Public Health Assessments (PHAs)
A Public Health Assessment
(pdf, 740 kb) is a comprehensive report
which reviews chemicals found in environmental testing of air, soil and water in
samples taken at known hazardous waste sites. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) or the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gather these samples.
A PHA also looks to see if there is a way for the chemicals to reach people (this
is called an exposure pathway). These reports determine if a chemical (or chemicals) at a site poses a health risk or not.
The PHA estimates whether a health threat exists for people living near a site. The Florida DOH also estimates if past exposures are likely to affect
their health. We assess if people are apt to become sick now or in the future from chemicals at
a site. The Florida DOH also recommends steps cleanup agencies need to take to protect public health
now and in the future.
Health Consultations (HCs)
The Health Consultation is similar to a PHA, but has a more narrow focus. While the PHA looks at an entire site and many issues, the HC usually answers a single question or looks at just one issue. For example,
past HCs have reviewed whether chemicals from a site are washing off into storm water and onto a nearby schoolyard.
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