What does the term ‘malfeasance’ refer to in the context of environmental health?

Malfeasance refers to the performance of a legal act in a harmful manner, particularly when this act is executed by a public official or someone in a position of authority. In the context of environmental health, this can involve situations where officials or agencies are responsible for implementing regulations or policies but choose to do so in a way that causes harm to individuals or the environment, either intentionally or with disregard for the consequences.

For example, if a public health official fails to properly enforce environmental regulations that lead to pollution, this can be considered malfeasance. The key aspect of malfeasance is the presence of a legal right to act combined with the execution of that act in an improper, harmful way. Understanding this term is essential as it highlights issues of accountability and ethical behavior in environmental health management.