UCT Division of Environmental Health

UCT Division of Environmental Health Welcome to the official FB page for the University of Cape Town's Division of Environmental Health.

19/06/2026

🌿 Environmental Health Tip for the week

Did you know your shopping receipt may contain highly hazardous chemicals?

Whenever you can, skip printing or accepting paper receipts. Many are coated with a highly hazardous chemical that can transfer to your skin.

And if you have little ones in the trolley, don't hand them the receipt to play with!

A small change at the checkout can help reduce unnecessary chemical exposure for you and your family and the environment.

➡️ Interested in learning more about Environmental Health?
Explore UCT’s Master of Public Health specialising in Environmental Health or the Professional Master’s in Chemical Risk Management:

https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/postgraduate-teaching-masters-programmes/professional-masters-chemicals-risk-management
https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/divisions/environmental-health





12/06/2026

🌿 Environmental Health Tip for the week

Instead of using bleach to clean reusable plastic water bottles, choose less toxic alternatives such as vinegar or baking soda. These can help remove odours and residue while reducing your exposure to harsh chemicals and supporting a healthier environment.

♻️ A simple switch for a cleaner bottle and a cleaner planet.

➡️ Interested in learning more about Environmental Health?
Explore UCT’s Master of Public Health specialising in Environmental Health or the Professional Master’s in Chemical Risk Management:

https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/postgraduate-teaching-masters-programmes/professional-masters-chemicals-risk-management

https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/divisions/environmental-health



📢 Enhance your career in chemical risk management with the UCT Professional Masters in Chemical Risk Management (MCRM). ...
11/06/2026

📢 Enhance your career in chemical risk management with the UCT Professional Masters in Chemical Risk Management (MCRM).
Our two-year, internet-based programme is designed to offer a flexible structure and part-time learning to fit your busy schedule.

➡️ Why choose the UCT MCRM?
- Two-year programme
- Internet-based teaching
- Flexible structure
- Part-time learning

💡 Application Deadlines:
31 May, 31 July and 30 September

🔗Apply here: http://applyonline.uct.ac.za

📌Don't miss out on this opportunity to advance your career. Apply now!

🌐 More information here: https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/postgraduate-teaching-masters-programmes/professional-masters-chemicals-risk-management

✉️ For any inquiries, contact us at [email protected]


05/06/2026

🧪🌱 Environmental Health Tip: Sustainable Lab Practices

💡Research and teaching environments can play an important role in promoting environmental sustainability.

Simple actions can make a meaningful difference:
✔ Switch off unused lights and equipment
✔ Install water-saving devices where possible
✔ Minimise chemical and general waste
✔ Reduce reliance on single-use plastics
✔ Develop sustainable laboratory protocols and practices

💬 What is one change your lab, department, or research group has implemented to become more environmentally sustainable?

A recent example comes from the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) at UCT, which became Africa's first My Green Lab-certified academic research institute.

As part of this achievement, the institute implemented a series of simple but impactful measures, including switching off unused lights and equipment, installing water restrictors, minimising waste, and developing new protocols for sustainable laboratory operations.

Their experience demonstrates that environmental sustainability can be integrated into research excellence through practical, everyday actions.

Learn more:
🔗 My Green Lab Certification: https://mygreenlab.org/programs/mgl-certification/

🔗 IDM certification story: https://idm.uct.ac.za/articles/2025-10-17-idm-africas-first-my-green-lab-certified-academic-research-institute, https://idm.uct.ac.za/sustainability

➡️ Interested in learning more about Environmental Health?
Explore UCT’s Master of Public Health specialising in Environmental Health or the Professional Master’s in Chemical Risk Management:

https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/postgraduate-teaching-masters-programmes/professional-masters-chemicals-risk-management
https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/divisions/environmental-health



22/05/2026

🌍 Environmental Health Tip 💡

🚰 Blocked drain? Before reaching for harsh chemicals, try this safer home method:

🔧 Step 1: Clear what you can
Use a plunger (if possible) to loosen the blockage.

