1
WGU D618 TASK 1 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | LATEST UPDATE WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
D618 – Environmental Health
Task 1: Risk Identification Report
, 2
A1: Purpose Overview
This report intends to conduct an environmental risk assessment of Croatia, particularly
regarding air pollution and water contamination. As Croatia works towards becoming a full
member of the European Union and adopting its policies, it is important to determine where
environmental quality meets human health. This report examines the impacts of existing ecological
stressors on the Croatian population, as well as providing scientific solutions to combat such risks.
Although Croatia has seen great success in mitigating the impact of industrial emissions, many
problems still exist, including particulates still being a danger to cities (Spasić, 2026). During
Croatia's shift toward a circular economy, water pollution becomes an increasing problem not only
for people’s well-being but also for the tourism industry (SameerTasaki, 2022). High levels of air
pollution correlate with increased incidences of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases among the
Croatian people, a trend documented in the latest regional health assessments (European
Environment Agency, 2026). The purpose of this report is to protect people’s health by promoting
better infrastructure and following the European Green Deal guidelines (European Environment
Agency, 2025).
A2: Country’s Influence of Environmental Health
The economic system, healthcare system, and political process in Croatia make up a
dynamic situation that poses both obstacles and opportunities for environmental health outcomes.
As part of the European Union, the country must follow stringent regulations that govern its
environmental policy.
Economic Influence
The Croatian economy is highly dependent on services sector, especially tourism, which
contributes around 20% to its GDP. This makes it necessary that the environment be of very high
quality, especially in terms of water quality along the coast and the air quality. However, the same
factor that makes the country economically strong causes an increase in waste and water needs
seasonally. Although the state managed to decrease SO2 emissions by 98%, and NOx emissions by
52% thanks to the modernization of industry, the financial cost of transitioning the last two sectors
is rather expensive (Spasic, 2026). According to the OECD (2026), despite the GDP increase seen
in Croatia, the investment gap in urban sewage systems in Croatia, which costs approximately
1.2% of the national GDP per year, prevents the mitigation of any water contamination dangers in
both industrial and rural regions.
WGU D618 TASK 1 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | LATEST UPDATE WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
D618 – Environmental Health
Task 1: Risk Identification Report
, 2
A1: Purpose Overview
This report intends to conduct an environmental risk assessment of Croatia, particularly
regarding air pollution and water contamination. As Croatia works towards becoming a full
member of the European Union and adopting its policies, it is important to determine where
environmental quality meets human health. This report examines the impacts of existing ecological
stressors on the Croatian population, as well as providing scientific solutions to combat such risks.
Although Croatia has seen great success in mitigating the impact of industrial emissions, many
problems still exist, including particulates still being a danger to cities (Spasić, 2026). During
Croatia's shift toward a circular economy, water pollution becomes an increasing problem not only
for people’s well-being but also for the tourism industry (SameerTasaki, 2022). High levels of air
pollution correlate with increased incidences of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases among the
Croatian people, a trend documented in the latest regional health assessments (European
Environment Agency, 2026). The purpose of this report is to protect people’s health by promoting
better infrastructure and following the European Green Deal guidelines (European Environment
Agency, 2025).
A2: Country’s Influence of Environmental Health
The economic system, healthcare system, and political process in Croatia make up a
dynamic situation that poses both obstacles and opportunities for environmental health outcomes.
As part of the European Union, the country must follow stringent regulations that govern its
environmental policy.
Economic Influence
The Croatian economy is highly dependent on services sector, especially tourism, which
contributes around 20% to its GDP. This makes it necessary that the environment be of very high
quality, especially in terms of water quality along the coast and the air quality. However, the same
factor that makes the country economically strong causes an increase in waste and water needs
seasonally. Although the state managed to decrease SO2 emissions by 98%, and NOx emissions by
52% thanks to the modernization of industry, the financial cost of transitioning the last two sectors
is rather expensive (Spasic, 2026). According to the OECD (2026), despite the GDP increase seen
in Croatia, the investment gap in urban sewage systems in Croatia, which costs approximately
1.2% of the national GDP per year, prevents the mitigation of any water contamination dangers in
both industrial and rural regions.
