Environmental Health Investigations Branch

Our Programs

The Environmental Health Investigations Branch (EHIB) of the California Department of Public Health studies and explains how the health of our environment – including our air, buildings, climate, soil, and water – affects our health. Using this information, we inform and partner with others to optimize health in California. The Branch includes the following programs.

Exposure Prevention

Exposure Investigation

Exposure Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is "Environmental Health"?

The "environment" is the world around us. It includes air, water, soil, traffic, climate, and the products we use. "Environmental health" is a branch of science that helps us understand how the environment may affect our health. Environmental health professionals bring this science to partnerships with others to prevent or control illnesses and improve health and quality of life.

What types of projects do we do?

We conduct scientific investigations to improve our understanding of the relationship between environment and health. The results are often published in professional journals. We conduct health assessments by collecting and analyzing information in communities, and reporting back information on community health and concerns and groups at greatest risk. We provide health education to increase awareness and knowledge about how the environment can impact health. We track certain health conditions to systematically collect, analyze, interpret, and distribute health data to assist in public health practice.

What is "Environmental Health Equity"?

Historically low income and/or ethnically and racially diverse neighborhoods often face worse environmental conditions than richer neighborhoods. Poor communities and communities of color are also more likely to face worse health outcomes from the environment than wealthier communities and white communities. “Environmental health equity” seeks to improve how the environment can change health and improve conditions in all California communities, especially those most in need.

How do our programs contribute to "Environmental Health Equity"?

Our programs contribute to Environmental Health Equity by informing all California communities about environmental health hazards. We promote the meaningful involvement of pollution-affected communities through participatory action. Participatory action can include community members helping in the design of health assessments, communications, investigations, and research to reduce exposure to pollution and health inequities. We strive to make scientific and other information available in the languages spoken and the communications styles and methods used by Californians. We often prioritize projects involving low-income and multilingual communities that sometimes have lacked access to government resources.

How can we measure the chemicals in the bodies of Californians?

We measure chemicals in the body by taking samples of people’s blood and urine and then measuring the chemicals that are present. This process is called “Biomonitoring.” These measurements help us determine if a person has been exposed to harmful chemicals. What we learn from biomonitoring studies can be used to help keep harmful chemicals out of our environment and the products we use. Visit our Biomonitoring page to find out more about our projects.

What is "Environmental Epidemiology"?

"Environmental Epidemiology" is the study of the patterns of disease and the exposure to environmental risks. Scientific investigations may stem from follow up of urgent health investigations or they may arise in response to public concerns about environmental hazards and their relationship to chronic disease or adverse reproductive outcomes. They may also address emerging issues identified by the scientific community. Studies can also involve closely following the patterns of a specific disease.

How do "Community Health Studies" help us look at potential links between toxic exposures and illness?

"Community Health Studies" help us look at potential links between environmental exposure to chemicals and health effects in California communities. In order to suggest a link between a toxic exposure and illness, we need to carry out a scientific health study using careful methods of measuring exposure and illness. A disease may be caused by many different factors. It may be difficult to determine that the disease was caused by exposure to contaminant, not other factors.

Page Last Updated : March 11, 2024

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