Environmental Health

“In its broadest sense, environmental health comprises those aspects of human health, disease, and injury that are determined or influenced by factors in the environment. This includes not only the study of the direct pathological effects of various chemical, physical, and biological agents, but also the effects on health of the broad physical and social environment, which includes housing, urban development, land-use and transportation, industry, and agriculture.” - Healthy People 2010, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Environmental Public Health (EPH) is a department within the Asotin County Health District that is focused on programs that protect the public from chronic and short-term health issues that may result in illness from ingesting contaminated food, water, and air.  We also manage risks associated with injury to health from improper or unsafe liquid and solid waste disposal, chemical exposures, as well as certain animal, insect and pest-related disease issues.

EPH is a field that responds to changes in our surroundings.  Our goal is to support a healthy environment for the residents of Asotin County through education, permitting and prosecution when necessary.

You can request EPH services via e-mail by using our online SERVICE REQUEST FORM or by calling us directly at (509) 758-3344. If you would like to e-mail the Environment Health Director, Juan Caballero, R.S., please send your questions to jcaballero@ac-hd.org

Please click on the following links for more information on our individual programs:

Food Safety

The EPH Food Safety Program protects Public Health by working with local restaurants, grocery stores, and other permanent PUBLIC FOOD SERVICE and TEMPORARY FOOD SERVICE establishments in our community to reduce and prevent the number of FOODBORNE ILLNESS COMPLAINTS. In addition to FOOD WORKER CARD education and food establishment inspections, the Food Safety Program provides many other services, including investigation of complaints and illnesses associated with food establishments, plan review/pre-occupancy inspections of new or remodeled food establishments, and food safety consultations for future and currently permitted establishments. We also provide assistance to local residents with FOODBORNE SAFETY AT HOME.

 

Land Use and Development

• The EPH Land Use and Development program focuses on assisting in the development of land or SUBDIVISIONS for businesses, individuals and other interested parties, on properties in Asotin County that are dependent on ONSITE SEWAGE SYSTEMS and/or private and public DRINKING WATER wells.

• We permit and inspect certain SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE facilities, which includes the Asotin County Regional Landfill, and address complaints of mishandling or disposal of solid waste materials of Asotin County residents and commercial businesses.

• Our EPH Recreational Water Program permits and inspects public SWIMMING POOLS and SPAS, which includes the Asotin County Family Aquatic Center and other commercial facilities, such as hotels, motels and apartments.

Communicable Disease and Other EPH Issues

• In dealing with random communicable disease issues, EPH investigates and tracks outbreaks and other cases of communicable diseases in our community.  This includes foodborne illness outbreaks, as well as rabies, West Nile virus and other vector borne diseases that are transferred from animals or insects to people.

• EPH assists in posting notice to homes and businesses that are found by law enforcement to have been used in the manufacture of meth.  We place signage at the site identifying them as unfit for use and occupation until we have approved a method of cleanup and approved them for reuse.