Article 56 of our Constitution states: “Everyone has the right to live in a healthy and balanced environment. It is the duty of the State and citizens to improve the environment, protect environmental health, and prevent environmental pollution. The State shall ensure that everyone lives their life in physical and mental health; it shall regulate the planning and provision of health services under a single authority in order to increase efficiency and productivity in human and material resources and to achieve cooperation.

It is evident that the legislator has unequivocally obligated all segments of society to take responsibility for environmental health, while granting the state the authority to oversee it. In this regard, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, and civil society organizations must work diligently. Municipalities should also plan and implement urban development plans and special projects to eliminate the elements causing environmental pollution. The Ministry of National Education and universities should conduct studies on the responsibilities of individuals to develop environmental awareness from childhood, and raise awareness. Therefore, it is essential that the environmental process is not solely owned by one party and that solutions are reached through a multidisciplinary approach.

For the first time in our history, the great Ottoman ruler, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, was the first to address environmental health measures in writing as part of preventive healthcare services. In a section of his will concerning environmental protection and health, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror states: “I, the humble and submissive Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror of Istanbul… Thus, with the income derived from this property of mine, I have appointed two men to each street of Istanbul. These men, each carrying a container of lime powder and charcoal ash, shall patrol these streets at certain times of the day. They shall sprinkle this powder on the spit of those who spit in these streets, and they shall receive 20 akçe each.” In this way, he appointed small health officers (health officials) to prevent potential epidemics in Istanbul.

In Türkiye, official environmental health education began in 1962 at the Ankara Yenişehir Health College, under the Law on the Socialization of Health, which was adopted in 1960. This was further accelerated in 1972 with the simultaneous opening of two boarding Environmental Health Colleges in Ankara Keçiören and Diyarbakır, in accordance with a World Bank project. The Diyarbakır Environmental Health College closed in 1990, the Ankara Keçiören College in 1996, and the later-opened İzmir Torbalı College in 2002, after which day students were trained instead of boarding students. Meanwhile, in 1988, high school graduates were admitted to health vocational high schools, completing their education and addressing the shortage in this field. This played an effective role in preventing many epidemics during that period.

Due to evolving circumstances, some universities have established departments in their vocational schools under the names of Environment, Environmental Health, Environmental Pollution, and Environmental Protection, and have begun graduating students from these departments. Many universities still admit students to these departments, graduate students, and face difficulties in finding employment. By 2023, several professional associations representing the profession had been established. Our association's foundations are based on the Environmental Health Professionals Platform, established in September 2014.

From that date onwards, the Platform Administrators, who operate through social media, applied to the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Civil Society Relations on February 3, 2023.

 Following the approval of the bylaws, the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting was held on May 7, 2023, and the current Board of Directors, chaired by İbrahim GÖRÜNME, was elected for a 3-year term.

As of March 26, 2026, the association continues its activities with a General Headquarters in Ankara and 33 Provincial Presidents.

 At the 2nd Ordinary General Assembly held on April 18, 2026, İbrahim GÖRÜNME was re-elected as the General President.