EPA's Response Roles - Public Health and Medical Services

ESF #8 provides a mechanism for coordinated federal government assistance to supplement state, local, and tribal resources in response to public health and medical care needs (including veterinary and/or animal issues when appropriate) in the face of a potential or actual public health and medical emergency.
EPA will provide technical advice and environmental information for the assessment of the health/medical aspects of situations involving hazardous materials, including technical and policy advice in drinking water supply matters.
EPA is also prepared to provide the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with technical assistance on the use of disinfectants against human flu viruses, as appropriate. EPA's office of Pesticide Programs has registered (licensed) the sale and use of numerous disinfectant products for use against human influenza A virus in a variety of settings, including hospitals, homes, and office buildings. EPA believes these products may be effective against future strains that might cause a human pandemic.
Fact Sheet on Antimicrobial Products to Disinfect Poultry and Other Facilities Against Avian (Bird) Flu

Other EPA support roles: