Environmental Health News & Alerts
2007
Lead Found in Toys
This year the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Division,
charged with ensuring the safety of consumer goods, has
issued several toy recalls due to unsafe levels of lead
found in the paint and plastics of certain toys. Children
may be exposed to through their normal hand-to-mouth
activity. Only a certified laboratory can accurately test a
toy for lead. Although do-it-yourself kits are available,
according to the Center for Disease Control, they do not
indicate how much lead is present and their reliability at
detecting low levels of lead has not been determined. If you
have any reason to suspect that your child has been exposed
to a toy containing lead, remove the toy immediately. Most
children with elevated blood lead levels have no symptoms.
The only way to tell is to have a blood lead test. Your
health care provider can help you obtain a test and can
recommend treatment if your child has been exposed.
Annual Wintertime High Pollution Advisory Program Debuts with New Web
Address; First Color-Coded Advisory to be Issued on Oct. 31
October 30, 2007—Denver—The Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment’s Air Pollution Control
Division is debuting a new address on the
Internet,
http://coloradoairquality.info, to coincide with
the start of
the annual High Pollution Advisory Program. Division
meteorologists will issue the first color-coded air
pollution advisory of the 2007-2008 season at 4 p.m. on
Wednesday, Oct. 31.
More.
Coloradans Urged to Check Freezers for Recalled Banquet and Generic Store Brand Frozen Pot Pies Associated With Salmonella Outbreak
October 17, 2007—Denver—State consumer protection
officials Wednesday urged Colorado residents to check their
freezers for recalled ConAgra frozen pot pie products that
may be linked to an outbreak of salmonellosis.
More.
Los Angeles Salad Company
Recalls Genuine Sweet Baby Carrots
August 23, 2007—Denver — Los Angeles Salad Company, City of Industry, Calif., is
recalling its “Genuine Sweet Baby Carrots” distributed by Kroger
Company in King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado due to
potential contamination with Shigella.
More.
Massachusetts Firm Recalls Frozen Turkey Corn Dogs Due to Undeclared
Allergen
August 16, 2007—Denver
—Ian’s Natural Foods, a Revere, Mass.,
establishment, is
voluntarily recalling approximately 12,900 pounds of frozen
turkey
products because they may contain nonfat milk, a known
allergen, which
is not stated on the label. Individuals with an allergy or sensitivity to milk could
experience an
allergic reaction if they consume this product. State health
officials
urged consumers who have purchased the product and who are
allergic or
sensitive to milk not to eat the product and discard any
that remains. More.
First Death from West Nile Virus in Boulder County This
Season:
Officials warn that risk of infection remains high
August 15, 2007—Boulder, CO—Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) has
confirmed the first death from West Nile virus (WNV) in
Boulder County for the 2007 season; it is the third death
from WNV in Colorado this year. Previous deaths in Boulder
County from WNV include one in 2006 and seven in 2003.
More.
Hantavirus Deaths Reported in Three More Colorado Counties—Coloradans Urged to Take Precautions
July 17, 2007—Denver—The Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed
three hantavirus pulmonary syndrome deaths in the past five
days, one each in rural Custer, Costilla and Park counties.
Investigations are being conducted to determine the source
of each hantavirus exposure. This brings the number of
hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases in Colorado in 2007 to
six, with four deaths.
More.
Boulder County Public Health Asking for Input about
Septic Systems
May 29, 2007, Boulder - In Boulder County there are
over 14,000 households that use septic systems for the
treatment of wastewater. In essence, they are each operating
a miniature wastewater treatment system in their backyards
without any ongoing monitoring of effectiveness. Of these
systems, 4,700 (that's nearly 33%) have not been approved to
ensure their design and installation meet the specific site
requirements to achieve safe treatment of wastewater.
