Environmental Public Health Program

The Environmental Public Health Program evaluates the possible hazards to human health associated with toxic substances in the environment. Epidemiological studies and toxicological risk assessments are used to evaluate human exposures to hazardous substances and potential health risks. Chemical contaminants can enter our environment from emergency release events, hazardous waste disposal, global transport, local deposition and other sources.

Program objectives include:

• Develop intervention strategies to reduce or eliminate chemical exposures of human health concern
• Foster two-way communication in order to address community concerns about contaminants
• Provide information about the health risks associated with hazardous substances

Programs and Activities

• Alaska Lead Surveillance Program  • Coming Soon...
• Alaska Statewide Hair Mercury Biomonitoring Program
• Subsistence/traditional foods safety  • Coming Soon...
• Response to hazardous substances emergency events  • Coming Soon...
• Public health consultations at sites that contain hazardous substances  • Coming Soon...

Hot topics- What's new in the Environmental Public Health Program

• A Women's Guide to Eating Fish in Alaska
  
  Alaska Fish Consumption Guidelines for women who are or can become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children age 12 years and under are now available. Click here for more information.

• Targeted Mercury Biomonitoring Project in Rural Alaska
  
  The Environmental Public Health Program is currently conducting a targeted mercury biomonitoring project in rural Alaska. The project aims to determine if there is a link between fish consumption and hair mercury levels in populations that eat northern pike. This project is being conducted in collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and is taking place in communities on or near several national wildlife refuges throughout Alaska. Results will be available to the public in the fall of 2008. Click here for USFWS and Environmental Public Health Program project fact sheets.

Fact sheets and information on common environmental health issues in Alaska

*Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement*

• Alaska Fish Facts and Consumption Guidelines - State of Alaska
• Arsenic - Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Arsenic - Municipality of Anchorage
• Asbestos - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Carbon monoxide poisoning - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Environmental cancers - American Cancer Society
• "A Journey Into Cancer's Causes - Alaska Natives Ask about Cancer"
  - Siobhan Wescott, Alaska Native Health Board (721 KB)
• Environmental dust - Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
• Lead - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Mercury - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Mold - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Mold - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Tetrachloroethylene (PERC) - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Volcano facts - State of Alaska
• Volcano facts - U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
• Volcano facts - Alaska Volcano Observatory
• Wildfire smoke - State of Alaska

Don't see your topic? Click here for a link to all State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology Bulletins

Environmental Public Health Program Staff - check out who works in the program, what they do, and how to contact them  • Coming Soon...

Public Comments and Questions

The Environmental Public Health Program welcomes comments and questions from the public. Please use this form to send us your comments or questions. Thank you.

The public is encouraged to contact the Environmental Public Health Program with any questions they might have regarding environmental health issues.

Other Links of Interest

Many other credible environmental health resources are available online, and individuals seeking general information about health and the environment are encouraged to take advantage of the following useful sites:

*Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement*

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
  Includes "ToxFAQs" fact sheets that describe the health effects of hazardous substances.
• ExToxNet (The EXtension TOXicology NETwork)
  Includes fact sheets for the environmental and human health effects of pesticides, and explanations of general environmental toxicology concepts.
• Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
  The State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
• CDC/NCEH
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health

State of Alaska | Alaska Pioneer Homes | Behavioral Health | Boards and Councils
Finance and Management Services | Health Care Services | Juvenile Justice | Office of Children's Services
Public Assistance | Public Health | Seniors and Disabilities Services
H&SS Public Notices | Site Search | Links for staff | Webmaster | Epidemiology Webmaster | H&SS Contacts