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Human Health
The health of the residents of any community is directly related to the environmental health of that community. Individual, family, and environmental health must be considered and maintained.
Environmental Health
Pesticides, Herbicides, Insecticides
Lead Exposure
Radon Exposure
Indoor Air Quality
Air Quality
Household Hazardous Wastes
Ozone
Inventorying and Information Gathering
The resources listed below focus on individual and family health. These are sources that will provide information on and assistance with health related issues.
Available Information
- Local Public Health Department
- Local Health Based Organizations
- Schools
- Doctors' Office, Clinics
- Nutrition Clinics
- Fitness Centers
Information Sources 
- The National Institute of Health
- The National Safety Council
- The National Association of County and City Health Officials
- The Environmental Health Center
- EXTOXNET - The EXtension TOXicology NETwork
- Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
- Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Where You Live
- Environmental Health Perspectives
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- National Toxicology Program
Environmental Health
Environmental Health includes becoming aware of environmental risks and factors within your community and learning how to reduce your personal and your family's exposure to these risks. Factors that may pose a risk to the environmental health of your community are lead, radon, indoor air quality, air quality, household hazardous wastes and ozone depletion. Identifying and becoming knowledgeable about these factors will help to protect your community. One beneficial source of information can be found at the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory-Community Right to Know Page. Action Plans for these risk factors are discussed in our Let's Go Section.
Available Information
- Local Environmental Councils
- Cooperative Extension Organizations
- Community Libraries
- Universities and other academic institutions
- State and Local Environmental Agencies
- State, County and Local Health Agencies
- Non-governmental Environmental Organizations
Information Sources
- Environmental Protection Agency Information Sources and Publications
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Where You Live
Pesticides, Herbicides, Insecticides
An inventory of your community’s use of pesticides, herbicides and insecticides may be challenging to achieve. However, communities are looking to less toxic, alternative ways to control pest and ‘green’ operations in their public, commercial and residential properties and buildings. By reducing the need for pesticides, herbicides and insecticides through natural landscaping/native vegetation for example, communities will reduce air and water pollution and reduce human exposure to these chemicals. Integrated pest management is an important strategy that will reduce the need for and use of pesticides in order to protect the environment and human health.
By working collaboratively with local/county government, schools, recreation facilities (golf courses, playing fields, public/private parks), local farmers, homeowners and businesses, an increased awareness of the practices, volume and disposal of these chemicals can lead to strategies that will increase worker/personal safety, reduce the use, volume and extent of toxic chemicals.
Available Information
- Local Environmental Councils
- State Cooperative Extension Organizations
- Community Libraries
- Universities and other academic institutions
- State and Local Environmental Agencies
- State, County and Local Health Agencies
- Non-governmental Environmental Organizations
Information Sources
- Environmental Protection Agency Information Sources and Publications
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Where You Live
- Beneficial Landscaping
- Integrated Pest Management
- Integrated Pest Management for Schools
- National Coalition against the Misuse of Pesticides
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
- Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
- Sustainable Landscaping
Lead Exposure
Available Information
- Community Pediatricians
- Local Housing Department
- County Department of Water
- Real Estate Agencies
- Lead Inspection Groups
Information Sources
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Community Connections
- EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Lead Page
- Other Resources
Radon Exposure
Available Information
- Radon Surveys
- Housing Departments
- Community Health Departments
Information Sources
Indoor Air Quality
Available Information
- Indoor Air Quality Publications
- Air Quality associations
Information Sources
- IAQ Hotlines
- EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Indoor Air Program
- State and Regional Indoor Air Quality Contacts
Air Quality
Hazardous Air Pollutants (Air Toxics)
Available Information
- Databases
- State Monitoring Programs
- National Air Toxics Assessment
Information Sources
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Toxic Air Pollutants
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mobile Source Air Toxics
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Toxics Release Inventory
Ozone
Available Information
- Television, weather reports
- Sun exposure reports
- Educational classes on skin care and outdoor recreation
Information Sources
- UV index report
- AirNow
- American Cancer
Society
- AirNow Health Booklet
- Ozone Health Effects
Household Hazardous Wastes
Available Information
- Solid Waste Department
- State Agencies
Information Sources
- RCRA Hotline- 800-424-9346
- State Department of Hazardous Wastes
- County Planning Department
- HHW Management: [PDF, 6 pp., 170KB] A Manual for One-Day Community Collection Programs
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