Environmental Health

The Environmental Health division is responsible for implementing the many public health programs as mandated by the State of New Jersey Department of Health. This includes retail food establishment inspections, swimming pool inspections, plan reviews for retail food establishments and swimming pools/recreational bathing facilities, public health nuisance complaints, lead poisoning investigations, animal exposure investigations, Smoke Free Air Act complaint investigations, tattoo parlor inspections, massage parlor inspections, as well as other program activities.

We also conduct State Department of Environmental Protection mandated activities relating to the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA). These programs include air pollution control, safe drinking water and water pollution control, hazardous materials, noise control, solid waste control, and leaking underground storage tanks.

We monitor the water quality of our bathing beaches through the Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program on a weekly basis from mid-May through the end of September.

Services Provided by the Environmental Health Division:

Recreational Bathing
Swimming pool and whirlpool inspections: Initial operational inspections are conducted for all swimming pools and whirlpools. If the facility receives a Conditionally Satisfactory rating or an Unsatisfactory rating, a re-inspection is conducted to ensure violations have been abated.
Plan Reviews: All new construction and any modifications/alterations for swimming pools and whirlpools require submission of plans. Plans are reviewed, and after approval is given and all other relevant City approvals are granted construction can commence. Prior to opening a pre-operational inspection is conducted.
Complaint investigations: We also respond to and investigate complaints and we conduct accident investigations. If necessary an initial swimming pool/whirlpool inspection is conducted in response to a complaint.

Food Surveillance
Retail Food Establishment Inspections:
A retail food establishment is defined in Chapter 24 of the State Sanitary Code as an operation that stores, prepares, packages, serves, vends or otherwise provides food for human consumption.
Initial operational inspections are conducted for all retail food establishments in the City.
Re-inspections are conducted when establishments are rated Conditionally Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Plan Reviews: All new construction and any modifications/alterations require submission of plans. Plans are reviewed, and after approval is given and all other relevant City approvals are granted, construction can commence. Prior to opening a pre-operational inspection is conducted.

Mobile Vending Unit Inspections: Mobile vending units are inspected prior to operation annually. Units are inspected to ensure they are in compliance with code requirements. When the unit obtains approval a certificate is issued and affixed to the unit.
Temporary Food Establishments: Temporary food establishments are inspected during the event. Prior to the event each vendor is required to complete our Temporary Vendor Application. Operational inspections are conducted at the event.
Food Complaint Investigations: Food complaint investigations are conducted after we receive a report of health related issues regarding a retail food establishment. Should conditions warrant it, a full retail food establishment inspection may be conducted.
Food Borne Illness Investigations: Food borne illness investigations are conducted after we receive a report of an individual(s) with a confirmed food borne illness. We conduct a full inspection and investigation to attempt to identify and halt the source of the food borne illness.
Occupational Health
Our unit investigates complaints from the private and public sectors, and from complaints referred by the New Jersey Department of Health. Investigations/assessments are conducted and appropriate recommendations and referrals are made.

Public Health Nuisance
Our unit investigates complaints regarding public health nuisances. Public health nuisance complaints cover a variety of health related issues including outdoor sewage back-ups, odor complaints, ponding water, and reports of rodents. A Notice of Violation is issued to the property owner when necessary and a re-inspection is conducted to ensure the violation has been abated.

Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality complaints are investigated and responded to by our unit. Complaints include unknown odors and/or gases, carbon monoxide, chemical substances and improper use of pesticides. When necessary a Notice of Violation is issued to the owner. Recommendations are made and re-inspections are conducted to ensure the violation has been abated.
Private workplace complaints are referred to the Occupational Safety and Health Office in Marlton, New Jersey (1-856-757-5181). Public workplace indoor air quality complaints are enforced by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Public Employee Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) program. PEOSH can be contacted at 609-984-1863.

Mold
Our unit receives many complaints and questions regarding mold. Molds are actually fungi which occur naturally in the environment. Molds may become a problem when they begin to grow inside homes and buildings.
Water intrusion caused by excessive moisture is a key ingredient which causes molds to grow. Possible sources of excess moisture include plumbing leaks, leaking roofs or windows, high humidity or flooding. Correcting the source of the water leak and/or excessive moisture is the key to mold/fungal growth from reoccurring.
In New Jersey there is currently no indoor air quality standard – regulation—for airborne mold (spores).
Our unit responds to and investigates mold complaints on a case by case basis. When significant visible mold is observed in a rental unit, a Notice of Violation is issued to the owner and a re-inspection is conducted to ensure the violation has been abated.

Body Art
We conduct operational inspections of body art facilities.
Plans are to be submitted for all new establishments. The plans are reviewed and after the plans have been approved a pre-operational inspection is conducted.
Complaints are investigated in reference to body art establishments.

Rabies Control Program
Animal Exposure Investigations: After we receive a report of an animal bite, we place the animal under confinement. At the end of the full ten day confinement we verify the animal is bright, alert and responsive and release the animal. **Please note Environmental Health does not remove the pet involved in the bite from the home. The Notice of Confinement is a NJ State Health Department form that is left with the pet owner. We advise the pet owner to notify us immediately should the animal become ill during the ten day confinement period.
When required, we collect animal specimens for delivery to the State Lab for rabies analysis.
A free rabies clinic is held annually.

Lead Poisoning Program
After we are notified of an elevated blood lead level in a child, we conduct a lead hazard assessment at the child’s residence. This is accomplished by our New Jersey State licensed lead inspector/risk assessors. As part of this assessment an in-depth questionnaire with the child’s parent/guardian is conducted to help identify any lead exposures/sources for the child. Educational lead poisoning prevention literature is given to the parent/guardian and time is spent with the parent/guardian explaining to them the importance of eliminating lead hazards/exposures to their child. When lead-based paint hazards and/or lead dust hazards are identified a notice of violation is issued to the owner of the property. In most all cases a certified lead abatement contractor must be hired to perform the lead abatement. After the violations have been abated a re-inspection is conducted to ensure compliance has been achieved.

Environmental Health Education
We participate in various health education events including health fairs, career fairs, in-service trainings and community/civic organizations requesting Environmental Health seminars. We participate in many of these events with our Community Health Division. At health fairs and career fairs Environmental Health literature is distributed covering an array of topics including food handling, proper food temperatures, air and water pollution, rabies and many other subjects. Food handling courses have been held for cooks, chefs and management responsible for safe food preparation. A mold seminar was also held. Requests for seminars can be made by contacting the Environmental Health division.

New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act
The Right to Know Act requires those public and private employers covered under the Act to provide information about hazardous substances in the workplace. The Environmental Health unit researches and identifies potential hazardous substances utilized by City employees. Products containing hazardous substances are organized onto Right to Know surveys and submitted to appropriate agencies. This information may also be valuable to emergency response personnel who respond to a fire, hazmat incident or other emergency.

Smoke Free Air Act
Complaints are investigated after we are alerted to violations of the Smoke Free Air Act. This Act became law in April, 2006 and bans smoking in indoor public places and work places. Because this Act exempted the casino floors at casino hotels in the City, in 2008 City Council enacted an ordinance allowing smoking on 25{b238aa80f6fb478c813c604b43f2104f80474c0c2b099c78c16d1c06f5f326ee} of the casino floor.

Communicable Disease Investigation
We conduct an investigation after we receive notification of a communicable disease. Investigations are in-depth in an effort to identify the source of disease and to further prevent / halt the spread of the illness.

Massage Parlor Inspections
In accordance with City ordinance, massage parlors are inspected annually for license renewal.

Kennels, Pet Shops and Shelters
Kennels, pet shops and shelters are inspected annually per State Health Department rules and regulations.

NJDEP Program Activities (County Environmental Health Act – CEHA) include:

Noise Control

Pursuant to the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA), the Inspector certified in noise measurement/enforcement, investigates noise complaints received by citizens, and referred from NJDEP, including those under the Noise Control Act of 1971 and regulations promulgated thereunder. Noise levels are measured by certified staff at the property line of the complainant. The state code addresses noise (decibel) levels between residential and commercial or industrial sources based on the time of day. The State Code does not address noise levels between two residential properties. In Atlantic City however we have adopted the latest model Noise Control Ordinance which addresses residential to residential complaints.
Legal References:
N.J.S.A. 13:1G-1 et seq. – Noise Control Act
N.J.A.C. 7:29-1 et seq.
Chapter 186 of the Code of the city of Atlantic City

Air Pollution Control

Investigate complaints of the State Air Pollution Control Act.
Pursuant to the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA), the Environmental Health Unit inspects and investigates sources of air pollution. The State of New Jersey defines air pollution as follows:

“Air Pollution means the presence in the atmosphere of one or more air contaminants of any composition whatsoever, in such quantities and duration as are, or tend to be, injurious to human health or welfare, animal or plant life, or property, or would unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of life or property within any portion of this State”.

