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The Indian
River County's Environmental Health Services Division monitors major systems
of community infrastructure that protect the public from disease and help
maintain health. The scientific foundation of overall environmental health
for the community is extensive and continued surveillance, with indicator
testing, along with immediate investigation and mitigation of environmental
conditions where disease transfer is possible or suspected.
What Environmental Health Services does for you:
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Provide a
public health approach to the prevention and control of environmental
contaminants and disease.
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Monitor
programs and conduct investigations under the authority of county, state
and federal laws.
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Limit the
spread of disease through diverse environmental health programs.
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Provide
protection from potential illness and injuries through the regulation of
environmental factors that may threaten the public's health.
If you have questions about any of the programs, or need
information about environmental health issues, please contact the
Environmental Health Services office at (772) 794-7440. Our operating
hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We do close
one Friday afternoon per month for staff training.
Biomedical Waste/Body Piercing
Drinking Water
Quality
Emergency
Response:
Environmental Hazards:
Environmental
Safe Drinking Water Laboratory
Epidemiology
Food Hygiene
Group
Facilities
Hazardous and
Toxic Waste
Migrant Labor
Camps
Mobile Homes
and RV Parks
Occupational
and Industrial Health
Public Swimming
Pools and Bathing Facilities
Rabies Control
School
Inspections
Sewage Disposal
Surface Water
Pollution
Tanning:
Biomedical Waste
and Body Piercing: All biomedical wastes in healthcare facilities are
regulated. Complaints about disposal of wastes are investigated. Body
piercing salons are regulated and inspected routinely.
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Drinking Water Quality:
Certain private and public water supplies are routinely tested for
disease causing bacteria, viruses, chemicals, pesticides, and other harmful
contaminants. Arrangements can be made for household water testing when
requested. New well construction is monitored and permits are issued.
Emergency Response: This
department is part of a community emergency response team to be on-site
whenever environmental spills and accidents may occur. Our staff may also be
called upon whenever a special drug, food or drink recall may be issued or
whenever there is a consumer product safety alert.
Environmental Hazards:
All environmental complaints, including those related to solid and liquid
wastes, drinking water, public housing, vermin control, air pollution, and
other areas, are investigated.
Environmental Safe
Drinking Water Laboratory: Biological analysis of drinking
water and surface water pollutants is conducted on-site. Basic chemical
analysis is also performed.
Epidemiology: Incidents of illness such
as outbreaks of communicable diseases, food or waterborne disease, indoor
air contamination, or other unusual clusters of health problems are
investigated in coordination with medical and nursing departments.
Statistical trends are analyzed to uncover problems and initiate prevention
and control measures.
Food Hygiene: This department
routinely inspects only those food establishments not regulated by the
Department of Business and Professional Regulations and/or Department of
Agriculture. These facilities include private clubs, lounges, fraternal
organizations, and movie theaters among others.
Group Care Facilities: Nursing homes,
foster homes, adult living facilities, daycare centers, hospitals, detention
and other correctional facilities all must meet state standards to ensure a
safe and healthful condition. Routine and special environmental inspections
are made at the request of the state licensing agency.
Hazardous and Toxic Waste:
Businesses that handle hazardous and toxic waste are surveyed. Complaints
about disposal of waste are investigated. Storage pollution tanks, such as
those at gas stations, industrial, and agricultural facilities, are
regulated and monitored.
Migrant Labor CampsIn addition
to inspection of the waste disposal system, water supply, and fire
protection, migrant labor camps are also inspected for adequate field
sanitation.
Mobile Homes and RV Parks:
Parks are periodically inspected to determine adequacy of waste disposal
systems, water supply, and fire protection.
Occupational and Industrial
Health: Initial workplace site surveys may be undertaken to
determine indoor air quality, asbestos problems, radon levels or other
health risks in the environment and help assure occupational safety.
Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Facilities:
These facilities are licensed and
inspected on a routine basis to assure freedom from harmful contaminants.
Rabies Control:
Bites from high?risk wild animals, such as raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes
are investigated. Animals that have bitten humans are sacrificed
when possible and remains are sent for laboratory analysis to determine
possible transmission of rabies to humans.
School Inspections: Public and
private schools are routinely inspected for fire, sanitation, and safety to
ensure a healthful environment.
Sewage Disposal:
Sewage systems are
monitored to assure proper disposal of human waste. Individual onsite sewage
disposal systems are regulated with permits for new construction and repair.
Certain public waste disposal facilities are routinely inspected. Complaints
of improper sewage disposal are investigated and abatement procedures
undertaken. Connections to sanitary sewer systems are promoted.
Surface Water Pollution: The
water quality of the Indian River Lagoon and the Sebastian River is
monitored at several sites for levels of contaminants and nutrients.
Tanning Facilities:
These facilities are licensed and
inspected on a routine basis to ensure the health and safety of the patrons.
For more
information on Environmental Health Services, please call
(772) 794-7440.
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