Environmental Health:
Environmental health focuses on the health interrelationships between people and their environment, promotes human health and well-being, and fosters a safe and healthful environment. Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviors. It encompasses the assessment and control of those environmental factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments.
Environmental health focuses on the health interrelationships between people and their environment, promotes human health and well-being, and fosters a safe and healthful environment. Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviors. It encompasses the assessment and control of those environmental factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments.
On-Site Sewage &
Land Development
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Food Safety
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Solid Waste Management
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Public Pools and Spas
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Air Quality in Asotin County
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According to wasmoke.blogspot.com, Siberian smoke continues to impact air quality in much of eastern WA, with fires along the BC border, the Chelan Hills fire and other smaller fires also contributing. Although the general public is not likely to be affected when air quality is "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," people with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk. These individuals should consider staying indoors when air quality deteriorates. 
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AIR QUALITY & FACE MASKS: Remember, it is better to stay indoors than to mask.
The right face mask can only provide some protection for some people for a limited time.
Respirator masks labeled N95 or N100 provide some protection – they filter out fine particles, but not hazardous gases (such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and acrolein). This type of mask can be found at many hardware and home repair stores and pharmacies. If you decide to keep a mask on hand, read these tips:
- Choose an N95 or N100 mask that has two straps that go around your head. Don’t choose a one-strap paper dust mask or a surgical mask that hooks around your ears – these don’t protect you against the fine particles in smoke.
- Choose a size that will fit over your nose and under your chin. It should seal tightly to your face. These masks don’t come in sizes that fit young children.
- Don’t use bandanas or towels (wet or dry) or tissue held over the mouth and nose. These may relieve dryness but they won’t protect your lungs from wildfire smoke.
- Anyone with lung or heart disease, or who is chronically ill, should check with their medical provider before using any mask. Using respirator masks can make it harder to breathe, which may make existing medical conditions worse. The extra effort it takes to breathe through a respirator mask can make it uncomfortable to use them for very long. These masks should be used mostly by people who have to go outdoors.
- Respirator masks shouldn't be used on young children – they don’t seal well enough to provide protection. They also don’t seal well on people with beards
The right face mask can only provide some protection for some people for a limited time.
Respirator masks labeled N95 or N100 provide some protection – they filter out fine particles, but not hazardous gases (such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and acrolein). This type of mask can be found at many hardware and home repair stores and pharmacies. If you decide to keep a mask on hand, read these tips:
- Choose an N95 or N100 mask that has two straps that go around your head. Don’t choose a one-strap paper dust mask or a surgical mask that hooks around your ears – these don’t protect you against the fine particles in smoke.
- Choose a size that will fit over your nose and under your chin. It should seal tightly to your face. These masks don’t come in sizes that fit young children.
- Don’t use bandanas or towels (wet or dry) or tissue held over the mouth and nose. These may relieve dryness but they won’t protect your lungs from wildfire smoke.
- Anyone with lung or heart disease, or who is chronically ill, should check with their medical provider before using any mask. Using respirator masks can make it harder to breathe, which may make existing medical conditions worse. The extra effort it takes to breathe through a respirator mask can make it uncomfortable to use them for very long. These masks should be used mostly by people who have to go outdoors.
- Respirator masks shouldn't be used on young children – they don’t seal well enough to provide protection. They also don’t seal well on people with beards
Mice and Hantavirus
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Renters, Landlords, and Mold
Renters
Mold problems in buildings are a result of water and moisture problems. Renters need to operate the heating and ventilation systems to reduce water condensation. Renters need to notify landlords promptly, in writing, of any water leaks or moisture problems. If there is a water leak or moisture problem, it should be fixed by the landlord. Your local building and code enforcement official may take action if building problems are not addressed - they won't respond to mold complaints, so it's important to stress the source of the water problem.
If you rent your home, you are covered by the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a renter can help you resolve problems. For informational recordings on residential landlord-tenant matters, call the State Attorney General's Office Consumerline at 1-800-692-5082, option 8.
Landlords
Landlords are responsible for maintaining rental units, including fixing building problems such as water leaks and ventilation or heating defects which may lead to moisture problems. Landlords must notify their tenants about the health hazards associated with exposure to indoor mold and ways to control mold growth in their dwelling units. Posting this information in a visible, public location at the dwelling unit property is allowed. The following materials can fulfill the notification requirements:
Mold problems in buildings are a result of water and moisture problems. Renters need to operate the heating and ventilation systems to reduce water condensation. Renters need to notify landlords promptly, in writing, of any water leaks or moisture problems. If there is a water leak or moisture problem, it should be fixed by the landlord. Your local building and code enforcement official may take action if building problems are not addressed - they won't respond to mold complaints, so it's important to stress the source of the water problem.
If you rent your home, you are covered by the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a renter can help you resolve problems. For informational recordings on residential landlord-tenant matters, call the State Attorney General's Office Consumerline at 1-800-692-5082, option 8.
Landlords
Landlords are responsible for maintaining rental units, including fixing building problems such as water leaks and ventilation or heating defects which may lead to moisture problems. Landlords must notify their tenants about the health hazards associated with exposure to indoor mold and ways to control mold growth in their dwelling units. Posting this information in a visible, public location at the dwelling unit property is allowed. The following materials can fulfill the notification requirements:
- Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home, EPA - Order free copies of this guide through the EPA website. Available in English (publication number: 402K02003) or Spanish (402K03008).
- Mold Guidance for Tenants and Landlords, Northwest Clean Air Agency - Understand why mold problems start and who's responsible for fixing the problem.
- Landlord-Tenant, State Attorney General's Office - Tenant help resources, including legal advice.
- Northwest Justice Project - Free legal assistance and representation to low-income people.
- Solid Ground Tenant Services - Housing counseling services, best practices, and frequently asked question about landlord-tenant laws to help tenants understand their rights and responsibilities as a renter.
- Washington Law Help - Housing -Resources on tenant rights and landlord repair and maintenance responsibilities. Materials in multiple languages.
- Housing and Urban Development (HUD) -Federal HUD rental housing contacts.
- Dispute Resolution Centers, Resolution Washington - Use a neutral third-party mediator to resolve conflicts. Mediation is faster, cheaper, and often more effective than going to court.
Other Mold Resources
· Clean Up Safely After a Disaster
· Reentering Your Flooded Home
· Mold – General Resources
· NIOSH Interim Recommendations for the Cleaning and Remediation of Flood-Contaminated HVAC Systems:
A Guide for Building Owners and Managers
· Population-Specific Recommendations for Protection From Exposure to Mold in Flooded Buildings[487 KB, 2 Pages]
· A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home[1.4 MB, 20 Pages] Resource from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) that includes Mold Cleanup Guidelines
· Clean Up Safely After a Disaster
· Reentering Your Flooded Home
· Mold – General Resources
· NIOSH Interim Recommendations for the Cleaning and Remediation of Flood-Contaminated HVAC Systems:
A Guide for Building Owners and Managers
· Population-Specific Recommendations for Protection From Exposure to Mold in Flooded Buildings[487 KB, 2 Pages]
· A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home[1.4 MB, 20 Pages] Resource from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) that includes Mold Cleanup Guidelines