More
Fleas Test Positive for Plague in Boulder County
May 14, 2007, Boulder- A sample of fleas
collected by Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) on Tuesday,
May 8, from prairie dog colonies located near 63rd Street
and the Diagonal Highway (CO 119) have tested positive for
plague. The area, near the base of the Boulder Reservoir dam
and adjacent to the City of Boulder Water Treatment Plant,
has been posted with signs, and some prairie dog burrows
will be dusted with a pesticide to reduce the likelihood of
plague exposure from fleas.
More
Tick-Tock, It’s Time to Prepare for Tick Season
May 10, 2007, Denver — As hikers and other outdoor
enthusiasts begin to head into the state’s high country, the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Thursday reminded mountain visitors to take precautions
against ticks. More
EPA presents Environmental Achievement Award to the Keep it
Clean Partnership
 April
11, 2007, Boulder - On Tuesday, April 10, the Keep it Clean
Partnership, formerly known as the Watershed Approach to
Stream Health (WASH) Project, was awarded the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8's
"Environmental Achievement Award." The award recognizes
communities for their significant achievements in protection
of public health or the environment.
More
Use
Caution When Opening Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs for the
Season
March 19, 2007, Denver – Swimming pool and hot tub
disinfectants (such as chlorine, bromine and compounds
containing copper) and most other maintenance and cleaning
agents are harmful to fish and aquatic life and should be
prevented from entering streams, rivers, ponds or lakes.
More
2006
Local Public Health
Officials Agree with Significant Penalty to CEMEX
December 27, 2006, Boulder, CO – Boulder County
Public Health (BCPH) officials stated Wednesday that one of
the largest ever penalties levied in Colorado for air
quality violations against Cemex, Inc is appropriate.
More
CEMEX to
Pay for Significant Violations of Air Quality Permit
December 22, 2006, DENVER – The Air
Pollution Control Division of the Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment has resolved a significant air
quality enforcement matter with CEMEX, Inc. for $1.5
million. The penalty stems from permit violations at the
CEMEX portland cement manufacturing plant in Lyons, Colo.
More
Boulder County Launches Sustainability Initiative
December 2006, Boulder County — To support its commitment to a
sustainable environment, Boulder County has created the Sustainability
Initiative website. At this site, you can learn about what Boulder
County is doing to conserve energy and resources, reduce greenhouse
gases, minimize waste and safeguard our air and water. You can also
learn how you can contribute to a sustainable community, whether as an
individual or as a business. More
First Human Death from
West Nile Virus in Boulder County
September 27, 2006, Boulder County — Boulder County Public
Health (BCPH) confirmed the first death from West Nile virus (WNV) in
Boulder County for the 2006 season. It is the third death from WNV in
Colorado this year. The 43-year-old Boulder County man reported he
first became ill around September 12. He developed encephalitis as a
result of the virus and died on September 25.
More
FDA Warning on Serious Foodborne E.coli O157:H7 Outbreak: One Death and Multiple Hospitalizations in Several States
September 15, 2006 — The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is issuing an alert to consumers about
an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in multiple states that may
be associated with the consumption of produce. To date,
preliminary epidemiological evidence suggests that bagged
fresh spinach may be a possible cause of this outbreak.
More
West
Nile Virus Cases in Boulder County Jump to More than 50
September 15, 2006, Boulder County — Less than six weeks after the first
human case of West Nile virus (WNV) was confirmed in Boulder County
for 2006, the number of reported cases has now reached 55, with more
cases still under investigation. As of September 12, 165 human cases
of WNV have been reported statewide this year.
More
West Nile Virus Cases in Boulder County
Jump to Twenty
August 29, 2006, Boulder County — Less than four weeks
after the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) was
confirmed in Boulder County for 2006, the number of
confirmed cases has now reached 20, with two cases still
under investigation. As of August 28, 80 human cases of
WNV have been reported statewide this year.
More
Concerns for West Nile Virus Highest Since 2003: Residents Urged to Take Precautions
July 27, 2006, Boulder, CO — Seven mosquito
pools collected on Sunday night have tested positive for West Nile
virus (WNV), raising the total to eleven positive samples this summer.
