Health Officer Orientation Environmental Health August 13 th and 14 th, 2007 Chuck Warzecha – BEOH

Environmental Health Things or conditions outside your body that can affect your health. Things or conditions outside your body that can affect your health. Part of Public Health Part of Public Health

Environmental Health Mitigating Human Health Hazards Mitigating Human Health Hazards Preventing Human Health Hazards Preventing Human Health Hazards Promoting Safe and Healthy Environments Promoting Safe and Healthy Environments

Environmental Health Issues Arsenic Arsenic Radon Radon Rabies Rabies Hg Hg Bed Bugs Bed Bugs The In-laws The In-laws Burying Relatives (in the yard) Burying Relatives (in the yard) Smoke Landsprea ding Drug Labs Neighbors Mold Burn Barrels Trash houses Pesticides Asbestos PCBs PCBs Rabies Rabies Tires Tires Tornado cleanup Tornado cleanup Outdoor wood boilers Outdoor wood boilers Paperwork Paperwork E. coli E. coli Flooding Flooding CO CO Garbage Garbage Animal issues Animal issues Hoarding Hoarding Manure Manure Tire Fires Tire Fires Blastomyco sis Blastomyco sis Odors Odors Bats Bats Beaches Beaches Dust Dust Spills Spills Nitrate Nitrate

Definitions Human Health Hazards – (2) “Human health hazard” means a substance, activity or condition that is known to have the potential to cause acute or chronic illness or death if exposure to the substance, activity or condition is not abated. Human Health Hazards – (2) “Human health hazard” means a substance, activity or condition that is known to have the potential to cause acute or chronic illness or death if exposure to the substance, activity or condition is not abated.

Proposed Modifications (2) “Human health hazard” means a substance, activity or condition that is known to have the potential to cause acute or chronic illness, to endanger life, to generate or spread infectious diseases, or otherwise injuriously to affect the health of the public (2) “Human health hazard” means a substance, activity or condition that is known to have the potential to cause acute or chronic illness, to endanger life, to generate or spread infectious diseases, or otherwise injuriously to affect the health of the public.

Other Terms Urgent, Imminent, etc. Urgent, Imminent, etc. Public Nuisance Public Nuisance Private Nuisance Private Nuisance Sensitive Populations Sensitive Populations

Structure for HHHs Chapter 254 – Environmental Health Statute Chapter 254 – Environmental Health Statute Local HHH Ordinances Local HHH Ordinances Policies and Procedures Manuals Policies and Procedures Manuals Many other Federal, State, and Local Authorities Many other Federal, State, and Local Authorities

Essential Environmental Health Services Assessment Assessment 1. Monitor environmental and health status to identify community environmental health problems 2. Diagnose and investigate environmental health problems and health hazards in the community

Essential Environmental Health Services Policy Development Policy Development 3. Inform, educate and empower people about environmental health issues 4. Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve environmental health problems 5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community environmental health efforts

Essential Environmental Health Services Assurance Assurance 6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety 7. Link people to needed environmental health services and assure the provision of environmental health services when otherwise unavailable

Essential Environmental Health Services Assurance - Continued Assurance - Continued 8. Assure a competent environmental health workforce 9. Evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility and quality of personal and population-based environmental health services 10. Conduct research for new insights and innovative solutions to environmental health problems and issues

Who’s responsibility Health officer is responsible for addressing HHHs Health officer is responsible for addressing HHHs But many others also have that responsibility depending upon the issue But many others also have that responsibility depending upon the issue The question is better rephrased as “Who is the appropriate party to respond?” The question is better rephrased as “Who is the appropriate party to respond?” In cases where another program has more specific authority, they should respond. In cases where another program has more specific authority, they should respond. Public water supply – DNR, failing septic – depends on agent status, etc. Public water supply – DNR, failing septic – depends on agent status, etc.

What must be handled by an EH Professional? Ideally all Human Health Hazards would be addressed by an Environmental Health Professional Ideally all Human Health Hazards would be addressed by an Environmental Health Professional The reality is that we don’t have sufficient EH workforce in each local health department The reality is that we don’t have sufficient EH workforce in each local health department Then What? Then What?

Suggested Short-term Approach Cope as best you can on simple issues with existing staff (keep track of these activities and the time they take). Cope as best you can on simple issues with existing staff (keep track of these activities and the time they take). Ask for advice and assistance from Ask for advice and assistance from DPH Regional Office DPH Regional Office BEOH in Madison BEOH in Madison Neighboring counties Neighboring counties Other agencies Other agencies

Longer-term Approach Work to develop EH capacity Work to develop EH capacity Consider agent programs (DHFS,DATCP,DNR, Commerce) Consider agent programs (DHFS,DATCP,DNR, Commerce) Develop consortia Develop consortia Talk with neighboring jurisdictions about mutual aid options for extreme situations Talk with neighboring jurisdictions about mutual aid options for extreme situations Other ideas? Other ideas? DPH is also looking at other options DPH is also looking at other options

Local Priorities What do you need to address? What do you need to address? What can you expect others to address? What can you expect others to address? What can you expect the caller to address themselves? What can you expect the caller to address themselves? What should you document and file? What should you document and file?

Examples to Consider

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