Environmental Public Health - Administration

Public Health Issues of Concern - This link will take you to our Public Health Updates webpage for more information on topics such as:

• Water quality / swimming data
• Food safety
• Your health
• Environmental

Fill out environmental health program forms on your computer

Find the answer you are looking for on our frequently asked questions page

View our Environmental Health Annual Report for 2009 (13 mb PDF)

Download our Environmental Health Annual Report for 2008 (2.36 mb zip file)

Sherwood Medical (Tyco kendall) Groundwater Contamination Information

About Environmental Public Health

Environmental Public Health is a branch of public health and preventative medicine. It is concerned with the prevention of injury and disease by controlling the links between humans and their environment. Environmental public health programs seek to minimize or eliminate risk factors in the human environment when they threaten life and health. The basic implementation of each environmental public health program component includes public education, inspection, investigations, permitting and enforcement of public health laws.  The environmental health professionals of today stem from the original Sanitarians who created the water and sewer systems of Roman times. Today they are the inspectors who monitor and regulate a wide range of programs that reflect people's better understanding of the natural and man-made environmental conditions.  Environmental Public Health programs are essential to public health. They work to achieve a safe and healthy environment for the community. Our authority stems from the Legislature through Chapter 381, Florida Statutes.

Environmental Health Specialists utilize their education and training in the natural, physical, and environmental sciences to promote public health through outreach and the control of environmental factors. We are responsible for conducting inspections, issuing permits and licenses, enforcing statutes and codes, and for responding to questions regarding environmental concerns. The scientific foundation of overall environmental public 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.  Environmental Health Specialists monitor major systems of community infrastructure, such as drinking water systems, that protect the public from disease and help maintain health.

Environmental Public Health programs are an essential part of Florida’s public health system.  These services are aimed at preventing or reducing health risks that may occur in your daily surroundings.  Detecting and correcting environmental dangers that can cause disease or injury is the job of Environmental Health Specialists. They are an important part of a public health team.  You may not be aware of the wide range of services provided by these specialists through Environmental Health Services.  Almost every day you and your family receive benefits directly or indirectly from work performed by Environmental Health Professionals.  Environmental Health Specialists monitor major systems of community infrastructure that protect the public from disease and help maintain health.

The Florida Environmental Public Health Tracking Program

In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Florida Environmental Public Health Tracking Program (EPHT) is pleased to announce the launch of its online protal. Please visit the site at www.cdc.gov/ephtracking/. The EPHT Web portal is a dynamic Web site that provides for the first time, health and environmental data in one easy to find location. The EPHT Web site was developed under a cooperative agreement between the CDC, Florida Department of Health and 16 other funded states/cities.