Environmental Health Agencies

Below is a list of environmental health agencies that are great resources for researching environmental health issues and work with the NWTCC.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ATSDR serves the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances.

Below are some very useful links for understanding the environmental and health effects of toxic substances.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

The mission of the NIEHS is to reduce the burden of human illness and disability by understanding how the environment influences the development and progression of human disease.

Some links that are helpful:

Environmental Protection Agency Region 10

Region 10 of Environmental Protection Agency, serving the people of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Native Tribes.

Alaska Division of Environmental Health

The Division of Environmental Health (EH) deals with the basics: safe drinking water, food, and sanitary practices. Our goal is to provide businesses with clear standards so that they can protect our environment and provide safe food and drinking water to Alaskans.

The Alaska Division of Environmental Health is under the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

Some helpful links:

  • Alaska Environmental Health Homepage
  • Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is a state department created by the Idaho Environmental Protection and Health Act (Idaho Code §39-101 et seq) to ensure clean air, water, and land in the state and protect Idaho citizens from the adverse health impacts of pollution. As a regulatory agency, DEQ enforces various state environmental regulations and administers a number of federal environmental protection laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare: Environmental Health

Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare’s programs are, “designed to help people live healthily and be productive, strengthening individuals, families, and communities. From birth throughout life, we help people improve their lives.”

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is a regulatory agency whose job is to protect the quality of Oregon’s environment.

Oregon Department of Environmental Health

The Office of Environmental Public Health assures statewide control of environmental hazards through drinking water protection, radiation protection, environmental toxicology and epidemiology programs, and regulation of food, pool, and lodging facilities. The Office of Environmental Public Health is under the Public Health Division of the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Washington Department of Ecology

The Mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment, and promote the wise management of our air, land, and water for the benefit of current and future generations.

Washington Division of Environmental Health

The Washington Division of Environmental Health is committed to, “Improving People’s Health by Reducing Exposures to Environmental Hazards.” The Washington Division of Environmental Health is under the Washington State Department of Health.