Environmental Public Health

Environmental Public Health is a field of public health that focuses on how the environment influences human health.

The Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County's (DOH-Charlotte) Environmental Public Health Program looks at how natural and human-made environments such as air, water, soil, buildings, and workplaces can either help protect or harm people's health.

It involves identifying and assessing environmental risks, preventing diseases and injury, creating policies and interventions, and educating the public. 

DOH-Charlotte's Environmental Public Health program ensures that people who work, live, and play in Charlotte County, Florida, remain happy and healthy by reducing the risk of injury and illness.

The following industries, resources, and services are regulated by DOH-Charlotte:

Biomedical Waste
DOH-Charlotte has primary authority and responsibility for facilities in Charlotte County, Florida, that generate, transport, store, or treat biomedical waste through processes other than incineration. For more information, visit DOH-Charlotte's Biomedical Waste Program webpage.

Body Piercing
Body piercing salons and temporary establishments in Charlotte County, Florida, must apply for a license and submit it to DOH-Charlotte. For more information, visit DOH-Charlotte's Body Piercing webpage.

Drinking Water
DOH-Charlotte conducts investigation of wells or areas in Charlotte County, Florida, that may be at risk due to chemical release and to provide an alternative water source to a homeowner whose well is found to contain contaminants above the primary Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) or Health Advisory Level (HAL). For more information, visit DOH-Charlotte's Drinking Water webpage.

Food Safety and Sanitation
DOH-Charlotte's Food Safety and Sanitation Program promotes, protects, and improves the health of the public by monitoring and regulating food handling and sanitary conditions of food service in institutional settings regulated by DOH-Charlotte. For more information, visit DOH-Charlotte's Food Safety and Sanitation webpage.

Group Care Facilities
DOH-Charlotte's Group Care Facilities Program assures that group care facilities in Charlotte County, Florida, comply with minimum standards relating to the protection of health, safety, and well-being of those using these facilities. For more information, visit DOH-Charlotte's Group Care Facilities Program webpage.

Mobile Home Parks
DOH-Charlotte's Mobile Home Parks Program licenses mobile home parks in Charlotte County, Florida, with a focus on safe drinking water supply and proper sewage disposal, among others. For more information, visit DOH-Charlotte's Mobile Home Parks webpage.

Onsite Sewage
DOH-Charlotte's Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System (OSTDS) Program inspects and issues permits for OSTDS in Charlotte County, Florida, that produce 10,000 gallons or less of domestic strength sewage flow or 5,000 gallons or less of commercial strength sewage per day. For more information, visit DOH-Charlotte's OSTDS Program webpage.

Public Swimming Pools
DOH-Charlotte's Environmental Public Health issues permits for and inspects public swimming pools in Charlotte County, Florida. For more information, visit DOH-Charlotte's Public Swimming Pools webpage.

Tanning Facilities
DOH-Charlotte monitors tanning facilities' operations through regular inspections to assure that required sanitary standards are maintained. For more information, visit DOH-Charlotte's Tanning webpage.

Tattoo Establishments and Artists
DOH-Charlotte licenses and inspects tattoo establishments and artists in Charlotte County, Florida. For more information, visit DOH-Charlotte's Tattoo webpage.

Environmental Public Health Resources

• Inspections completed by Florida Department of Health's Environmental Public Health staff are available on the Florida Department of Health's Inspection Reports and Data webpage.

• To search for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS) permits, go to DOH-Charlotte's OSTDS Permit Lookup webpage.

• To pay an Environmental Public Health invoice online or print a permit, visit MyFloridaEHPermit.com.

Other Resources

There are certain industries, resources, and services not regulated by DOH-Charlotte; therefore, complaints must be submitted to the appropriate government agency.

Charlotte County:

• Charlotte County Public Works Department manages mosquito populations and aquatic/exotic vegetation in Charlotte County, Florida. For more information, call Public Works' Mosquito & Aquatic Weed Control Division at 941-764-4370.
• Charlotte County Public Works Department says to report illegal dumping in Charlotte County, Florida, by calling 1-866-938-6722.
• Charlotte County Animal Control enforces county ordinances and state statutes pertaining to animals. To report an animal nuisance in Charlotte County, Florida, call Animal Control at 941-833-5690. For after-hour and holiday calls, contact the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office dispatch by dialing 941-639-2101. If someone's life or safety is in immediate danger, call 911.

• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) regulates food products and food businesses and pest control, among other industries and services. To file a complaint with FDACS, visit FDACS.gov.

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR):

• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) regulates alcoholic beverages, barbers, drugs, devices, and cosmetics, food outlets (grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, and wholesale meat or seafood), lodging (hotels, motels, and apartments), mold related services, tobacco, and veterinary medicine, among other industries and services. To file a complaint with DBPR, visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

Florida Department of Health's Indoor Air Program:

• Florida Department of Health's Indoor Air Program provides expert guidance to Floridians with indoor air concerns in residences, schools, health care facilities, and other public facilities. The Florida Department of Health does not offer inspection services.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) administers the asbestos program to minimize the release of asbestos fibers during activities involving the processing, handling and disposal of asbestos-containing material.
• DEP's Division of Air Resource Management is charged with the protection and management of Florida’s air resource, including air quality monitoring, permitting, and ensuring compliance of emission sources.
• DEP's Hazardous Waste Management reviews and issues permits and coordinates compliance monitoring and enforcement activities at hazardous waste generators, transporters, and treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) facilities with the regulatory DEP district offices.
• DEP's Onsite Sewage Program is responsible for implementing the Florida Statutes and regulations applicable to OSTDS.

Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code:

• Visit Leg.State.FL.us for the Florida Statutes that govern Public Health.
• Visit FLRules.org for state rules regulating the Division of Environmental Public Health of the Florida Department of Health.

Florida Onsite Sewage Association:

• Visit MyFOWA.com for more information on the Florida Onsite Sewage Association