The public health medical officers advise local authorities on the health-related impacts of the activities of particularly polluting enterprises and have the authority to appeal against certain rulings. Advice on how to protect people's health is especially provided in cases where more complicated conditions exist and one cannot simply refer to existing guidance.
Other environmental authorities present rulings and draft environmental approvals to the public health medical officer for review. The public health medical officers look at the content of toxic substances in smoke and exhaust from ventilation systems, review noise and odour levels and ensure that limits are set for sewage discharge.
The public health medical officers also review whether environmental approvals are in compliance with current guidelines and established standards in so far as conditions of relevance to health are concerned.