Environmental Health Programs

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the NHDES Environmental Health Program is to protect, maintain and enhance the health of New Hampshire citizens through assessment, consultation and outreach activities designed to promote a healthy environment and prevent exposure to harmful levels of contaminants in our air, water, soil and built environment.

The primary objective of the Environmental Health Program is to promote health and quality of life in New Hampshire by investigating, preventing and reducing illnesses and diseases that are related to interactions between people and their environment. The specific focus areas within the Environmental Health Program include health risk assessment, air toxics, indoor air quality, radon, environmental toxicology, and chemical emergency preparedness. More information on these and other environmental health-related programs is provided below.

The Air Toxics Control Program helps protect the health of New Hampshire residents and preserve our environment by working together with the US EPA to control and reduce hazardous air pollutant emissions and ambient air impacts of a number of toxic air pollutants likely to be emitted by businesses and industry in the state. Contact Pat North, (603) 271-0901 or pnorth@des.state.nh.us

The Asbestos Program is responsible for developing and maintaining an asbestos notification and abatement program. The program includes licensing, inspections, compliance assistance, and outreach. Contact Steve Cullinane, (603) 271-1373 or scullinane@des.state.nh.us

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is currently a program within the NH Department of Health and Human Services. Contact Michelle Dembiec, (603) 271-5733

The Environmental Health Tracking Program provides a vehicle for state-wide tracking and integration of environmental hazard, exposure, and health outcome data; improves access to state environmental and health information; and assists with data analysis and dissemination for the evaluation and improvement of environmental health practices in New Hampshire. Contact Matthew Cahillane, (603) 271-4072 or mcahilla@dhhs.state.nh.us

The Environmental Toxicology Program evaluates toxicological information for use in risk assessment and regulatory decision making. Contact Pamela Schnepper, (603) 271-3994 or pschnepper@des.state.nh.us

The Health Risk Assessment Program performs technical risk assessments to evaluate the health risk associated with exposure to toxic chemicals released into the environment. The program issues state-wide health advisories on topics such as mercury in fish and provides health information summaries on various chemicals. Contact Dennis Pinski (603) 271-6909 or dpinski@des.state.nh.us

Healthy School Environments DES, in conjunction with the NH Department of Health and Human Services, the NH Department of Education, the NH Partnership for High Performance Schools, municipal health departments, and others work together on various efforts to assess health and safety issues in school buildings to provide safe, healthy and productive learning environments. School environmental health issues can include indoor air quality problems, mold, radon, chemical releases, pesticide exposures, flaking lead paint, exhaust from idling school buses, outdoor air quality, and more.

The Indoor Air Quality Program is responsible for disseminating information on indoor air quality issues such as mold in the home and second-hand smoke. Contact (603) 271-3911 or IAQ@des.state.nh.us

The Occupational Safety and Health Program provides free on-site health and safety services to eligible employers through its Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Service. Contact Steve Beyer, (603) 271-8590 or sbeyer@des.state.nh.us

The Radon Program is responsible for gathering information on indoor radon occurrence within the state and for disseminating information about where radon occurs throughout New Hampshire, the health effects associated with exposure to radon, and the various means of reducing radon concentrations in both indoor air and water supplies. Contact David Chase, (603) 271-4764 or dchase@des.state.nh.us