Environmental Epidemiology

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Environmental Epidemiology Program-EEP

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services Environmental Epidemiology Program (EEP) considers all aspects of the natural and man-made environment that may affect human health.

EEP assesses and responds to human exposure to hazardous substances in the environment.
We provide data and measures to tell Utahns about environmental health risks so they can make informed decisions.
EEP establishes and maintains health and sanitation rules and enhances education, prevention, and surveillance of childhood lead poisoning.

The Utah APPLETREE Program works with partner agencies to assess and respond to human exposures to hazardous substances in the environment.

We take action to address environmental public health issues in Utah.

Identify exposure pathways at specific sites
Educate affected communities and local health professionals about site contamination and potential health effects
Coordinate public health interventions to reduce exposures to hazardous substances
Review health outcome data to evaluate potential links between site contaminants and community health outcomes

Environmental Health Program (EHP) sets sanitation standards to ensure a clean and sanitary environment for food service facilities, public pools, public lodging, and other public facilities. To accomplish this, the EHP has oversight of 23 state rules, under Title R392, and assists local health departments in their responsibility to enforce these rules. The EHP also provides training and education and coordinates environmental health issues with the local health departments, and other state and federal agencies.

Smoke-free multi-family housing

Second hand smoke

Utah Environmental Public Health Tracking

Standardizes environmental health data and makes it accessible to partners and the public
Educates the public on environmental health risks and concerns so Utahns can make healthy choices
Provides information that can be used to plan, apply, and evaluate actions that could reduce the risk of environmentally related diseases
Provides data to help health policy, practices, and other actions

Explore Health Topics:

Lead is a naturally occurring element that can have harmful health effects. People can come into contact with lead through a number of ways, such as consuming lead-containing paint chips, eating contaminated food or water, and inhaling lead dust.

Many children ingest lead dust objects when they put objects like toys and dirt in their mouths. Because their nervous systems are still developing, children younger than age 6 are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of lead, as lead is readily absorbed by their bodies. Even low levels of lead in the bloodstream can lead to developmental delays, learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and neurological harm.

Utah's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (UCLPPP) focuses on the elimination of childhood lead poisoning as a public health problem through strengthened blood lead testing, reporting, surveillance, and linking exposed children to recommended services.

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