Local Environmental Health Services

San Mateo County Health 

My local health department is San Mateo County Health. Within their health department, I found a link to their Healthy Environment section, which focuses on multiple aspects of environmental health. Their initiatives include:

1. Smoke-free San Mateo County: This section focuses mostly on smoking cessation and decreased access, but also touches on smoke-free environments (particularly housing), and opioid risks and addiction.


2. Healthy Housing: This section touches on pest and mold-free homes, smoke-free homes, and lead poisoning. Each of these sections provides tips and steps one can take to help mitigate these hazards. One example in the pest and mold-free homes section is the tip to, "Dry moisture from windows and walls after bathing" in order to reduce the risk of mold. Resources are provided for both renters and landlords. However, one major issues is that many of the resources are only provided in English.

I've also had a "drifting smoke" issue with my neighbors who host an Airbnb next door. This website provided some great resources to help me address this issue moving forward. When the issue first came about, I didn't know who to reach out to or where to seek support, but I'm glad I now have a resource to help guide me.


3. Pets and Wildlife: This section has multiple resources, including: pest complaints, dealing with bites and rabies, pet licensing, animal control, a voucher program for spaying and neutering pets, and information on lost and found pets. One of the most interesting services in this section was the support provided for spay and neutering services. Vouchers are provided to help pet owners or feral cat advocates reduce unwanted pet pregnancies. In addition to unwanted pet pregnancies, multiple health benefits are highlighted to further convince individuals to use this program for their pets.


4. Preventing Pollution: This section focused on coastal cleanup, a cigarette butt litter reduction program, the James V. Fitzgerald Area of Special Biological Significance (Fitzgerald ASBS) Pollution Reduction Program, and additional information and support for the reusable bag ordinance in the county. It was interesting to read about the Fitzgerald ASBS Pollution Reduction Program, because it highlights the importance of the diversity that is present in the local shoreline, calling for added protection.


5. Healthy Nail Salon Program: This was by far my favorite section and the one that surprised me the most. To me, cosmetics and beauty products are rarely focused on in environmental health, but I appreciate the steps taken by the county to provide safe alternatives. They provide a list of certified healthy nail salons in the county. This is primarily done to support safe environments that are free of harmful chemicals to both customers and employees of these salons.

Here is the Healthy Nail Salon Program Link and it also links you to other programs across multiple cities and counties across CA including Santa Clara, San Francisco, Alameda, and City of Santa Monica. 

6. Safe-to-Eat Fish Guide: This section provides a guide on fish to eat and avoid in the SF Bay. the guide is based on chemical levels found in the fish and the harmful effects they can have on a persons health. One guide is specific to infants and women of childbearing age (more vulnerable population) and the other guide is for older women ad all men.