DHEC’s Seasonal Water Quality Monitoring at S.C. Beaches Begins May 1
Sampling at 122 sites helps DHEC check ocean water quality during busy beach season, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — To help keep South Carolina beaches a favorite destination during the summer months, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is soon beginning its seasonal monitoring of water quality along the coast. Every state with ocean-facing beaches performs beach water monitoring to help detect instances of elevated…, said Bryan Rabon, Manager of Aquatic Science Programs with DHEC’s Bureau of Water., “A swimming advisory doesn’t mean a beach is closed, it just means that particular area of ocean water should be avoided until the bacteria levels return to normal. Most short-term swimming advisories last just a single day.” DHEC tests ocean water for Enterococci bacteria, which are naturally found in warm-blooded animals, including humans. However, high levels of Enterococci in water indicate…, Short-term swimming advisories, typically last one to two days and are issued when two consecutive water samples exceed the state water quality standard of 104 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters (104 CFU/100mL). Often, short-term swim advisories due to elevated bacteria levels are issued after heavy rains when rainwater washes pollutants into the ocean., Long-term swimming advisories, are issued year-round for areas that have an increased possibility of high bacteria levels, typically where stormwater from pipes or small creeks flows across the beach and into the ocean. Signs posted at these locations provide information about the potential of high bacteria levels. Locations with long-term advisories are reevaluated at the beginning of each year. “We don’t always know the…, Rabon said., “It’s considered safe to wade, collect shells and fish within a swimming advisory area, but we advise people who enter the water in an affected area to refrain from swallowing it, and we also advise people with open wounds or compromised immune systems to avoid contact with the water in a swim advisory area.” In 2020, DHEC worked collaboratively with the City of Myrtle Beach, the Myrtle Beach…DHEC Collects 430 Pounds of Food for Harvest Hope During National Nutrition Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 13, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — In celebration of National Nutrition Month in March, the, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)’, s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program (SNAP-Ed) organized the donation of 430 pounds of canned food and other items to Harvest Hope Food Bank. Donated items included canned meat, soup and vegetables, peanut butter, mac & cheese, dry beans, paper goods, pop-top foods, pasta, rice, cereal, jelly, and more. Food boxes were set up at Midlands DHEC locations as well as the…, Megan Evans, marketing and communications specialist for Harvest Hope, . “The donation that we received will go directly to our neighbors who need it the most. We truly couldn’t do this necessary work without the support of our generous donors, supporters, and volunteers.” National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created 50 years ago in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making…, Farrah Wigand, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP-Education Dietitian., “One in 10 South Carolinians are affected by hunger, so collecting food on behalf of those who need it was an easy way for us to take action to help our communities.” Harvest Hope is South Carolina’s largest food bank, providing more than 20 million meals on average to the communities that we serve across 20 counties in the Midlands, Upstate and Pee Dee areas. Harvest Hope works with over 300…DHEC Joins National Efforts to Discourage Food Waste, Address Food Insecurity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — As Food Waste Prevention Week is celebrated nationally for the first time, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is reminding residents of simple steps they can take at home to limit the negative economic, environmental, and social impacts of wasted food. Food Waste Prevention Week (April 10-16) aims to…, said Myra Reece, DHEC Director of Environmental Affairs., “Most food waste occurs at home, so taking the initiative to first realize the amount of food a home tosses into the trash can lead to smart food habits that create a more sustainable future.” Food is the number one item thrown away by Americans each year, resulting in up to 40% of the nation’s food supply not being consumed and an annual loss of more than $200 billion. Wasted food squanders the…, Plan your meals and shop smart., Use what you have at home first. Make a list of what you need and stick to it., Prep smart and store smart., Prepare perishable food soon after shopping so it doesn’t have time to spoil. Consider meal prepping. Freeze items. Remember FIFO: first in, first out. Be mindful of storage specifics, especially for produce. , Learn about date labels., Food doesn’t magically spoil on label dates. , Love your leftovers., If dining out, take your leftovers home. Be creative to make new meals from