12. CONCLUSIONS

Results of the Environmental Health Monitoring System for 2004 are a standard comprehensive data series that has been obtained in the eleventh year of monitoring activities. They provide important background information for both the national authorities involved in health risk management and the general public interested in active health protection. These comprehensive data indicative of environmental pollution levels and population health status in the Czech Republic are also an information source for other countries worldwide taking part in commercial and cultural contacts.

The most relevant findings of the Monitoring System are as follows:

It is not possible to determine any safe concentration or exposure standard for mutagenic and carcinogenic substances in view of their no-threshold effects; only socially allowable health risks can be established. Although justly suspected, negative health effects have not been either known or proved for a number of chemicals. Therefore, it is crucial to reduce the population exposure to these chemicals or keep it as low as reasonably possible.

To apply such a strategy where most needed, systematic monitoring of hazardous environmental pollutants and their health effects and monitoring-based health risk estimates are to be conducted. Monitoring of the environment and population health will be helpful in reducing pollutant exposure levels and improving health parameters so as to become comparable with those in other EU countries and compatible with sustainability of life.

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