Environmental Health
Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviors.
What is Environmental Health?
Environmental health focuses on the aspects of human health and disease and their relation to environmental factors. Several famous cases in this area include Erin Brockovich, Taco Bell e.coli outbreak of 2006, death of nine year old boy swimming in Lake Elsinore in 2008, and the swine flu. Environmental health affects your daily life, and often operates behind the scenes conducting restaurant inspections, swimming pool inspections, food safety training, water quality testing, food permits, and a myriad of other services in an effort to keep you healthy and safe.
What are my responsibilities?
Food Quality
Restaurant inspections are conducted a minimum of twice yearly with a letter grade assigned to the restaurant after the inspection. The restaurant grades are similar to academic grades with an A being the best score and a C being the lowest score. A copy of the inspection report is maintained by Dining Services or the private restaurant manager.
All organizations including faculty, student, or staff who wish to provide food to the public (for free or for sale) must obtain a temporary food permit. Prior to applying for the permit, the member preparing and distributing the food must obtain Food Safety training Food Safety Training. At least one week prior to the event, request a food permit online. Inspectors may visit the event to maintain food safety standards.
Swimming Pools
Swimming pools are to be maintained safe through proper filtration methods, disinfection and disinfectant residue levels, good repair to shell and deck, and adequate lighting and fixtures. Swimming pool inspection reports are maintained by the pool operator.
Water Quality
Water quality tests are performed periodically and upon new construction completion!
For more information
- San Bernardino County Environmental Health
- Riverside County Environmental Health
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (Food Recall Information)
- FDA Food Defense Awareness
- Food Safety Resources UC
- National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF)