Check here for information about topics that impact individuals and the community such as radon, mold, water and air quality.
If you have other questions about this type of information please contact Teller County Environmental Health Department. This agency is primarily responsible for administering the Individual Sewage Disposal Systems program and the Consumer Food Service Protection program. The Department is also involved in regulating air quality, water quality, solid waste and other environmental health concerns.
|
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility for Teller & El Paso County Residents |
 Hazardous Materials Disposal Facility for Teller and El Paso County
Many products used in the home, garden, garage and hobby shop contain hazardous chemicals that can potentially harm the user or the environment. Anything marked "caution," "keep out of reach of children," "danger," "poison," "hazardous," "flammable," "harmful or fatal if swallowed," "causes severe burns on contact," "do not use near heat or flame," "vapor harmful," "eye and skin irritant," or "use in a well-ventilated area" should be considered hazardous.
Use safety precautions when using, storing, or disposing of any hazardous products. When discarding these products, they become household hazardous waste requiring proper disposal. Please click on this link to download a pdf containing complete information.
|
|
Stuck on How to Dispose of Used Medical Needles? |
|
Do you have used medical needles and other medical waste that need disposed of? It is very important to the environment and to public health to dispose of these materials properly. The El Paso County Hazardous Waste Facility will accept your needles and medical waste.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Rabies Confirmed in Coyote in Cortez |
Rabies Confirmed in Coyote in Cortez DENVER-- A coyote in Cortez has tested positive for rabies according to lab results from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The Colorado Division of Wildlife and Montezuma County Health Department submitted the coyote for rabies testing after property owners reported it was acting strangely by trying to enter a fenced enclosure with dogs and showing no fear of loud noises or being approached by humans. Confirmed results suggest the coyote was infected by a rabid bat.So far in 2010, the state health department and Colorado State University diagnostic laboratories have confirmed rabies in 138 animals. According to state health officials, 64 bats, 62 skunks, seven foxes, one domestic cat, one horse, one mule deer and one muskrat have tested positive for rabies this year. Colorado is on track to break a record for rabies in wildlife due to the spread of rabies in skunks from Eastern Colorado toward the Front Range.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
BPA: How to Reduce Exposure |
Bisphenol-A (BPA): How to Reduce ExposureBisphenol-A (BPA) is an additive that has been used for more than 40 years to harden plastics, keep bacteria from growing in foods and prevent cans from rusting.
Q: Why is there concern over BPA lately?
- Recent studies have led scientists and federal government agencies to express some concern that BPA may have harmful effects on people.
- Babies and young children seem to be at most risk because
- their bodies are growing and changing so quickly; and
- they eat and drink more per pound of body weight than adults.
- Exposure to BPA is widespread.
- Studies have found that more than 90 percent of people tested had BPA in their urine, which means it was in their bodies. BPA also can be found in breast milk.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Overview: Radon in Homes and Schools
February 23, 2010
-
Every Coloradan should be concerned – but not panicky – about radon. Everyone’s goal should be to reduce their family’s radon exposure, and the best way to do that is by testing your home and installing a mitigation system if radon exceeds the EPA recommended action level of 4.0 picocuries per liter of air.
-
Requiring schools to test for radon gives them the data they need to make informed decisions about how to address any radon issues they may have. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides information, consultation and tools to help schools with this task.
-
Parents concerned about radon in the schools should talk to their local school board to learn how the school plans to address the problem. And remember that children can spend more than twice as much time at home as they do in school. We urge all parents to test their homes for radon and take control over that potential exposure pathway.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Services/Programs 
