Professor Andrew Watterson

Scotland’s greatest health, environment and economic threats continue to be climate change and its pollution-related causes. Several effective but often under-used or neglected tools are available to combat the threats. The Lancet’s recent updated global pollution and health report identified why action was needed and highlighted chemical pollutants, and their public health impacts as a major cause for concern. Urgent measures are therefore needed to cut chemical pollution.

PRIOR to Covid, general information and international pandemic guides from WHO, ILO, NGOs and international trade unions were available in Scotland. They highlighted how best to plan and protect the public, and health care and other workers in pandemics.

THE Scottish Covid independent inquiry chair, appointed by the Scottish Government in December 2021, faces a daunting task. She promised the inquiry would be ‘open and transparent’.