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Outdoor Wood-fired Boilers Subject to State Air Quality Regulations

October 9, 2008 - DENVER -  The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment once again is reminding the public that outdoor wood-fired boilers, which are gaining popularity as an alternative residential energy source, are subject to state air quality regulations and should be purchased and installed conscientiously. Continued

Rabies Confirmed in Denver Skunk

Oct. 2, 2008 - DENVER - Following reports earlier this year of rabid skunks circulating in eastern counties of Colorado, the state lab at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed a rabid skunk in the vicinity of Sloan’s Lake in Northwest Denver. According to epidemiologists at the state health department, this is the first rabid skunk found in the metro area since 1976. Continued

Community Voices Help Guide Cleanup Decision for Captain Jack Superfund Site

Sept. 30, 2008 - DENVER - Officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency have changed the proposed remedy to clean up the Captain Jack Mill, a Superfund site along Lefthand Creek in Boulder County. The changes come as a result of public input received by the state during the public comment period. Both agencies approved the new remedy on Sept. 29. Continued

Consumers Advised Not to Consume Mr. Brown Instant Coffee and Milk Tea Products and White Rabbit Creamy Candy Due to Melamine Contamination

Sept. 26, 2008 - DENVER - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection Division Friday advised consumers not to eat Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products manufactured by Shandong Duqing Inc. and distributed by King Car Food Industrial Co. Ltd. of China or White Rabbit Creamy Candy manufactured by Shanghai Guan Sheng Yuan International Trade Co. Ltd. of China, due to possible contamination with the chemical melamine. Consumers may have purchased these products in Asian markets or from the Internet. Continued

Colorado Students Invited to Enter 2009 National Radon Poster Contest
Students, Parents and Teachers Can Win Washington, D.C., Trip

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 - DENVER - The National Safety Council, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is sponsoring a Radon Poster Contest for children ages 9-14 enrolled in a public, private, territorial, tribal, Department of Defense or home school. Members of a sponsoring club, such as a scouting organization or art, computer, science or 4-H club, also are eligible. There is no entry fee, and only one entry per student is allowed. The entry deadline is Oct. 15, 2008. Continued

Bimbo Bakeries USA Issues an Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts in Oroweat 100% Whole Wheat Bread

Sept. 17, 2008 - DENVER - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced today that Bimbo Bakeries USA has initiated a voluntary recall of Oroweat 100% Whole Wheat bread because it may contain tree nuts not listed on the label. Individuals with allergies to tree nuts run the risk of a serious and or life-threatening reaction if they consume this product. Continued

State Health Department Concludes Ozone Forecasting for 2008

Sept. 3, 2008 - DENVER - Air quality forecasting for ground-level ozone has concluded for the year, according to officials at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Air Pollution Control Division and the Regional Air Quality Council. Continued

Boulder County Public Health Reminds Residents to Take Precautions with Body Art

Aug. 19, 2008 - (Boulder, Colo.) - Public health officials are reminding residents to take precautions before paying an unlicensed person to perform body art, or buying “do-it-yourself” piercing kits. Continued

FDA Warns Consumers Not to Eat Certain Mussel Products from Bantry Bay Seafood

Aug. 18, 2008 - DENVER - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection Division announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers not to eat certain frozen cooked mussel products made by Bantry Bay Seafoods. These products, imported from Ireland, may be contaminated with azaspiracid toxins, a group of naturally occurring marine toxins known to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Symptoms typically occur within hours of consumption and persist for two to three days. Continued

Boulder County Looking for Public Participation on Food Safety Committee

August 15, 2008 - (Boulder, Colo.) - Boulder County Public Health’s Food Safety Advisory Committee (FSAC) invites the public to share their concerns and ideas for food safety in Boulder County food facilities. Continued

Nebraska Firm Recalls Beef Products Due to Possible E.coli Contamination

Aug. 11, 2008 - DENVER - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection Division on Monday announced that Nebraska Beef, Ltd., an Omaha, Neb., establishment has recalled approximately 1.2 million pounds of beef – including primal cuts, subprimal cuts and boxed beef – that may be contaminated with E. coli. Continued

Bus Retrofit Project Means Cleaner, Healthier Air for Pueblo County Schoolchildren and Other Bus Riders

Aug. 6, 2008 - PUEBLO - Thousands of Pueblo County schoolchildren and other bus riders in the area will breathe cleaner, healthier air during their commutes beginning this year, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Continued

Water Identified Among Top Environmental Issues For Colorado

Aug. 1, 2008 - DENVER - A recent survey for the Water Quality Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will help guide future policy-making and public outreach efforts regarding water issues in the state. Continued

Consumers Warned Against Eating Tomalley of American (Maine) Lobster

July 30, 2008 - DENVER - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection Division Wednesday warned consumers to avoid eating the tomalley (sounds like tamale) in American lobster (Maine lobster), regardless of where the lobster was harvested, because of potential contamination with dangerous levels of toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).  Continued

Kentucky Firm Recalls Frozen Stuffed Chicken Sandwiches That May Contain Pieces of Plastic

July 15, 2008 - Denver - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection Division today advised consumers that Nestlé Prepared Foods Company, a Mt. Sterling, Ky., establishment, is recalling approximately 199,400 pounds of frozen stuffed chicken pocket sandwiches that may contain pieces of plastic. The recall was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Continued

Nebraska Firm Expands Recall of Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
Coloradans Urged to Cook Ground Beef Thoroughly to Avoid Illness

July 3, 2008 - DENVER - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection Division Thursday announced that Nebraska Beef in Omaha, Neb., is expanding its June 30 recall to include approximately 5.3 million pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The beef products were produced between May 16 and June 26. The products subject to recall were further processed into ground beef at other firms, and likely will not have the establishment number listed on product packaging made available for purchase by consumers. Continued

Join the Summer Clean Air Challenge. It's Simple.

With gas prices over $4 per gallon, and our ozone pollution levels already beyond Federal Ozone standards, this is an important summer for all of us. Ozone is an important health issue. Increased ground-level ozone concentrations, even at levels below the federal standard, can compromise health, especially among sensitive populations like active children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma. But there is something you can do.

Take the Clear Air Challenge

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Alleges Violations at CEMEX Cement Plant in Lyons

June 17, 2008 - DENVER - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued a notice of violation to CEMEX, alleging various violations of state air quality regulations and operating permit conditions at the company’s Lyons cement plant northwest of Boulder. Continued

Residents should prepare for West Nile Virus

June 13, 2008 - (Boulder, Colo.) - It’s summer again, and with warmer weather residents are spending more time outdoors. Along with outdoor recreational activities comes concern about the risk of West Nile virus (WNV). While drier conditions led to minimal larval activity in the beginning part of May, rains have helped to increase standing water in many areas of the county. Continued

Public Urged to Take Precautions to Avoid Hantavirus

June 4, 2008 - Denver - With the return of summer, state health officials again are warning Coloradans in rural parts of the state to avoid hantavirus exposure while cleaning cabins, buildings, sheds and barns that may have been closed up for winter. Continued

State Health Department to Provide Daily Air Quality Forecasts
This Summer; Critical Ozone Season Begins June 1

May 30, 2008 - DENVER - Daily forecasts and a new and improved Web site will be featured during what is expected to be a critical summer for air quality in the Denver metropolitan area and North Front Range. Continued

Auto Emissions Tests More Stringent

May 5, 2008 - DENVER - Beginning today, cars and light-duty trucks in the seven-county Denver-metropolitan area will have a harder time passing enhanced emissions tests at Air Care Colorado testing facilities, operated by Envirotest, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Continued