🧪 Step 2: Natural reaction clean
➡️ Pour ½ cup bicarbonate of soda into the drain
➡️ Follow with ½ cup vinegar
➡️ Close the drain so the mixture works inside

⏱️ Step 3: Wait
Leave it for about 1 hour

💧 Step 4: Flush
Pour boiling water down the drain to clear loosened debris

🌿 Prevention tip
Once a month, pour boiling water down your drains to help keep them clear and prevent build-up.

💬 Have you ever tried this method before?

What do you do first when a drain blocks?
👍 Plunger
🧪 Chemical cleaner
🧑‍🔧 Call someone
🤷 Panic and wait it out

Share in the comments below 👇

➡️ Interested in learning more about Environmental Health?
Explore UCT’s Master of Public Health specialising in Environmental Health or the Professional Master’s in Chemical Risk Management:

https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/postgraduate-teaching-masters-programmes/professional-masters-chemicals-risk-management
https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/divisions/environmental-health



15/05/2026

🌍 Environmental Health Tip 💡
Use your voice to make a difference!

Share environmental health knowledge with others by:
🗣️ Giving talks
✍️ Writing posts or op-eds
👥 Educating your community
📲 Sharing EH tips like this one

Small conversations can inspire big change for healthier communities and environments.
What’s one environmental health issue you think more people should know about? Share in the comments below 👇

➡️ Interested in learning more about Environmental Health?
Explore UCT’s Master of Public Health specialising in Environmental Health or the Professional Master’s in Chemical Risk Management:

https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/postgraduate-teaching-masters-programmes/professional-masters-chemicals-risk-management
https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/divisions/environmental-health



08/05/2026

🌿 Environmental Health Tip for the week

Reduce waste - use cloth instead of single-use paper towels to clean your kitchen and wipe surfaces.

♻️ Repurpose old towels or t-shirts by cutting them into small cleaning cloths.

Simple yet impactful ways to protect the environment and safeguard your well-being. Stay tuned for weekly doses of eco-friendly wisdom. Together, we can make a greener, healthier world! 🌿🌟

➡️ Interested in learning more about Environmental Health?

Explore UCT’s Master of Public Health specialising in Environmental Health or the Professional Master’s in Chemical Risk Management:

https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/postgraduate-teaching-masters-programmes/professional-masters-chemicals-risk-management

https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/divisions/environmental-health

➡️Discover our outreach material: https://health.uct.ac.za/environmental-health-projects


06/05/2026

🌿Discover our new Environmental Health tip for the week:

Reduce your exposure to non-ionising (low-level) radiation from electromagnetic fields, as research on health impacts from long-term exposures is still limited. Keep your phone about 25 cm away from your head when making calls or use speaker mode. For extended use, choose wired headphones instead of Bluetooth or wireless devices, and remove them when not in use.

➡️ Interested in learning more about Environmental Health?

Explore UCT’s Master of Public Health specialising in Environmental Health or the Professional Master’s in Chemical Risk Management:

https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/postgraduate-teaching-masters-programmes/professional-masters-chemicals-risk-management

https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/divisions/environmental-health


24/04/2026

Environmental Health Tip 🌱

Reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and cut down on waste when purchasing takeaway food. Bring your own reusable containers and cups when collecting your meal, and leave behind single-use items such as pizza boxes and food wrapping (e.g. burger paper).

Many of these packaging materials are treated with PFAS (“forever chemicals”) to resist grease and moisture. PFAS are persistent in the environment and have been linked to adverse long-term health effects, which has led to increasing regulatory restrictions, including bans in the EU. They are commonly found in baking paper, food wrapping, and fast-food packaging.

Choosing reusable alternatives is a simple, practical step to reduce both environmental impact and potential chemical exposure. ♻️

➡️ Interested in learning more about Environmental Health?
Explore UCT’s Master of Public Health specialising in Environmental Health or the Professional Master’s in Chemical Risk Management:

https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/postgraduate-teaching-masters-programmes/professional-masters-chemicals-risk-management
https://health.uct.ac.za/school-public-health/divisions/environmental-health


Address

Anzio Road, Observatory
Cape Town
7925

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UCT Division of Environmental Health posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share