This is the highest number of positive mosquito pools identified since
2003, when 420 residents of Boulder County were reported with WNV
infection. More
Individuals Who Dropped Off
Bat With Rabies May Have Been Exposed
July 24, 2006, Golden, CO - Jefferson County officials are
seeking information about a man who dropped off a bat at a local
veterinary office on Friday afternoon that has tested positive for
rabies. More
Public Health Study Warns About the Long-Term
Effects of West Nile Virus: Second mosquito pool confirmed positive
July 18, 2006, Boulder, CO — Just as Boulder County Public Health (BCPH)
and Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) publish a study revealing the
considerable extent and ongoing harmful effects of the disease, the
second mosquito pool for 2006 is confirmed positive for West Nile
virus (WNV) in Boulder County.
More
First Mosquito Pool Positive for West Nile Virus: Threat is serious as mosquito season continues
July 12, 2006, Boulder, CO – Late yesterday Boulder County
Public Health (BCPH) confirmed the first mosquito sample positive for
West Nile virus (WNV) this season. The positive mosquito sample was
part of a pooled sample from 6 mosquito traps collected from various
areas within the city of Longmont. Mosquitoes from these 6 traps will
be individually tested during the next trapping cycle.
More
Rabid Bats a Risk to Humans and Pets
July 6, 2006, Boulder, CO – Boulder County Public
Health (BCPH) is warning residents not to handle bats after
three tested positive for rabies in Boulder County so far
this summer. One person was treated for exposure to a bat
that had tested positive for the disease.
More
Plague Continues to Appear In Boulder County
June 28, 2006, Boulder — Less than two weeks
after the last sample was confirmed positive for plague, two more
samples have tested positive for the disease in Boulder County, bringing
the total of positive samples so far this season to seven.
More
Seasonal Diseases Hit Boulder County Animals
June 14, 2006, Boulder — Two squirrels and one
prairie dog tested positive for rodent diseases in Boulder County today.
Two squirrels in Lafayette have been confirmed positive for tularemia,
and one prairie dog in Boulder has tested positive for plague.
More
First Boulder County Child Care Facility Certified
for Environmental Excellence
June 14, 2006, Boulder, CO — The Partners for A Clean
Environment (PACE) Program recently certified Lyons Community Montessori
for its efforts to protect the health of the environment, its employees,
and the children in its care. The PACE Program is a voluntary program
that provides educational outreach and technical assistance to
businesses to help them achieve environmental excellence. Businesses
receive PACE certification after meeting industry-specific criteria
designed to address the environmental concerns unique to each business
type. More
Boulder County receives $200K from EPA to
remediate Argo mine site: Project will reduce metals impacts to Little James Creek in
the Lefthand Watershed
May 17, 2006 — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
presented Boulder County with a $200,000 EPA Brownfields
cleanup grant yesterday for the 13.7-acre Argo mine site near
Jamestown. The grant will fund a three-year project to remove
potential contamination sources and improve water quality in
the Lefthand watershed, which is the primary drinking supply
for the 18,000 customers of the Left Hand Water District.
More
EPA, CDPHE Asthma Program
Launch Air Quality Notification System for Denver: EPA’s EnviroFlash Provides Customized, Personal Air
Quality Alert
May 17, 2006, Denver, CO — The Denver metropolitan area
is joining a growing list of communities across the nation participating
in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) EnviroFlash air
quality notification service.
More
Public Health to
Monitor Air Quality in Boulder County
April 2006 - Boulder, CO — Boulder
County Public Health (BCPH), will begin monitoring forty air
toxics at five locations throughout the county beginning this
winter, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. The last monitoring study in Boulder
County, conducted in 1996, provided monitoring of just three
air toxins at two Boulder County and one Denver location. This
study found that concentrations of the pollutants studied were
significantly higher in Boulder than in Denver.
