Sanitarian

SANITARIAN

A sanitarian is a person who is trained in the sanitary sciences, biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and math, and who operates as an inspector or health official in the public sector or private industry, reviewing programs and enforcing local laws to protect the public's health. She or he is a public health professional whose responsibilities may include food sanitation and safety; air, water, and environmental protection; inspection of water-well and sewage-disposal systems; control of insect pests, and animals; disease control and epidemiology; housing, occupational, and institutional safety and sanitation; and nuisance control. Many states require sanitarians to be registered and to maintain registration and continuing education.

DONALD J. MANSON

(SEE ALSO: Environmental Determinants of Health; Regulations Affecting Housing; Regulations Affecting Restaurants; Vector-Borne Diseases; Waterborne Diseases)