth is to control the source of moisture.

Sewage contains harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa.

Talking to children openly in a way that suits their age, while also involving them in decisions regarding bushfire preparation and response, will help them feel emotionally secure and confident.

Urban flash flooding can happen quickly and without warning. Keep up-to-date with the latest warnings through the VicEmergency website or download the app.

Not all air conditioners are safe to use when it is smoky outside, such as during a bushfire.

Mine tailings near goldmines may contain high levels of arsenic.

Low-level exposure to cadmium over a long period of time may cause health effects because cadmium can accumulate in the body.

Sprayed chemicals can drift over neighbouring properties or water sources, and can affect human health, animals or the environment.

CCA treated timber should not be used to build children's play equipment, patios, new garden furniture, decking or handrails.

To reduce risks on the farm, use hazardous chemicals according to manufacturer guidelines or replace them with less dangerous options.

It can be dangerous to dispose of hazardous wastes through regular rubbish collections.

Long-term exposure to low levels of lead may produce symptoms including irritability, lack of energy and loss of appetite.

If you shoot firearms, handle bullets, make your own ammunition or visit shooting ranges, you’re at a higher risk for lead exposure.

Preventing or minimising exposure to mercury in your environment is the best way to reduce the risk of mercury poisoning.

Pregnant women and young children should limit consumption of fish that contain high levels of mercury.

If you use pesticides to control pests around the house, make sure you use as little as possible.

If you have pest problems that you cannot manage yourself, you may need to hire an authorised pest control operator.

Water quality of natural water sources, such as beaches and rivers, can vary greatly. Keeping a lookout for poor water quality (such as water that is discoloured, murky or smells unpleasant) will help you decide when it is safe to enter the water. By paying attention to a few noticeable signs, you can keep yourself safe.

The effects of climate change will have a serious impact on the physical and mental health of people around the world.

Some types of algae and cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) produce toxins that can harm people and animals when swallowed, inhaled or touched. Do not enter the water at locations affected

Urban flash flooding can happen quickly and without warning. Keep up-to-date with the latest warnings through the VicEmergency website or download the app.

When returning to a flood-affected area, remember that wild animals, including rats, mice, snakes or spiders, may be trapped in your home, shed or garden.

When returning to your home after a flood, take precautions to reduce the possibility of injury, illness or disease.

The major sources of man-made air pollution in Melbourne are from motor vehicle emissions and wood heaters.

Allergy occurs when the body overreacts to a 'trigger' that is harmless to most people.

Moderately cold weather increases the risk of illness and death. Check on your older neighbours, friends and relatives during cold weather, especially those living alone or with a health condition.

Disease clusters are rare but can cause community concern about the possible effects of exposure to environmental hazards.

You and your family should work out an emergency plan in case of flood.

High-risk food should be kept at 5 °C or below, and above 60 °C to avoid the temperature danger zone and food poisoning.

Some types of algae and cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) produce toxins that can harm people and animals when swallowed, inhaled or touched. Do not enter the water at locations affected

It can be dangerous to dispose of hazardous wastes through regular rubbish collections.

Learn how to prepare and cook food safely at home.

Learn how to store food safely in your fridge at home.

People who fish in the Lower Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers need to be careful about eating their catch because of the risk of chemical exposure.

Food allergy is an immune response, while food intolerance is a chemical reaction.

You can minimise the risk of food poisoning by taking simple precautions.

High-risk food should be kept at 5 °C or below, and above 60 °C to avoid the temperature danger zone and food poisoning.

Some types of algae and cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) produce toxins that can harm people and animals when swallowed, inhaled or touched. Do not enter the water at locations affected

Keeping chickens as pets can be a rewarding experience, especially for children. However, chickens and other poultry can carry germs such as Salmonella, even when they appear healthy and clean.

Chemicals such as pesticides, antibiotics and hormones are used to boost food production and ensure adequate food supply.

When asbestos fibres become airborne, people working with asbestos may inhale particles which remain in their lungs.

Asbestos fibres breathed into the lungs can cause a range of health problems including lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Bedbugs have highly developed mouth parts that can pierce skin.

Gardening is an enjoyable form of exercise, but you need to take care.

If you service your gas heater regularly and use it correctly, it will be safe and economical to use.

When handled properly, greywater can be safely reused for the garden.

It can be dangerous to dispose of hazardous wastes through regular rubbish collections.

Use this simple checklist and take action to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. The best protection from mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites.

The way to control indoor mould growth is to control the source of moisture.

Passive smoking means breathing other people's second-hand tobacco smoke. Passive smoking increases the risk of serious illness in both children and adults.

If you use pesticides to control pests around the house, make sure you use as little as possible.

If you have pest problems that you cannot manage yourself, you may need to hire an authorised pest control operator.

Sewage contains harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa.

Not all air conditioners are safe to use when it is smoky outside, such as during a bushfire.

The smoke from wood fires can affect air quality and may affect people's health.

Since the ulcer gets bigger with time, early diagnosis and prompt treatment of Buruli ulcer can keep skin loss to a minimum.

Disease clusters are rare but can cause community concern about the possible effects of exposure to environmental hazards.

Some types of algae and cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) produce toxins that can harm people and animals when swallowed, inhaled or touched. Do not enter the water at locations affected

We can keep our pools safe, healthy, and most importantly fun.

Some mosquitoes can carry diseases that are transmitted through mosquito bites. It is often necessary for landowners and land occupiers to manage mosquito numbers through an integrated mosquito manage

Use this simple checklist and take action to prevent mosquitoes from spoiling your holiday. Mosquitoes can carry diseases be prepared and avoid mosquito bites.

Use this simple checklist and take action to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. The best protection from mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites.

You can reduce the risk of mosquito bites if you get rid of potential mosquito breeding sites around your home.

A needlestick injury means the skin is accidentally punctured by a used needle. Diseases that could be transmitted by a needle or needlestick injury include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

When asbestos fibres become airborne, people working with asbestos may inhale particles which remain in their lungs.

Long-term exposure to asbestos is a cause of lung cancer and other serious illnesses.

The effect of electromagetic fields (EMF) from power lines and other sources is a controversial issue.

Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia.

Using a mobile phone while driving greatly increases the risk of traffic accidents.