Want sustainable development? Assess impacts first.

摘要

This research investigated methods for achieving sustainable development in small communities as well as the workplace. After involvement in an initial case study, with a growing noxious industry in a small city, it became apparent that small, local communities lacked knowledge and methods to assess impacts of growth in order to foster sustainable development.;That led to a survey of 24 towns in eastern Massachusetts to determine if sustainable development was part of town practices and if impact assessments were used to lessen impacts and improve sustainability.;Based on the findings of the research, three papers were written to explore the concept of using impact assessments to promote sustainable development. Since the survey dealt with planners, a planning journal was chosen as the target audience for the first paper. This paper summarized the results of the survey in eastern Massachusetts and suggested methods for planning officials to improve upon their efforts toward sustainable development.;The second paper took a closer look at how impact assessments might benefit a town's efforts toward sustainable development. It also examined existing models for doing impact assessments to find a model or parts of models that were appropriate for use by towns. Next, the paper offered suggestions for improving sustainable development efforts in the towns. Last, the role of the local public health official in promoting sustainable development was discussed.;The final paper looked at the role of the occupational hygienist in encouraging sustainable development. It suggested that occupational hygienists take a more central role in encouraging sustainable development. A case study covering an impact assessment by an occupational hygienist was offered as an example of a path for OH professionals to become involved in sustainable development efforts.