This week we talk to Lucinda Curran from Eco Health Solutions about how she got into the business of assessing environmental health hazards.

She says, "My move to the inner city of Melbourne to practice as a Chinese medicine practitioner was catastrophic for my health."

"What I had previously experienced as mild intolerances to perfumes, car fumes and cigarette smoke soon escalated, and my reactions became debilitating and life threatening. I was determined to do whatever I could to prevent others suffering as I was. I now have a national team, whom I hand-picked and trained to my high standards to conduct Environmental Health Assessment TM."

But it wasn't always a clear path to success. She says, "I think the best advice I have had is to believe in myself.... Embarking on a career (and business) in a relatively new industry was daunting at times. When I started, so few people had heard of anything to do with this field… a few people had heard of “sick building syndrome,” but that was about it. 

"There is a much greater awareness (now) of the ways in which our environment can impact our health – mould-related illnesses, types of EMF (electromagnetic field) being recognised by WHO (World Health Organisation) as being possible human carcinogens, and so on."

To help spread information, Lucinda is active online and offline in reaching out to people who may want more information about environmental health. She runs two meetup groups and also hosts information sessions on assessing environmental health hazards. She says, "I regularly run workshops, offer online events, and also created and hosted the Environmental Sensitivities Symposium." These events are aimed at providing information to the public about Eco Health's services, and also help suggest some strategies and solutions.

Lucinda's next workshop is on Thursday 31st May, and the topic is environmental health in home-based businesses, where she says, "workplace health and safety is often overlooked.". Find out more here.