Environmental Health Investigations branch

People in different environments where they might be exposed to chemicals.

Welcome

The Environmental Health Investigations Branch (EHIB) studies and explains how the health of our environment affects our health. We provide information that can help reduce human exposure to harmful environmental risks. Our mission is to protect the health of all Californians by identifying environmental hazards, partnering with communities to build their capacity, and promoting healthy environments.

Learn more about EHIB, including current job openings.

EHIB Programs

Working with Communities

Data & Statistics

Publications & Resources

What’s New?

Heavy Metals Found in Some Ayurvedic Remedies: Consumer alert (PDF) - The California Department of Public Health urges consumers to stop using Astachurnam, Kasthoori, Nagaparpam II, and Korosanai.
Asthma Awareness Month Social Media Toolkit – This toolkit can be used by organizations and others to increase awareness about asthma during Asthma Awareness Month.
Sacramento woman developed severe lead poisoning and died after using a hemorrhoid ointment from Vietnam called Cao Bôi Trĩ Cây Thầu Dầu. See alert in English and Vietnamese. Testing of the ointment found a dangerous amount of lead. Exposure to any amount of lead can harm health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is "Environmental Health"?

The "environment" is the world around us. It includes air, water, soil, traffic, climate, and the products we use. "Environmental health" is a branch of science that helps us understand how the environment may affect our health. Environmental health professionals bring this science to partnerships with others to prevent or control illnesses and improve health and quality of life.

What types of projects do we do?

We conduct scientific investigations to improve our understanding of the relationship between environment and health. The results are often published in professional journals. We conduct health assessments by collecting and analyzing information in communities, and reporting back information on community health and concerns and groups at greatest risk. We provide health education to increase awareness and knowledge about how the environment can impact health. We track certain health conditions to systematically collect, analyze, interpret, and distribute health data to assist in public health practice.

What is "Environmental Health Equity"?

Historically low income and/or ethnically and racially diverse neighborhoods often face worse environmental conditions than richer neighborhoods. Poor communities and communities of color are also more likely to face worse health outcomes from the environment than wealthier communities and white communities. “Environmental health equity” seeks to improve how the environment can change health and improve conditions in all California communities, especially those most in need.

How do our programs contribute to "Environmental Health Equity"?

Our programs contribute to Environmental Health Equity by informing all California communities about environmental health hazards. We promote the meaningful involvement of pollution-affected communities through participatory action. Participatory action can include community members helping in the design of health assessments, communications, investigations, and research to reduce exposure to pollution and health inequities. We strive to make scientific and other information available in the languages spoken and the communications styles and methods used by Californians. We often prioritize projects involving low-income and multilingual communities that sometimes have lacked access to government resources.

How can we measure the chemicals in the bodies of Californians?

We measure chemicals in the body by taking samples of people’s blood and urine and then measuring the chemicals that are present. This process is called “Biomonitoring.” These measurements help us determine if a person has been exposed to harmful chemicals. What we learn from biomonitoring studies can be used to help keep harmful chemicals out of our environment and the products we use. Visit our Biomonitoring page to find out more about our projects.

What is "Environmental Epidemiology"?

"Environmental Epidemiology" is the study of the patterns of disease and the exposure to environmental risks. Scientific investigations may stem from follow up of urgent health investigations or they may arise in response to public concerns about environmental hazards and their relationship to chronic disease or adverse reproductive outcomes. They may also address emerging issues identified by the scientific community. Studies can also involve closely following the patterns of a specific disease.

How do "Community Health Studies" help us look at potential links between toxic exposures and illness?

"Community Health Studies" help us look at potential links between environmental exposure to chemicals and health effects in California communities. In order to suggest a link between a toxic exposure and illness, we need to carry out a scientific health study using careful methods of measuring exposure and illness. A disease may be caused by many different factors. It may be difficult to determine that the disease was caused by exposure to contaminant, not other factors.