Division of Public Health
Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health
(BEOH)
The Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health promotes public
health through statewide programs to increase public awareness of
environmental and occupational health hazards and disease and works to
prevent and control exposure to environmental and occupational health
hazards. Information regarding environmental health issues can be found on
the Environmental Health Resources
web site. The Bureau provides tracking of environmental and
occupational illness through disease surveillance programs, provides
consultation to employers, local public health agencies and the public on
many technical issues and promotes risk reduction through assessment,
evaluation and control of environmental and occupational hazards. The
Bureau regulates and licenses restaurants, lodging and recreational
facilities, x-ray equipment, radioactive materials and devices and
certifies lead and asbestos workers, food managers and environmental
health professionals.
The Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health has four sections:
Health Hazard Evaluation Section, Lead and Asbestos Section, Food Safety
and Recreational Licensing Section and the Radiation Protection Section.
The Health Hazard Evaluation Section tracks environmental and
occupational diseases and conditions, performs assessment of uncontrolled
hazardous waste sites, provides technical support on indoor air quality,
asthma and other environmental issues and conducts research and provides
information regarding the health risks associated with sports fish
consumption. Toxicologists within the Section prepare recommendations for
groundwater and ambient air quality standards.
The Lead and Asbestos Section tracks adult and childhood lead poisoning
in Wisconsin, prepares policies and guidance on case follow-up and
management, and develops strategies to prevent lead poisoning. A registry
of lead-safe and lead-free properties is maintained. Also section staff
certify lead and asbestos workers. More information can be found at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/lead.
The Food Safety and Recreational Licensing Section licenses
restaurants, lodging facilities, swimming pools and spas, campgrounds,
recreational/educational camps and body art practitioners and facilities.
The Section also registers environmental health professionals and
certifies food managers.
The Radiation Protection Section inspects and licenses
X-ray
devices and
mammography
facilities, radioactive materials and devices and
tanning
devices. The Section provides technical support regarding the control
of indoor radon and provides environmental monitoring around Wisconsin’s
nuclear energy facilities. The Section maintains emergency response
capability for energy or transportation incidents, or potential acts of
terrorism involving radioactive materials.
The Bureau has key relationships with local
health departments, community-based organizations, private voluntary
organizations, academic and health care provider networks. The Bureau
maintains strong working relationships with small employers, the
restaurant, lodging and tourism industries, utilities, the housing
industry and labor.
Return to DPH Programs and Services
Last Revised:
May 20, 2013 |
