About Us

Please Note: Our program name was changed from SHINE to the Environmental Health Assessment Program (EHAP) in 2007, in order to better reflect the work that we do.  EHAP's brochure can be found here (pdf).

History

Oregon's Environmental Health Assessment Program, within the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), was established in 2001 through a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the environmental public health branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). EHAP carries out ATSDR's mandate in Oregon.

Mission

EHAP’s primary goal is to prevent or reduce exposure to hazardous substances from industrial waste sites, unplanned releases of toxic substances, and other sources of pollution present in Oregon's environment. In order to achieve this goal, EHAP:

• reviews environmental and health data related to the site
• examines the risk of adverse human health effects associated with environmental exposures
• educates the community on how to reduce or prevent such exposures
• makes recommendations to environmental agencies and other organizations on steps they can take to reduce exposure in a community

Uncontrolled hazardous waste sites (see glossary) are an important environmental and public health concern. There are numerous hazardous waste sites that affect communities in the United States and in Oregon. EHAP is working to reduce exposures at the sites in Oregon listed on the National Priority List (or Superfund sites) (see glossary) and at other hazardous waste sites that impact communities. 

Partners

EHAP works closely with the following key partners to carry out its mission:

• Communities affected by contamination at a hazardous waste site
• Local health departments
• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry

Program Staff

Program staff are made up of two health assessors, a health educator, and program coordinator.