Office of Environmental Health staff pose for a picture after a Regional Water Plant Operator Training in July 2018. Pictured from left to right is (front row) Carl Rock, Jake Soolook, Alfred Ningeulook, Archie Adams, Jerry Okbaok, (back row) Racheal Lee, David Nakarak, William Olanna, Lenny Katcheak, Art Amaktoolik, Clare Dewey, George Turner, Ed Titus, John Gilbert, and Emma Pate.
Contact OEH Staff
Office of Environmental Health (OEH)
Environmental Health is a branch of Public Health that focuses on how the build and natural environments can impact human health, either positively or negatively. OEH works with the people and organizations of the Bering Strait region to identify, evaluate, control, and ultimately prevent environmental health issues.
OEH Services
Drinking Water & Wastewater
- Best Practice Score support, regulation compliance assistance, review sanitation construction plans & Preliminary Engineer Reports (PERs), identify sanitation deficiencies, advocacy & liaising, and so much more!
- Remote Maintenance Workers (RMWs): on-site/distance technical assistance and training to the rural drinking water and wastewater operators, including emergency response
- Regional Utility Training & Certification: safe drinking water and operator certification trainings are current priorities.
Resources
Best Practice Scores
Alaska DEC Village Safe Water
IHS Sanitation Tracking and Reporting System (STARS)
Alaska Drinking Water Program
Alaska Rural Utility Business Advisor Program
PDF: Region Sanitation Contact List
Rabies Control and Prevention
- Regional Lay Vaccinator program, rabies vaccinations to dogs/cats, animal bite investigations, record keeping, coordination with State of Alaska.
Resources
Alaska DHSS Rabies Page
PDF: 2011 Animal Rabies in Northwestern Alaska
PDF: 2007 New Policies for the Animal Rabies Lay Vaccinator Program
PDF: OEH Rabies Prevention and Control Program
PDF: DHSS Instructions for Rabies Specimen Submission
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Education outreach about bed bug prevention, manage bed bug heat treatment contract with Houdini’s Bed Bug Services, NSHC IPM policy development.
Resources
EPA Integrated Pest Management
Alaska DEC Bedbug Page
CDC Bedbug Page
Virginia Tech Bedbug Protection
EPA Bedbug Page
General Services
- Outbreak investigations, emerging environmental health threats (climate change, new contaminants, etc.), research, program evaluation, etc.
Environmental Planning
- Capacity building for regional tribes’ environmental programs focused on water, land and air with an emphasis on water.
- Technical assistance and training to build capacity in implementing and managing environmental programs.
- Cooperation and networking among regional tribes.
- Coordinate and partner with local, regional, state, federal and other stakeholders involved in water quality activities.
- Quality environmental monitoring and management of water quality issues within the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.
- Enhanced development of environmental programs by regional tribes.
- Assist with development of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tribal Environmental Plans and Tribal priorities within the Bering Strait Region.
- Technical assistance and training focused on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tribal Environmental Plans and Tribal priorities within the Bering Strait Region.
- Additional information on the EPA Indian General Assistance Programs available within our region can be found at the following links:
Resources
Region 10 EPA IGAP
Clean Water Act: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act
Safe Drinking Water Act: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa
Have questions about recycling, backhaul, or contaminated sites? Contact Kawerak’s Environmental Program
Institutional Environmental Health
- Routine or request-based health & safety surveys of the village clinics, hospital, other NSHC facilities.
Resources
ANTHC Institutional Environmental Health
Internship Program
- Foster regional interest & provide professional career opportunities
- Stay tuned for Alaska Pacific University’s upcoming and accredited Environmental Public Health undergraduate program!
- Interested in a paid Environmental Health internship?
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- National Environmental Health Association
- NSHC Internship: Contact Irvin Barnes at 443-4559
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Healthy Homes
- Priority population includes elderly, very young, and immune/health compromised: education outreach, on-site assessments & technical assistance.
Resources
University of Alaska Healthy Homes
CDC Healthy Housing
EPA Indoor Air Quality
ANTHC Healthy Home
PDF: EPA Mold Guide
PDF: Alaska Native Village Indoor Air Fact Sheet
PDF: OEH Mold Flyer
PDF: Help Yourself to a Healthy Home
Services in the planning stages include:
- Re-opening NSHC’s Drinking Water Lab!
