Rapid Assessment and Monitoring of Pollution (RAMP)
A diverse range of human activities have an
impact on the environment, which in turn may affect human health
and well-being. The World Health Organisation estimates that a
quarter of global human diseases and deaths are now caused by the
environment. Sewage pollution, harmful algal blooms and chemical
pollutants in drinking water and food are only a few examples of
how poor ecosystem health directly damages human health.
Information about ecosystem health allows communities to make
better decisions about ecosystem management, consequently
benefitting and strengthening regional economies and human
health.
Developed in 1993 by PML and its science
partners, the Rapid Assessment and Monitoring of Pollution (RAMP)
approach provides a pragmatic, mobile, community managed,
cost-effective approach for detecting, monitoring and predicting
the impacts of pollution on human health in freshwater, estuarine
and marine ecosystems. RAMP provides training, in-country support
and a toolbox for measuring sewage, oil, agrochemicals, metals and
industrial contaminants. It interacts with existing regional,
national and international health and development programmes to
build capacity in less wealthy countries. RAMP integrates with
existing projects and improves communications to enhance health
diagnoses and business opportunities.
RAMP has grown from a marine assessment tool
to an effective ‘monitoring of aquatic pollution’ approach with
over 14 training programs completed with users from over 32
countries. Previous RAMP initiatives have received support and
funding from the United Nations, European Union, UK Foreign and
Commonwealth Office, UK Department for International Development
and through in-country support.
RAMP Facts
• Focused monitoring programmes meeting
local needs
• Easy to use technology providing
affordable, intelligent, sustainable methods for monitoring
ecosystem health
• Expert training programmes, local and
regional networks and capacity building
• Introduces monitoring through socio-economic
indicators
• Informs people about the health benefits of
ecosystem management
• Empowers communities to make better
decisions about ecosystem management, enhancing regional
economies
• Adds value to existing health and
development programmes