COMMUNITY HYGIENE
The Community Hygiene Program is responsible for ensuring that residents live in an environment that is clean and free from disease. Our Program focuses on five main areas listed below, but may become involved in other environmental health issues not handled by the other Programs in the Bureau.If you have concerns about air quality, open burning (burn permits), noise pollution, underground or aboveground storage tanks, landfills, pet stores, or anything else related to the environment and your health you may contact us for more information.
Rabies Prevention
Rabies is a disease which is fatal if not prevented. The Community Hygiene Program is responsible for ensuring that people and pets that have been exposed to the rabies virus are treated immediately, and that further exposure does not occur. Please visit our Rabies Prevention Information page for more information.
Complaint Investigation
Many times the only way we are aware of potential health risks is when a citizen contacts our Program to report a concern. When reports of unhealthy or unsafe conditions are received a sanitarian investigates to determine if further action should be taken.
The Health Department may require the owner or occupant of a property to take action if a nuisance condition exists. A nuisance is any condition that poses an actual or potential threat to health, or interferes with another’s proper use or enjoyment of their property. To find the law regarding nuisances in Howard County, please visit this website: Howard County Code, Title 12.110 Nuisances
If you would like to report a situation that you feel may be a nuisance condition, you may click on the Complaint Data Request Form menu item under Community Hygiene. You may also contact our office by phone at the number listed at the bottom of this page.
Healthy Housing
A healthy environment means living in a community free from pollution and disease, and more importantly living in a healthy home. Your home is the place where you will most likely spend most of your time, so the impact of the conditions within your home on your health will be greater than those outside. While ultimately you as the home owner or occupant are responsible for the conditions of your home, our Program provides information and support for keeping your home a safe and healthy place to live.Our Program is often asked to inspect homes by adoption agencies, and other agencies in charge of daycare and foster homes. We also survey mobile home parks in Howard County for general health and safety issues. If you would like more information about any of these activities, please contact us by the phone number or e-mail listed at the bottom of this page. The following are helpful links to various topics and resources for keeping your home safe and healthy: General
| Healthy Homes Partnership |
| “Help Yourself to a Healthy Home” |
| “Healthy Housing Reference Manual” |
Mold
| Centers for Disease Control – Mold |
| Environmental Protection Agency – Mold |
| “Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home” |
Radon
| Environmental Protection Agency – Radon |
| “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon” |
Mercury
| Howard County Mercury Program |
| Environmental Protection Agency – Mercury |
Lead
| Howard County Lead Program |
| Maryland Dept. of the Environment Lead Poisoning Prevention Program |
| Environmental Protection Agency – Lead |
Healthy Swimming
Howard County has over 4000 public and private swimming pools. Pollution and disease can result from swimming pools that are not regularly maintained. Standing water can lead to increased mosquito populations, mold, various water-related diseases, and accidental drownings.
Our Program inspects over 200 public and semi-public pools and spas in Howard County to ensure they are well maintained. During routine inspections we work with private and commercial pool management companies to monitor the quality of the water, how the facility is being run, and general safety issues for swimmers.
In December 2007, the US Congress and President Bush approved the “Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act,” which provides stricter guidelines for swimming pool and spa entrapment hazards and protective barriers. While this Federal legislation does not take effect until October 2008, the Howard County Health Department and State of Maryland are working to determine how to implement these guidelines. Pool and spa owners / operators will not be required to make modifications to their facilities for the 2008 pool season, but we encourage you to become familiar with the new guidelines and recommendations. You may visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov, or contact our office for further information. A copy of the Act can be found here. A press release by the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals about the Act can be found here.
Pool Operators
In addition, we license all swimming pool operators in Howard County. If you intend to operate a public or semi-public swimming pool, you must have passed a recognized and approved pool operator course. In addition you must submit a Howard County Pool Operator Application. Complete instructions are included in the application. You can download an application by clicking here.
Safe Drinking Water
Protecting the water you drink is a shared responsibility between you and all agencies that work with drinking water sources. The Federal, State, and Local government each have agencies that watch over your water by establishing water quality standards for contaminants that may harm you. Regular maintenance and testing of your water supply is up to you!
In Howard County, our Program is responsible for collecting samples from water wells to be tested for contaminants. All water samples collected by the Health Department are sent to a State lab in Baltimore City for analysis. While there is often a fee for the testing, we do not charge any fees for collecting the samples.
A special note about radium:
In the summer of 2005, the Health Department identified certain areas of Howard County that may be at risk for radium contamination in their well water. A letter entitled “Radionuclides & Your Well Water: A Homeowner's Guide” was sent to all residents who live within the suspected area. We are continuing to samples homes in this area free of charge.
If you would like to schedule an appointment to have your water tested, please contact us at the phone number or e-mail address listed at the bottom of this page
For concerns or questions about installing or repairing a drinking water well please visit the Well and Septic Program website.
For more information, please call 410-313-1773
or toll free at
1-866-313-6300.
Or you may send an e-mail to
askhealth@howardcountymd.gov
For after hours emergencies you may call
Howard County Communications at 410-313-2929
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