SDG 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

Event Title: Five Days Training Program on “Management Strategies for Environmental Health and Safety: A Step Towards Achieving SDGs” held on 16^th - 20^th January 2023.

Event Description: The five-days training program, titled "Management Strategies for Environmental Health and Safety: A Step towards Achieving SDGs," was a comprehensive initiative that unfolded from the 16th to the 20th of January 2023. Rooted in the acknowledgment of environmental contamination as a major global issue with severe implications for health and food security, the program addressed the escalating exposure of humans and animals to debilitating levels of contamination on a daily basis. The primary focus lay in the assessment of toxic substances in the environment, monitoring environments for the presence of toxins, and understanding the effects of toxins on both biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems. The backdrop was marked by the harmful repercussions of chemical and biological agents, including toxicants from pollutants, insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers, capable of reducing species diversity and abundance, consequently affecting ecosystems' productivity and stability worldwide. Air pollution emerged as a poignant contributor to millions of premature deaths annually, primarily attributed to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, heart failure, and respiratory infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a staggering 99% of humanity breathed air containing contaminants above recommended levels, underscoring the urgency to address this pervasive issue. The United Nations had, in its 2022–2025 agenda, identified "a pollution-free planet" as one of its three pillars, alongside climate change and biodiversity. The imperative to mitigate contamination and alleviate the burden of pollution-related diseases necessitated the formulation of targeted strategies. In this context, the training program aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to devise such strategies. A fundamental aspect was the rigorous risk assessment of each chemical and natural contaminant, supported by solid evidence from toxicity studies. Meticulous efforts were dedicated to exploring possible mechanisms of action for each pollutant and detecting their toxic potential and safe limits through a combination of in vitro approaches and comprehensive in vivo animal testing. The thematic focus of the program revolved around environmental toxicology, encompassing heavy metals, pesticides, nanoparticles, micro-nano plastics, indoor air pollutants, pharmaceuticals, and industrial toxicants. This lens allowed for a profound exploration of their human health effects, risk assessment methodologies, and the intricate relationships between various diseases and environmental pollutants. The program's overarching objective was to unravel the complexities of human exposure to environmental pollutants, which could lead to adverse effects such as neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity, infertility, and metabolic disorders. The multifaceted objectives of the training program spanned building sensitivity and developing awareness on Environmental Health Sciences and human health among participants. It aimed to impart a nuanced understanding of how a wide range of toxicants, spanning pesticides, metals, solvents, air pollutants, persistent organic pollutants, and radiation, could affect human health. Beyond theoretical knowledge, participants were encouraged to develop practical skills in identifying, characterizing, and controlling environmental hazards. Basic toxicological principles became a focal point, providing the necessary knowledge to apply in safeguarding the health of individuals and groups exposed to chemicals in the workplace. The program fostered skills in critical thinking, reasoning, enquiring, and decision-making concerning the effects of toxicity on the environment. The schedule unfolded across five days, each dedicated to specific themes. The evening of the first day focused on unravelling the complexities of environmental pollutants, health risks, and their management. Subsequent mornings and evenings delved into occupational health safety, environmental research methodology and biostatistics, environmental toxicology, epidemiological studies, green toxicology, environmental pollutants and monitoring of health effects, pollution prevention and sustainable solutions, and concluded with a focus on green chemistry for sustainable development, bioeconomy, and circular economy. Anticipated learning outcomes for participants included the ability to explain the basic principles of toxicology, encompassing dose-response, fundamental design elements of toxicology studies, and physiological processes determining the fate of chemicals in the body. Participants were expected to apply these principles to evaluate the risk of exposure to chemicals in the environment, comprehend the influence of personal characteristics such as diet and genetics on individual responses to environmental toxicants, and retrieve toxicology information from public health effects databases. Moreover, the program aimed to instil problem-solving skills, enabling participants to interpret data to determine toxic doses for humans, distinguish non-toxic doses, and understand inter-species variations in toxicity. The overarching goal was to empower participants to present environmental health issues effectively to an educated audience and propose preventive measures. In its essence, the training program was not merely a theoretical exploration but a practical and applied endeavour. The comprehensive knowledge imparted was designed to transcend the confines of the program's duration, enabling participants to actively contribute to environmental health and safety in their respective domains. The strategic alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals added a global context, emphasizing the program's role in contributing to a sustainable and pollution-free planet.