The economic success of Ireland has led to new challenges with regard to environment, an international conference on environment health was told today.
Ann Marie Part, chairwoman of the Irish Environmental Health Officers' Association, said: "So much has changed for the better in Ireland and this has been especially marked by our economic success. However this has created new challenges in regard to environmental health.
"We live further from work and we spend endless hours on cars and trains. Deaths on our roads are relentless - accidents at work are on the increase. We are cash rich and time poor. We eat out more often and obesity is now a major concern," she added.
Ms Part was speaking at the 9th World Congress on Environmental Health, which opened in Dublin this week.
The five-day conference will focus on environment and health, public health, occupational health and food safety. Over 400 leading environmentalists are expected to attend.
Tánaiste Mary Harney will address the conference on Thursday.
