M7.4 Local Environmental Services

One of the various departments in Yolo County is the Yolo County Environmental Health Division (EHD). The goal of the EHD in Yolo County is "to protect and enhance the quality of life of the Yolo County resident by identifying, assessing, mitigating, and preventing environmental hazards. The EHD focuses of three different ares; consumer protection, hazardous materials, and land & environmental protection. 

Under Consumer Protection, several programs exist that help to prevent the spread of diseases. For example the Body Art Program, helps prevent the spread of diseases by inspecting body art facilities for compliance. The Food Protection Program helps prevent the spread of food borne illnesses. This program is in charge of processing food permits and inspecting food facilities. The housing Program helps protect occupational health by inspecting housing conditions that may harm individuals. 

The Hazardous Materials branch focuses on the safe disposal of hazardous materials, responding to hazardous materials emergencies, monitors wells and soils borings, and protects the public health and environment through the regulation of facilities that store hazardous materials underground. 

The Land & Environmental Protection division oversees sewage disposal, use and disposal of biosolids, protect residents drinking water by inspecting water system in the area. This division is also in charge of solid waste disposal which oversees that facilities and operations comply with the rules and regulations of disposing solid waste. 

One of the programs that I found very interesting was under the Health and Human Services Department. The Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health Program in Yolo County focuses on the well being of pregnant women and children. One of the many programs they have works with the various organizations (health centers, farms) to protect women from environmental risks such as prolong exposure to pesticides.