Our MissionTo protect public health and prevent disease of environmental
origin Keith Keene is the Director of the Division of Environmental Health. The information on this site details the work and goals of the division through its five bureaus. The missions and functions of Division of Environmental Health Bureaus are found below.
Environmental Health Division programs protect the health of
Florida's citizens by promulgating maintenance of a healthy
environment. Program areas include on-site sewage treatment and
disposal, drinking water, facility sanitation, community hygiene,
environmental epidemiology, and radiation devices and information.
Bureau of Community Environmental HealthLeslie Harris, Bureau Chief This bureau detects
and investigates unusual occurrences of diseases
of environmental origin. This includes statewide coordination of
surveillance and investigation of food and waterborne illnesses, counter
bioterrorism activities, lead and pesticide surveillance, and red tide and
marine toxins. The program works closely with local health units and
the Bureau of Laboratories to identify causative factors in environmental
incidents of public health concern. The bureau is also responsible for
assessing the health risks from hazardous waste sites under the SUPERFUND
Program. Bureau of Public Health MedicineCarina Blackmore, Bureau Chief The Bureau of Environmental Public Health Medicine has 13 programs working to protect people from diseases of environmental origin. We have highly skilled environmental epidemiologists, toxicologists and other public health scientists on staff. Epidemiologists study factors affecting the health and illness of populations. Toxicologists study how chemicals in the environment impact human health. We work with data and produce reports, maps and educational materials. Please take a few minutes to visit one of our Program websites to learn more about environmental public health medicine in Florida. Bureau of Radiation ControlWilliam Passetti, Bureau Chief This bureau has 108 employees located throughout Florida to insure the public is not exposed to harmful radiation levels. Program elements include helping ensure the safety of radiation sources, certification of radiological technologists, and the monitoring of nuclear power plants and the radiological impact of phosphate mining. Bureau of Water ProgramsPatti Anderson, Bureau Chief This bureau ensures the safety of drinking water for approximately 70% of Florida's residents. The bureau also manages DOH responsibilities under the State Underground Petroleum Environmental Response Act (SUPER Act), Drycleaner Solvent Surveillance Program, and the Drinking Water Toxics Program. In addition, it reviews the construction and operation of public swimming pools and monitors water quality at selected beaches. Bureau of Onsite Sewage ProgramsGerald Briggs, Bureau Chief The bureau helps ensure the safety of the installation and repair of all onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems within the state. Environmental Health professionals in the onsite sewage program develop guidelines and provide training and standardization for County Health Department employees. The bureau also licenses septic tank contractors.
Information Resource
Division program index |