The scope of the Environmental Health Department of MCHD includes the following programs. Each program has a code and ordinance that have been approved for regulation in order to promote the health and safety of the residents of Montgomery County.
The Department inspects food service facilities according to food safety standards and responds to food safety and health complaints. All restaurants, grocery stores and cafeterias require a permit and are inspected according to the State Food Sanitation Code in conjunction with an ordinance passed by the Montgomery County Board. The department issues food permits for temporary food service occasions and food stands. Regulates and administers enforcement of the local food safety ordinance and Illinois food service sanitation code including, revoking a food permit for the closure of any facility that has been the source of a food-borne illness or that refuses to meet the requirements. The Department offers Food Service Sanitation Certification courses.
The Department administers and enforces the Private Sewage Disposal Program brought forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health in conjunction with the county ordinance for private sewage disposal.
All new and renovated private sewage disposal systems require a permit to be issued to the owner and licensed septic installer prior to construction. Department personnel shall evaluate, approve and inspect the systems. The Department distributes education materials and provides educational presentations.
The Department requires and issues a permit for the drilling of new water wells and the sealing of abandoned wells and shall visit such sites for inspection.
Water test kits are provided free of charge for the testing of private water wells. The samples are sent to the state lab in Springfield. There is no lab fee when new wells are being tested, when there is an infant living in the home or for medical reasons. The Department provides consultation or assistance with samples upon request and provides educational materials and presentations. The Department supports grant funding projects to provide public water to rural communities.
In 1979 the Montgomery County Board passed a Nuisance Ordinance. Nuisance complaints are documented and shall be followed by actions determined by the nature and severity of the immediate threat to public health within the jurisdiction of the enforcement capabilities of the department.
Anonymous complaints have a less immediate response time.
The department shall advise individuals and municipalities on the proper methods of rodent and insect abatement. The department is currently applying for a grant that would provide a more aggressive mosquito abatement program for Montgomery County. The department uses grant funding to conduct and administer a vector control program.
For information on West Nile Virus: http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm
Local health department personnel inspect all tanning facilities permitted by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
State of Illinois Tanning Facilities Code: www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/077/07700795sections.html
Radon Is Easy To Detect And Reduce In A Home
The danger posed by radon can be detected rather easily through inexpensive do-it yourself testing, or through a trained radon contractor. Radon test kits can be purchased by mail order or in hardware stores and other retail outlets, your local health department may also supply test kits for a small fee.
Should the Company Performing Your Radon Test Also be Your Radon Reduction Contractor?
In Illinois it is illegal for the mitigation and testing company to do both the testing and repair of radon at the same home. Ideally the company that performed the first test should do the retest after a mitigation system is installed, that way you have the same set of standard for both tests.
The EPA says: Be aware that there is potential conflict of interest if you use the same company to conduct both the test and the radon mitigation of the home. If the same radon testing professional also offers to do radon mitigation of the home, make sure that the testing is done according to the Testing Checklist.
Did you know?
- Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer
- Radon is a radioactive gas
- Any home can have radon
- There is no such thing in Illinois as “we don’t have radon in this area”.