More
Report
Compares Human Health Risk of West Nile Virus Versus Pesticide
Exposure
March 2006, From Report: West Nile virus (WNV) has been a major
public health concern in North America since 1999, when the first
outbreak in the Western Hemisphere occurred in New York City. As a
result of this ongoing disease outbreak, management of mosquitoes ,,,
has necessitated using insecticides... This has resulted in concerns
by the public about the risks from insecticide use. The objective of
this study was to use reasonable worst-case risk assessment
methodologies to evaluate human-health risks for WNV and the
insecticides most commonly used to control adult mosquitoes.
More
(PDF 142 KB)
Onsite
Wastewater System (OWS) Fees will be Increasing
February 2006, Boulder County - Effective April 1st
onsite wastewater system (OWS) permitting fees will increase.
This includes new, major repair, renewal, and other permits.
This increase was approved by the Boulder County Board of
Health at its February 13, 2006
meeting.
The Board is authorized by state law to recover costs directly
associated with OWS permitting activities. Residents are
encouraged to review and complete their permitting in advance
of the fee increase.
More
Public Health
Seeks Radon Mitigation Volunteers
February
2006, Boulder County - Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) has
received a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment (CDPHE) to research radon in Boulder County.
More
Prevention, Identification,
& Cleanup of Meth Labs
February, Boulder, CO — Boulder County
Health (BCPH) works closely with other local
agencies and community members to keep reduce the public health impacts
of Meth labs in Boulder County. More
Governor Proclaims January Radon Action Month
January, Denver, CO - On January 4,
2006, Colorado Governor Bill Owens issued a proclamation
declaring January Radon Action Month. Radon is a naturally
occurring, invisible, odorless gas that is harmlessly
dispersed in outdoor air, but when trapped in buildings, can
be harmful at elevated levels.
More
Plague identified in Louisville
January 3, 2006 — Louisville, CO — A domestic
cat living in the 700 block of West Street in Louisville has
tested positive for plague. The positive test result was
reported to Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) on Friday,
December 30th, after initial notification from a local
veterinarian’s office. This newest positive test result
comes after a summer season of multiple animal plague cases
identified throughout the county.
More
2005
Water Commission to
Reconsider Drilling Discharge Regulations
December 27, Denver — The Colorado Water Quality Control Commission
has scheduled a public rulemaking hearing for 10 a.m. on Monday, January 9,
to consider potential revisions to the Colorado Discharge Permit System
Regulations relating to stormwater runoff from petroleum drilling activities
throughout the state. More
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the Rise Despite Increased
Signs of Global Climate Change
December, 2005 — New reports show that while 2005 set
records for high temperatures, melting ice caps, and
destructive storms – all harbingers of global climate change
– U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are expected to skyrocket
(by more than 37 percent) over the next 25 years.
More
Armour Lunch Makers Meals
Recalled Due To Possible Listeria Contamination
December 13, 2005, Denver –The Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment Tuesday urged individuals, who may have purchased Armour
Brand Turkey, Ham, Bologna and Chicken Lunch Makers Meals at any Safeway,
Albertsons or Walgreens locations in Colorado, to check the packages for
specific code information because of potential contamination with Listeria
monocytogenes. More
Discard Some Containers of Harry & David Olive Tapenade
November 2005, Colorado — The Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment Thursday urged individuals,
who may have purchased Black and Kalamata Olive Tapenade, at
any Harry & David retail location since September 16 to to
check their containers for specific code information because
of potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum.
More
First Case of West Nile Virus in the County is a Reminder
to Keep Your Guard Up
August 25, 2005, Boulder – Boulder County Public
Health (BCPH) has confirmed the county’s first human
case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in 2005.
More
Residents reminded not to handle bats due to
rabies threat
August 12th, 2005 County - Boulder County Public Health
(BCPH) is warning residents not to handle bats after nine local bats tested
positive for rabies and five people were treated for exposure this summer.
More
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