The Environmental Health Unit inspects various facilities that are required to have an Air Pollution Control Permit issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. These include:

Minor Source Facilities includes; Boilers, Emergency Generators, Wood Working Shops, Auto Paint Shops,
and Dry Cleaning Establishments

The Unit also investigates complaints of air pollution received from the public and the NJDEP. These complaints may include open burning and diesel vehicle idling. The Unit may also initiate enforcement actions that include issuance of penalties and signing court complaints.
Legal References:
N.J.S.A. 26:2C-1 et seq. – Air Pollution Control Act
N.J.A.C. 7:27-1 et seq.
Chapter 190 of the Code of the City of Atlantic City.

Water Pollution Control

Because Atlantic City is a barrier island surrounded by water, with all of its storm drainage finding its way into either the Ocean or Bay, it is the job of the Environmental Health Division to investigate all complaints involving water pollution such as sewage over flows and non-point source pollution.
We also investigate potable water complaints from citizens and visitors as well as conduct required inspections of Public Non-Community Water Supplies and assess penalties for failure to test for required parameters or failure to correct violations of Maximum Contaminant Levels.
Legal References:
N.J.A.C. 7:10 – 1.1 et seq. – New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act
N.J.S.A. 58:10A-1 et.seq – Water Pollution Control Act

Ocean Water Sampling Program

To ensure the waters at ocean and bay public beaches are safe to swim in, trained Environmental Health staff sample designated sites in the water along the beaches of Atlantic City. Sampling is performed every week beginning 2 weeks prior to Memorial Day Weekend (our unofficial start of the summer season) and continues through Labor Day and until beaches are no longer being guarded. The waters are tested for enterococcus bacteria under standards that are set by the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS). Samples that exceed the standard of 104 enterococci must be resampled. Consecutive samples that exceed the standard require closing of the beach until a sample is within the standard.

Atlantic City participates in the statewide Coastal Cooperative Monitoring Program (CCMP) that is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) along with the NJDHSS and local environmental health agencies. The local agencies perform the sampling and provide the results to the NJDEP. Results can be obtained at the following link: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/beaches/monitoring_results.htm or call 1-800-633-SWIM.
Legal References:
N.J.A.C. 8:26-1 et seq. – State Sanitary Code Chapter IX – Public Recreational Bathing

Hazardous Substances Control

Pursuant to the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA), the Environmental Health Unit and the Atlantic City Fire Department Hazmat Team responds to releases of hazardous substances. Trained staff provides initial assessment of discharges. If the discharge is emergent in nature the ACFD will take the appropriate action to mitigate the incident. Once that is achieved the Environmental Health Unit continues by coordinating and overseeing the remediation of the contamination by the responsible parties. Discharges from underground storage tanks, motor vehicle accidents and fires / accidents at facilities that store hazardous materials are some examples of the incidents that can occur

All efforts in response to a discharge are coordinated with the Atlantic County Office of Emergency Preparedness (ACOEP) which is the lead County agency that responds to hazardous materials (HAZMAT) emergencies; with the Atlantic County Health Department; and with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Emergency Response.

New Jersey law requires responsible parties to report discharges of hazardous materials immediately to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337).

The Atlantic County Utilities Authority provides household hazardous waste collection days during the year. Click on this link to the Atlantic County Utilities Authority for more information.
Legal References:
N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11f – New Jersey Spill Compensation & Control Act

Solid Waste Control Program

Pursuant to the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA), the Environmental Health Unit mainly investigates complaints of improper solid waste storage, transportation and disposal received from the public and the NJDEP. These complaints may include illegal dumping or burial of solid waste. Anyone with information about the illegal disposal of solid or hazardous waste are urged to call 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337)(24/7), or 1-609-347-5671 (8:30 am to 4:30 pm Mon. – Fri.) or ACPD Communications at 609-347-5780 outside of these hours. The Unit may also initiate enforcement actions that include issuance of penalties and signing court complaints.

For information regarding solid waste disposal, recycling days in your community or dates of the next household hazardous waste collection day, please click www.acua.com to find out about services provided by the Atlantic County Utilities Authority.
Legal References:
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-1 et seq. – Solid Waste Management Act
N.J.A.C. 7:26-1 et seq. – Solid Waste

Underground Storage Tank Program

Pursuant to the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA), the Environmental Health Unit inspects and investigates discharges and potential discharges of hazardous materials that are stored in underground storage tanks. The majority of products contained in UST’s is gasoline, fuel oil and used motor oil. All discharges from UST’s must be reported the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection environmental hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP. Staff inspects UST removals and provides oversight for the remediation of unregulated UST sites (residential).
Legal References:
N.J.S.A. 58:10A-21 et seq.
N.J.A.C. 7:14B-1 et seq. (Underground Storage Tank Rules)
N.J.A.C. 7:26E-1 et seq. (Technical Requirements for Site Remediation)