The Built Environment Section in the Office of Environmental Public Health Sciences is a diverse section that seeks to improve the health of communities through various programs, including the following:
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP)
CLPPP conducts lead surveillance, analysis, case management and case investigations. The CLPPP program processes and analyzes data for thousands of blood lead test results yearly, hundreds of which are elevated. It provides support to Local Health Jurisdictions for case management of children with elevated blood levels to help families cope with having a child or children with elevated levels of lead. CLPPP will also assist in investigating where lead is coming from in a family’s environment to eliminate sources of lead.
Lead in Drinking Water in Schools Program
This is a voluntary program that samples public elementary schools for lead in drinking water. The program provides technical and communications support to schools to act on the test results.
Ambient Air Quality
Our Ambient Air Quality program provides technical expertise on air quality to public health partners and the public in general. This work includes providing health information for air quality issues during wildfires and assessing health impacts from poor air quality in communities.
Climate Change
Our work involves incorporating climate change adaptation into projects, policies and programs. Climate change adaptation is in response to the growing threat of climate change. Adaptation seeks to reduce the risks of the harmful consequences of climate change.
Healthy Communities
Planning for Healthy Communities is focused on planning to improve individual and community health. This work includes health impact assessments and technical assistance services in comprehensive planning, residential, commercial and industrial project development, zoning ordinances, and accessibility and transportation options to improve health and quality of life.
Legionella
Our legionella works involves providing environmental investigations of legionella outbreaks and education about legionella prevention.