Environmental Health

Responsibilities

Environmental health is the status of our physical surroundings, including the air we breathe, the land we use, and the water we drink. The Environmental Health Section protects us from contamination of our food and water, ensures safety where we live, work and play and obtains “Right to Know” data about the potential harm of products used in the community and work place. Inspection, investigation, environmental response and enforcement of environmental health regulations are key to safeguarding the public’s health.

Complaint Form

Submit a complaint using the Health Department Complaint Form (PDF)

For Mosquito complaints in low lying areas, stagnant water containers or tires complete the Mosquito Control Complaint Form (PDF).

Resources

  1. New Fees for Retail Food, Body Art, Bathing Places and Mobile/Temporary Establishments (PDF)

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: 
Lead Sampling in School Facilities

Get Past Plastics 
New Jersey government implements plastic bag ban, starting May 2022
U.S. Department of Environmental Protection, Get past plastic FAQs website, click here.  

Questions about Bags?
Where do I need to bring one? Click here to see an easy to read chart (PDF). 

New Bag Mandate Table

Consumer Health Program

Public Recreational Bathing

Kennels, Pet Shops, Pounds & Shelter Programs

Public Health Nuisance Program

The Burlington County Health Department is delegated by the Health Officer to enforce the NJ Public Health Nuisance Code (1953). Activities include complaint investigations and re-inspections until all violations are abated of alleged nuisance conditions such as, but not limited to: poison ivy, stagnant water, mosquitoes, animal feces, rats, garbage, unsanitary conditions, etc. Other activities include hearings, violation notices and/or court complaints, with possible fines administered by municipal court. 

Smoke Free Air Act

On April 15, 2006, the “New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act” (Act), N.J.S.A. 26:3D-55 et seq., took effect.The Act prohibits smoking in an indoor public place or workplace and prohibits smoking in any building or on the grounds of a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school, regardless of whether the area is indoors or outdoors.

The Act and the Smoke-Free Air Rules of the Department of Health and Senior Services at N.J.A.C. 8:6 implementing the Act require this establishment to direct a person smoking in violation of the Act to stop smoking.In January, 2010, an amendment was passed, which banned the use of electronic smoking devices - "e-cigarettes" - in indoor public places and workplaces and the sale to people 19 years and younger. The amended law became effective March 13, 2010.

NJ Department of Health Tobacco Regulations

NJ Department of Environmental Protection

Environmental Health Programs

Environmental Health is a branch of Public Health that focuses on the relationships between people and their environment, promoting community health and well-being. 

Our staff strives to prevent illness and foster healthy communities through inspections of various types of facilities, investigations of complaints and monitoring of our air and water supply. 

Enforcement of regulations under many different program areas helps us, to keep our environment in Burlington County healthy and safe.

More information about the following programs can be found at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection website.

Housing

The Burlington County Health Department is contracted to investigate housing complaints under the NJ State Housing Code (NJAC58:28-1.1) in all municipalities, except the following: Bass River Township, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Medford Lakes, Mt. Holly Township, Pemberton Township and Willingboro Township.  These municipalities have their own housing inspectors.  For further information visit these links.

Lead Program

The Burlington County Health Department Lead Inspectors / Risk Assessors conduct childhood lead poisoning investigations alongside public health nurses to determine contributing factors to the lead poisoning in children ages 0-72 months within and around residential properties. If you are concerned over your child’s exposure to lead, contact your local pediatrician and have him or her tested.
Please see the links below for additional, valuable information. 

 Resources

  1. Healthy Homes Training - Contaminants (PDF)
  2. Healthy Homes Training - Home Safety (PDF)
  3. Healthy Homes Training- Mold and Mildew (PDF)
  4. Healthy Homes Training- Pests and Pesticides (PDF)
  5. Is It Your Home?

Community Right-to-Know Program

The Burlington County Health Department (BCHD) partners with the New Jersey Department of Health, through a grant to implement a County Right-To-Know program. 

The Community Right to Know Act requires public and private employers covered under the law to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. 

Employers must submit Right-To-Know surveys to various state, county and municipal agencies indicating the type and amount of hazardous substances that are stored at their facility.

These surveys not only provide employees with important information about their workplace but also provide response personnel critical information in the event of a fire or other emergency.

The BCHD maintains a central file of Right-To-Know surveys from these workplaces. Outreaches to public and private employers are made by staff either in person or by phone. Legal References: N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1 et seq. N.J.A.C. 7:1G-1 et seq. (Private employers) N.J.A.C. 8:59-1 et seq. (Public employers) For further information visit the following links: