Information for Idahoans about environmental factors that impact health, and how to maintain healthy environments at home, work, and school.
Learn more about environment health factors and how to manage them. Scroll down to find more information about our up and coming events.
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Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
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Please note that cyanoHAB and swimmer's itch health advisories are dependent on public reporting.
Environment Health Events
soilSHOP and Private Well Water Testing at the Boise Flower and Garden Show
When: Friday, March 24, 2023, from 10am-6pm
Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 10am-6pm
Sunday, March 26, 2023, from 11am-4pm
Where: Boise Flower and Garden Show Boise Centre Boise, ID
Have you ever had your soil screened for lead or your private well water tested for contaminants? Now is the time to do this for free!
Learn if your soil or water is contaminated and how to reduce exposures and protect your family. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and partner agencies will be on-site to provide you education and answer any questions you may have.
Soil Testing
The community is encouraged to bring soil samples from their garden, child’s play area, or other places where you may frequently recreate in a one-quart plastic bag (one sample per bag) and we will screen it for free.
Detailed sample collection:
- It is best practice to wear gloves while collecting your soil sample
- Place sample into a lone-quart plastic bag. It is best if the soil is dry, but if not, we will dry it on site
- Label each bag of soil if you are bringing multiple soil samples
For proper soil collection, please watch this video or view this flyer
For more information on soilSHOPS please visit: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/soilshop/index.html
Water Testing
Bring a water sample of 24 oz. from your private well in a clean plastic container to test for fluoride, nitrate, arsenic, uranium, manganese, and lead. Nitrate and arsenic test strips will be available if you would like to test your water at home. Test strips are a great in determining if more detailed testing should be conducted.
Disclaimer:
Sample results will be posted on the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories interactive ground water map. Details can be found on the Environmental Health Website. You must agree on the Chain of Custody form to allow Idaho Bureau of Laboratories to use testing results in the interactive groundwater map. If you do not agree to this, please visit your local water testing laboratory for information on fees and testing.
*only test results will be displayed on the map, not personal identifiable information.
Why do we want your water results?
- So, we can help keep you and your family safe from harmful contaminants by providing you with education and outreach about your water chemistry and how to fix it.
- To make private well owners aware of existing ground water quality data where you live. Your test results help others in your area determine what they should test for in their well and what to expect.
- Promote and educate you on the importance of regular ground water quality testing because private wells (ground water quality) are not regulated by the State of Idaho.
- Private well owners are responsible for maintaining their well and ensuring the water is safe to drink, which is accomplished through testing.
How to take a water sample:
Improper sampling will result in inaccurate testing results. For proper sampling instructions, please watch our videos on proper sampling.
Click here to watch videos. Videos can be found at the bottom of the page.
Our partners will be there to share information on Childhood Lead, Radon, and Private Well Water.
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) - Public Health
- Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
- Idaho Bureau of Laboratories (IBL)
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
- Soil Screening, Health, Outreach, and Partnership (soilSHOP)
soilSHOP and Private Well Water Testing at the Portneuf Valley Environmental Health Fair
When: Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 11am-3pm
Where: Caldwell Park, Pocatello, ID
Have you ever had your soil screened for lead or your private well water tested for contaminants? Now is the time to do this for free!
Learn if your soil or water is contaminated and how to reduce exposures and protect your family. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and partner agencies will be on-site to provide you education and answer any questions you may have.
Soil Testing
The community is encouraged to bring soil samples from their garden, child’s play area, or other places where you may frequently recreate in a one-quart plastic bag (one sample per bag) and we will screen it for free.
Detailed sample collection:
- It is best practice to wear gloves while collecting your soil sample
- Place sample into a lone-quart plastic bag. It is best if the soil is dry, but if not, we will dry it on site
- Label each bag of soil if you are bringing multiple soil samples
For proper soil collection, please watch this video or view this flyer
For more information on soilSHOPS please visit: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/soilshop/index.html
Water Testing
Bring a water sample of 24 oz. from your private well in a clean plastic container to test for fluoride, nitrate, arsenic, uranium, manganese, and lead. Nitrate and arsenic test strips will be available if you would like to test your water at home. Test strips are a great in determining if more detailed testing should be conducted.
Disclaimer:
Sample results will be posted on the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories interactive ground water map. Details can be found on the Environmental Health Website. You must agree on the Chain of Custody form to allow Idaho Bureau of Laboratories to use testing results in the interactive groundwater map. If you do not agree to this, please visit your local water testing laboratory for information on fees and testing.
*only test results will be displayed on the map, not personal identifiable information.
Why do we want your water results?
- So, we can help keep you and your family safe from harmful contaminants by providing you with education and outreach about your water chemistry and how to fix it.
- To make private well owners aware of existing ground water quality data where you live. Your test results help others in your area determine what they should test for in their well and what to expect.
- Promote and educate you on the importance of regular ground water quality testing because private wells (ground water quality) are not regulated by the State of Idaho.
- Private well owners are responsible for maintaining their well and ensuring the water is safe to drink, which is accomplished through testing.
How to take a water sample:
Improper sampling will result in inaccurate testing results. For proper sampling instructions, please watch our videos on proper sampling.
Click here to watch videos. Videos can be found at the bottom of the page.
Our partners will be there to share information on Childhood Lead, Radon, and Private Well Water.
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) - Public Health
- Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
- Idaho Bureau of Laboratories (IBL)
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
- Soil Screening, Health, Outreach, and Partnership (soilSHOP)
The Environmental Health Program is part of the Idaho Division of Public Health's Bureau of Community and Environmental Health. We partner with local public health districts, state and federal agencies, and community organizations to achieve our mission.
The Environmental Health Program works to improve the overall health and welfare of Idaho’s communities. We are committed to advancing public health by conducting environmental assessments, protecting children’s environmental health, promoting asthma management and education, and developing fish consumption advisories.
Idaho is fortunate to have an abundance of this precious natural resource; yet, our water can become contaminated and threaten the health of those who consume or recreate in it. The Environmental Health Program is committed to promoting healthy and safe water through education and awareness including fish consumption advisories, well water testing, and harmful algal blooms (HABs).
Since breathing clean air is fundamental for good health, the Environmental Health Program works to protect Idahoans’ air quality through education, awareness and collaborations with other agencies and organizations. Poor air quality or indoor radon can worsen existing health problems and create dangerous respiratory conditions for vulnerable groups. We provide education for protecting health during poor air quality days and promote preventative action for asthma management and radon testing.
The condition and location of housing affects the health of the people who live inside. A quality home can support wellness, while prevent disease and injury. The Environmental Health Program promotes healthy homes by providing education and resources about potential public health issues found in homes.