Finnish Research Program for Environmental Health (SYTTY)

Objectives
The aims of the research programme were

• to generate information for the assessment of connections between the environment and human health,
• to develope procedures, methods and techniques for the promotion of environmental health,
• to create and improve cooperation among the research teams,
• to promote training of researchers and experts in environmental health research and
• to promote and raise the quality of the research on environment health in Finland.

The importance of a multidisciplinary approach was emphasized. The reaserch programme encompassed both the direct impacts of chemicals, radiation, particles and certain biological factors, and the indirect impacts of the physical, mental and social environment on health and well-being.

Themes
The research programme emphasized in particular the themes stated below. Also other areas within the definition of environmental health were financed.

• Health impacts of indoor air, especially the impacts of mouldy houses,
• health risks of environmental and occupational chemicals,
• exposure through food and drinking water, and their health risks,
• health impacts of fine particles in urban air and
• social aspects of environmental health.

Funding
The total budget of SYTTY was FIM 48 million (EUR 8,1 million). The Academy of Finland allocated FIM 30 million to the programme (EUR 5 million), Tekes FIM 13 million (EUR 2,2 million), The Finnish Work Environment Fund, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Finland's environmental administration jointly by FIM 5 million (EUR 0,84 million).

Duration
1998-2001

Evaluation
14/02 Environmental Health.pdf

Coordination
This research program was coordinated by program manager Jouko Tuomisto, KTL.

More information
Programme homepages: http://www.ktl.fi/sytty/