Contact Us
Public Health
Seattle & King County
401 5th Ave., Suite 1300
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-296-4600
TTY Relay: 711
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Home » Environmental Health Services |
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Environmental Health Services Division
401 - 5th Avenue, Suite 1100
Seattle, WA 98104-2333
Phone: 206-205-4394
Environmental Health Services focuses on prevention of disease through proper sanitation, safe food, proper disposal of waste and toxics, and management of disease-carrying pests.
Environmental Health services and programs
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- Avian Influenza
Avian (or bird) flu: a disease caused by avian influenza viruses that occurs naturally among birds. In rare cases, it can be transmitted from birds to humans.
- Drinking Water Program
The Public Health Drinking Water Program works to prevent communicable disease and illness associated with drinking water from small public and individual private water systems.
- Food Protection Program
Information on how to start a food business, the inspection process, how to get a food worker permit, food safety fact sheets, how to issue a complaint on a food establishment, and more.
- Hazardous sites in King County
The Site Hazard Assessment team investigates properties that are known to be potentially contaminated. The team examines suspected contaminated sites using lists of sites developed and maintained by Washington State Ecology. Sites can become contaminated through chemical spills, leaks, illegal discharges, or historic disposal activities.
- Homeowner Plumbing Program
Plumbing can be difficult. Public Health – Seattle & King County recommends you hire a professional plumber. If you choose to do your own plumbing, please adhere closely to these instructions.
- Illegal Drug Lab Cleanups (meth labs)
Illegal drugs such as methamphetamine, ecstacy and methcathinone are made in clandestine labs. Learn about Public Health's role in the decontamination process.
- Pest Control Operator Regulation
Registers and regulates businesses engaged in structural pest control, (i.e. businesses doing extermination or fumigation). Also licenses and regulates master pest control operators.
- Pet business permits
Permit information for commercial kennels, pet daycares and shops where pets are sold.
- Roadside Monitoring Program (PDF)
Monitors the King County Department of Transportation's Roadside Weed Control Program by taking samples to look for pesticide concentration.
- School Plan Review
Reviews and approves new school sites and plans for public and private schools kindergarten through high school grade 12.
- Solid Waste
Fact sheets on how to dispose multiple types or waste in King County.
- Swimming Pool and Spa Inspections and Management
Information for owners/managers of public and semi-public pools and spas including the Plan Review process, printable rules and water recreation publications.
- Toxic Hazards
Facts, guidelines and reports including the Tacoma Smelter Plume project, syringe disposal, indoor air quality, household hazardous chemicals, arsenic and lead, and more.
- Wastewater Program
Public Health helps to ensure that over 115,000 septic systems including 192 septic systems in Seattle are safe. See extensive information for homeowners, septic professionals and more.
- West Nile virus surveillance
West Nile virus can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and other animals. Learn about Public Health's West Nile virus surveillance activities in King County.
Environmental Health fact sheets
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- Disaster preparedness fact sheets
Available in multiple languages, these fact sheets include information from "Cleaning a house after a flood" to "Finding hidden water supplies in an emergency" and more.
- Goat, private ownership
It is important to understand legal issues, disease concerns, goat husbandry, milking, and sanitation before you get a goat as a pet or for food production.
- Gypsy Moths: using Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (B.t.k.) pesticide
Fact sheet on human health risks of using B.t.k. pesticide to control gypsy moths.
- Illegal dumping
Illegal dumping is the dumping solid waste onto the surface of the ground or into the waters of the state, except at a permitted disposal site. Learn why this can be a public health problem.
- Lead Fact Sheet
Lead is a useful and common metal that has been used by humans for thousands of years. It is also a very dangerous poison, particularly for children, when it is accidentally inhaled or ingested.
- Rabies Fact Sheet
Rabies is a disease caused by the rabies virus. People start to show signs of the disease 1 to 3 months or longer after being bitten by an animal carrying the rabies virus.
- Raccoon Latrines, How to Clean Up
Raccoons establish community latrines—sites where they repeatedly deposit fresh feces (droppings or scat) on top of old feces in a particular area in their environment.
- Rat prevention
Rats are dangerous! They can ruin your food, destroy things in your home and start electrical fires. Rats and their fleas can carry disease. Learn tips for preventing rats getting into your building.
- Swimmer's Itch
Swimmer’s itch (cercarial dermatitis) is an itchy rash caused by a parasite in lake water. Learn how to prevent from getting swimmer's itch before getting in and out of the water.
- Wood Smoke
(Feb. 2, 2004 press release): TV show that informs about the health dangers of wood smoke. You can view the show through your Internet browser using Real Media Player.
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learn more
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Fire smoke and health (PDF)
Smoke’s very small particles are toxic to the lung and carry toxic gases with them deep into sensitive areas of the lungs. (by the Washington State Dept. of Health) |
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