Environmental Health

Our Role

The Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health plays a critical role in disease prevention. Safe drinking water, pollution, proper sewage disposal, foodborne illness outbreaks, childhood lead poisoning, hazardous materials spills and solid /hazardous waste management can present challenges to our communities.

Goal

The goal of Environmental Health is to protect the health, safety and well-being of the public, and to preserve and improve the quality of the environment.

Environmental Health Programs

Brief History


Early in the 20th century, infections associated with overcrowding, poor housing and contaminated water resulted in transmission of tuberculosis, diphtheria, typhoid fever, and dysentery.

Improvements in housing, public water supplies - including chlorination and filtration, and waste-disposal systems have resulted in great progress in disease control. While the impact of these diseases has been reduced, the need for prevention remains as strong as ever.
Historic Image