DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Environmental Health Update
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an overview of the Environmental Health program and updates on recent collaboration and outreach efforts.
SUMMARY
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of, a community health board under Minn. Stat. Ch. 145A, including the responsibility to protect against environmental hazards and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents.
Since receiving dedicated levy dollars and leveraging grant funds in 2023, Dakota County Environmental Health (EH) has added personnel and increased its programmatic capacity to better respond to the increasing needs and concerns of Dakota County residents. A key tenet of environmental health is the prevention and control of human injury and illness by identifying and addressing exposures to environmental health hazards. To this end, the EH team is responsible for program areas that include radon, public health nuisances, lead hazard reduction orders, and clandestine drug labs. The team also responds to inquiries from the public and reviews mass assemblage license applications. Past activities and collaborations fuel plans for improvements to, and expansion of, resources and services for Dakota County residents (Attachment: Environmental Health 2024 Annual Report).
OUTCOMES
How much?
Each year, hundreds of County residents directly engage with EH program services, including:
- 1,041 radon test kits distributed to Dakota County residents (2024)
- 119 environmental inquiries addressed (2024)
How well?
The EH team is committed to increased community outreach and education, indicated by the following:
- 25 percent increase in number of radon kits distributed from 2023
- Averaged 1.6 calls to resolve an environmental complaint (among those engaged)
Is anyone better off?
The resources and services provided by the EH program are fundamental to the assessment and prevention of environmental health exposures and contribute to the overall health of Dakota County residents and visitors. The community benefits from a more robust, engaged EH program now able to better support other Public Health programs, collaborate across County divisions, and partner with cities, peer counties, and the state health department in a more strategic fashion.
- 153 County homeowners with knowledge about radon risk and the steps to mitigate it
- 37 percent of radon test results received by the EH team that were at or above the EPA’s recommended action level, at which the installation of a radon mitigation system is recommended
- 94 percent of environmental inquiries resolved with information/resources, a completed investigation, or a referral to another agency
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Environmental Health 2024 Annual Report
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Gina Pistulka
Author: Liz Robertson