DOH Logo linking to the DOH Home Page

Division of Environmental Health Office of Environmental Health Assessments
Blue Line
You are here: DOH Home » EH » OEHA » What's New?
Search | Employees
 Site Directory:    

EHA

• What's New in EHA?

• Office of Environmental Health Assessments (EHA)

• Site Assessment Section

• Pesticide Section

Office Wide Information

• Fact Sheets

• Publications

• Staff

• Related Links

Additional Information

• Learn more about the Division of Environmental Health

 

Access Washington Logo Linking to Access Washington Home Page

 

What's New in the Office of Environmental Health Assessments

 

April, 2009

 

April 30, 2009

Yakima River Fish Consumption Advisory Updated Due to Lower DDT Levels

The Department of Health has lifted a fish advisory due to DDT for the Yakima River that's been in place for more than 15 years.  A 2007 Department of Ecology study found that erosion control projects in the Yakima basin helped reduce DDT and its byproducts in multiple fish species.  DOH analyzed the fish tissue data provided by Ecology and concluded the advisory should be lifted. DOH now advises people to limit how much common carp they eat from the lower Yakima River because the Ecology study found elevated PCB levels.  Our fact sheet provides healthy fish eating choices if you do fish the Yakima River.

Questions about the Yakima River Fish Consumption Advisory, contact:

Dave McBride at 360.236.3176 or email: Dave.McBride@doh.wa.gov or

Liz Carr at 360.236.3191 or email Liz.Carr@doh.wa.gov or

toll free at 1.877.485.7316 or local at 360.236.3184

 

April 1, 2009

Oakland Bay Health Consultation
The Department of Health is evaluating the public health implications of dioxin levels found in the Department of Ecology's Oakland Bay sediment data.  This evaluation will be published as a health consultation.

Based on what we know about dioxin in shellfish around Puget Sound and nationally, there's no need for people to stop harvesting and eating shellfish in the area.  The Department is working with Ecology to carry out a shellfish meat sampling plan to provide certainty about health conclusions.  Once this data is available, an additional health consultation will be developed. 

The Department of Health is working closely with:

Questions about the Oakland Bay evaluation, contact:

Wayne Clifford at wayne.clifford@doh.wa.gov or

toll free at 1.877.485.7316 or local at 360.236.3181
 

 

January, 2009

Revised Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Web site.

 

What should I know about lead poisoning?

  • Very small amounts of lead can hurt your child.
     

  • Lead poisoning occurs by swallowing or inhaling lead or lead dust.
     

  • Lead dust and chips from paint in older homes and buildings are the biggest source of exposure.
     

  • Most children and adults who have lead poisoning do not look or act sick.
     

  • A blood test is the only way to tell if your child has lead poisoning.

 


Looking for a link that was previously on this page?  Check the archived What's New in EHA?  If you are still unable to locate what you are looking for visit EHAs main page or contact Lorraine Edwards for assistance.

Updated on Thursday, May 21, 2009  by Lorraine Edwards.  
  Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement by the Washington State Department of Health.
 
 
 

DOH Home | Access Washington | Privacy Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright Information

Environmental Health Assessments

PO Box 47846

Olympia, WA 98504-7846

toll free - 1.877.485.7316

Directions

 

Send inquiries about DOH and its programs to the Health Consumer Assistance Office.

Comments or questions regarding this Web site? Send email to the Office Web Coordinator.