Since 1990 directions of various processes in the field of environmental and occupational health and their influence on the state of health of the population have been discussed at annual symposia organised by the Foundation. In this paper, the authors try to present problems arising from the transformation into the market economy and inherited from the previous regime, discussed during the symposium held in 1993. They also emphasise the significance of appropriate legal regulations, better understanding of the environmental and occupational health, the role of the society in the decision-making process and training of both doctors and workers how to protect health and environment.