Environmental Health

On this page:

Environmental hazards Lead Air Radon

Water Commissions and districts Ground water and wells/testing Storm, sewer and subsurface wastewater Water research

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Environmental hazards

• Environmental Hazards - Learn about potential hazards in and around your home.
• Landfill Remediation and Closure Program - Information on landfills that pose hazards to public health and the environment
  • Hazardous Waste/Universal Waste - State regulations for the safe management and transportation of hazardous wastes.
• Maine Board of Pesticides Control - Information for anyone interested in the health and development of young children and their families.
  

• Lead

  • Childhood Lead Program - Identifying and helping children with elevated blood lead levels.
  • Creating a Lead Safe Home - A lead-safe home is a home in which there are no lead hazards. Lead hazards include lead-based paint in poor condition, lead-based paint on friction surfaces such as doors and windows, high levels of lead in exposed soil, and lead in drinking water.
  • Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory - Individual specimen testing and epidemiological mapping and statistical analysis.
  • Lead Hazard Protection - Exposure to lead in paint, dust, soil and water can cause lead poisoning in both children and adults, with children under six years of age being particularly vulnerable.

• Air

  • Air Quality Index - The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality, developed by the EPA. It tells citizens how clean or polluted their air is, and what associated health concerns they should be aware of.
  • Air Toxics Program - Disseminating data about air toxics in Maine.
  • Air Quality - Information on acid rain, ozone, climate change, ultraviolet radiation, science and data, particle pollution health information and related links.
  • Regional Haze - "Haze" consists of particles, smoke, dust and moisture suspended in the air that impairs visibility. "Regional Haze" refers to haze that impairs visibility in all directions uniformly.
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• Radon

  • Radon - Testing for radon in air and water, registered testing companies, laboratories and mitigation contractors.

Water

• Ground water and wells/testing

  • Maine Geological Survey - Approximately 90% of the rural population in Maine obtain their water from wells, and ground water is a significant source for municipal and industrial water supplies.
  • The Water Toxics Rule - Rules concerning water quality criteria for the discharge of toxic pollutants to surface waters of the State.
  • Water Testing Guide - To test your water, complete the application form on this site.
  • Well Water Quality - Advice to private well owners on well water safety, including help interpreting well water tests by phone (toll-free)

• Storm, sewer and subsurface wastewater

  • Combined Sewer Overflow - Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) occur when wastewater and stormwater runoff overflows the sewer collection system before receiving treatment.
  • Stormwater - Information about stormwater pollution and prevention.
  • Subsurface Wastewater Program - Information, permits, site inspections, etc.

• Water research

  • Environmental and Watershed Research - Has a diverse interdisciplinary mission focusing on environmental research.

• Maine water commission

  • Maine Public Utilities Commission - The primary purpose of the water utilities is to supply water for fire protection and clean drinking water to customers.
  • Maine Water Districts - Maine water utilities by location.
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