Environmental Epidemiology Section

The Environmental Epidemiology Section supports state and local environmental public health programs through surveillance, assessment, analysis, and interpretation of health outcome and environmental exposure data. This includes epidemiologic investigations of reported disease clusters and the use of statistical and spatial analytic techniques to characterize environmental and population risk factors. We lead development of the Washington Tracking Network (WTN) and manage the state's radon program. Our staff also complete evaluations of environmental contaminants and toxins, site assessments, and develop fish advisories.

Topics

  • Environmental Toxicology - We evaluate potential health impacts from environmental contaminants. Learn more about our Fish Advisories and Site Assessments.
  • Radon - We increase awareness about radon as a public health issue, develop maps that show radon risk, and provide targeted testing assistance.
  • Washington Tracking Network – We maintain and lead in development of the Washington Tracking Network (WTN), a Center for Disease Control and Prevention funded program. The goal of WTN is to improve public and partner web access to public health and environmental data. Receive updates and information by joining our WTN email list.

Resources We Provide the Agency

  • Cluster Outbreak Investigation – We use GIS and spatial analysis when responding to requests from communities to investigate disease clusters.
  • Data Analysis and Trending – We focus on surveillance of childhood lead poisoning cases, displaying environmental and health outcome data in a public portal, and investigating and characterizing acute and chronic public health impacts due to air pollution.
  • Environmental Public Health Data Expertise – We support state and local environmental public health programs through surveillance, assessment, analysis, and interpretation of health outcomes and environmental data.
  • Epidemiologic Support – Using health and environmental surveillance data, we provide technical support for developing public health policies and strategies to protect public health.
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – Using the GIS tool we view and manage information about geographic places, analyze spatial relationships, and model spatial processes. This allows us to analyze geographical variations and distributions of disease in relation to environmental, demographic, behavioral, and socioeconomic risk factors.
  • Spatial Analysis – We examine the locations, attributes, and relationships of features in spatial data to address questions about cluster outbreaks, examine the relationship between exposures and disease across space and time, and to determine or compare disease risks in populations based on their locations.
  • Survey and Evaluation Planning and Implementation – Collaborate with program and data partners to design, develop, and implement survey collection and evaluation activities.