News Feature                             For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                     January 15, 2010

Environmental Public Health Week - January 18 to 24, 2010

Environmental Public Health Week, this year January 18 to 24, recognizes the hard work of Environmental Public Health professionals across Canada, and the importance of Environmental Public Health programs to maintain our health and well being.

Marked annually, Environmental Public Health week was established in 2003 by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI). The CIPHI is the national body that manages the certification of Public Health Inspectors and is the only national association that represents Environmental Public Health professionals in Canada.

Environmental Public Health programs are core to ensuring a healthy population and include food safety and hygiene, communicable disease control, safe drinking and recreational water, indoor and outdoor air quality, health hazard and emergency management, community sanitation and planning.

Public Health Inspectors inspect private sewage disposal systems to protect surface and groundwater from contamination. Public Health Inspectors investigate malfunctioning sewage systems and provide information on options for safe sewage disposal. You assume private sewage systems meet the requirements…Public Health Inspectors make sure.

What would you do if you found asbestos in your ceiling or mold in your basement? Who would you call if there were illness in your family due to blastomycosis or carbon monoxide poisoning? Public Health Inspectors investigate, educate and enforce the laws that protect you from these and other health hazards. You assume your environment is free of health hazards…Public Health Inspectors make sure. 

Do you or your family swim at public pools and beaches? Do you enjoy fun on waterslides or relaxing in spas? Public Health Inspectors take the worry out of using these recreational facilities by sampling recreational water at beaches and inspecting public swimming pools. If there is a health risk to swimmers due to high levels of disease-causing organisms such as E-coli, Public Health Inspector will warn the public and close the beach or facility, if necessary. You assume public pools and beaches are safe for bathing…Public Health Inspectors make sure. 

Have you ever had children in day care? Do you know someone who has been in a hospital or nursing home? Public Health Inspectors take the worry out of using these facilities by enforcing the laws that protect your health. Public Health Inspectors are available around the clock to investigate causes of outbreaks of illness caused by E. coli, Norovirus or Legionella and help to ensure such diseases do not spread to others. You assume these facilities are safe…Public Health Inspectors make sure.  

What if you are bitten by an animal? What if you suspected exposure to rabies? Public Health Inspectors work with schools and veterinarians to provide public education on rabies, a deadly disease that is preventable. Public Health Inspectors work cooperatively with other health care providers to investigate possible exposures to rabies and ensure access to anti-rabies treatment. You assume you are protected from rabies…Public Health Inspectors make sure. 

Have you ever ate at a restaurant or shopped at a grocery store? Public Health Inspectors take the worry out of using these facilities by enforcing the laws that protect your health. Public Health Inspectors protect your health in grocery stores, restaurants and other places where food is sold and served through regular inspections, education and enforcement. You assume the food you eat in these facilities is safe…Public Health Inspectors make sure. 

Ontarians deserve access to clean, safe drinking water that does not pose a risk to human health. You assume your drinking water is safe to drink…Public Health Inspectors make sure.

In Grey and Bruce hundreds of investigations are conducted each year into issues ranging from potential rabies exposures to mould complaints. An Environmental Public Health professional follows up on every report of adverse water quality or communicable disease. Across Grey Bruce, about 2000 health inspections are conducted annually.

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For more information:

Andrew Barton

Manager, Health Hazard / Food Safety / Emergency Planning

Grey Bruce Health Unit