Environmental Health Concerns

If you have health problems or are exposed to health risks due to environmental conditions, you can notify the municipality. The municipality can investigate the matter and, if necessary, issue orders for impact assessments, corrective measures, fines, or cessation of activities.

Concerns may include:

• Indoor air quality in public buildings
• Noise pollution
• Air pollution or unpleasant odors
• Pests
• Risk of accidents
• Exposure to tobacco smoke

Authorities and the public now have a greater understanding of how environmental factors impact health and what can cause illness or discomfort. The municipality is responsible for preventive measures and for supervising environmental factors and various businesses, such as institutions, factories, food service establishments, and livestock farming.

Residents of the municipality

It is not necessary for health damage or significant discomfort to have already occurred before you report the issue. Preventive measures may be taken before anyone becomes ill.

Hjelpetilbud i kommunen

See in particular:

Folkehelseloven kapittel 3

Tobakkskadeloven § 25

Forvaltningsloven
Folkehelseloven
Tobakksskadeloven
Forskrift om miljørettet helsevern

If you experience environmental health concerns, you can report them directly to the municipality by phone, email, or through the municipality’s website.

The municipality will gather the necessary information to assess whether there is a legal basis to require a business or property owner to implement measures to eliminate or reduce negative health effects. The municipality may, for example, conduct an inspection, issue corrective action orders, or halt activities.

The municipality will exercise professional judgment in its decision-making, ensuring that the benefits of any measures are proportional to their costs.

The municipality is obligated to follow up on reports from residents. However, this does not necessarily result in a formal decision, and there is no formal right to appeal.