Local Environmental Services

On the main page of the San Mateo County Health Department, there is a section on preventing lead poisoning. The page gives a few steps parents can take to protect their children against and address lead poisoning. These include having your child or you (if you're pregnant) tested for lead. In the event that your child has an alarming level of lead in his or her blood, the San Mateo County Health Department will work alongside the family to ascertain that the home is made safe and children are protected from lead poisoning. The page also provides several resources on lead testing, how to file a complaint, safe house remodeling, and lead-safe toys. These resources have both English and Spanish versions.

The San Mateo Health Department also has an Environmental Health Services page. It includes a blog that shares the latest news and information from the Environmental Health Services division. The programs under the Environmental Health Services division are the following:

  • Body Art, Massage Establishments, and Public Pools
  • Food Program
  • Hazardous Materials (Certified Unified Program Agency)
  • Household Hazardous Waste
  • Housing
  • Medical and Solid Waste
  • Pollution Prevention
  • Water Protection and Land Use
What caught my attention was the section provided for body art, massage establishments, and public pools. In passing, one wouldn't really see body art or massages as environmental health concerns. Upon reading the entries on both, it makes sense. There is a Safe Body Art Law and training courses on Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Control are given. There is a Massage Ordinance given by the San Mateo County and recognizes that while massage therapy can provide beneficial health and therapeutic services, it can be linked to illegal activities and the community's safety may suffer. Public pools are inspected twice a year by Environmental Health staff to ensure that they are safe for the community to use. Many resources are provided to help places with public swimming pools maintain a safe environment for those who frequently use them. This specific part of the Environmental Health Services division shows that there are places that have major public and environmental health implications that are overlooked by ordinary citizens.


Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 16, 2018 at 10:35 PM

    I think it's awesome that body art and massages were mentioned as environmental health concerns. I would have never considered either of these as concerns either. I agree that massages can be linked to illegal activity which is concerning. Just today, I was reading about a huge thing going on with Massage Envy. Many people report being sexually assaulted while receiving massages. Because of this, I can see how it can affect the community's safety.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 5, 2018 at 6:23 PM

    That is such a scary thought! But I totally understand how body art, massage establishments and public pools could pose a risk to public health. I think the coolest thing about our field is finding different avenues in which to look at public health. Literally everything affects public health.

    ReplyDelete

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