extras., Donate non-perishable items, . One in 10 South Carolinians faces hunger, according to Feeding America. Find a food bank location near you. To learn more about Food Waste Prevention Week, visit foodwastepreventionweek.com. To learn more about Don’t Waste Food SC, visit https://des.sc.gov/community/recycling-waste-reduction/dont-waste-food-sc . Follow Don’t Waste Food SC’s handle “@dontwastefoodsc” on Instagram and Facebook…DHEC Employees Receive Statewide Recognition for Outstanding Contributions to Public Health and Environmental Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 7, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Public Health Association (SCPHA) recently recognized employees with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for their outstanding contributions in protecting public health and advocating for environmental justice. Five DHEC employees were presented with awards of recognition during the…, Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director,, provided remarks as a guest presenter during the conference, focusing on the importance of reaffirming public trust in the scientific and medical communities. DHEC award recipients include:, Dr. Linda J. Bell,, State Epidemiologist and director of DHEC’s Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, received the Michael D. Jarrett Excellence in Customer Service Award, Keisha D. Long,, DHEC’s Environmental Justice Coordinator, received the Environmentalist of the Year Award, Regina Nesmith-Dimery,, Community Health Educator with DHEC’s Pee Dee Region, received the Lucinda Thomas Award, Rich P. Timmons,, Region Financial Manager for DHEC’s Midlands Public Health Region, received the President’s Award, Vinita Leedom,, Manger of DHEC's SC Birth Defects Program, received the Maternal and Child Health Catalyst Award SCPHA photos “I couldn’t be prouder of the work Linda, Keisha, Vinita, Regina and Rich do to achieve DHEC’s mission of healthy people in healthy communities,”, said Dr. Simmer., “They embody every aspect of public service and devote their careers to protecting the health and wellbeing of our residents and our natural resources – both of which are irreplaceable. We thank the South Carolina Public Health Association for giving them this well-deserved recognition.” Founded in 1921, SCPHA is a statewide non-profit organization aimed at advancing the profession by serving…DHEC Receives Top Federal Ratings for Oversight of South Carolina’s Radiation Control Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC) oversight of radioactive material use in South Carolina successfully meets all federal standards and requirements for protecting public health and safety, according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRC) . The NRC has completed its most recent review of South…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director., “I’m proud of our team for their successful management of South Carolina’s Radiation Control Program. They have a critical role in making sure our state’s businesses and industries that use potentially hazardous materials as part of their operations do so with the utmost regard to protecting the health and safety of their staff, surrounding communities, and all South Carolinians.” Because South…DHEC Receives EPA Approval of Updates to Statewide Strategy for Protecting Drinking Water
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 14, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has received federal authorization of its updates to the statewide drinking water capacity development strategy. This water capacity development plan is one of the ways that DHEC ensures South Carolina’s drinking water systems provide safe drinking water to their…, wrote EPA Regional Administrator Daniel Blackman in a Feb. 7 approval letter., “Region 4 looks forward to continued cooperation with SCDHEC in implementing the updated strategy and in ensuring a safe drinking water supply to customers of public water systems in the State.” America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) is a federal law enacted in 2018 to provide for several water infrastructure improvements throughout the country. Recently approved updates to South Carolina’s…, said Myra Reece, DHEC Director of Environmental Affairs., “We appreciate the ongoing support of our state’s public drinking water suppliers for incorporating the necessary components of our capacity development strategy and ensuring their water meets all national and state standards.” There are 2,524 public drinking water suppliers in South Carolina, all of which are regulated by DHEC to ensure they comply with applicable state and federal standards for…SUPERB Advisory Committee to Meet Feb. 6
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 2, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. - The State Underground Petroleum Environmental Response Bank (SUPERB) Act Advisory Committee will meet on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 10 a.m. in Room No. 3620, 2600 Bull St., Columbia, S.C. The agenda is available here . ###DHEC Awards Twenty South Carolina Schools as ‘Champions of the Environment’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Jan. 13, 2023, COLUMBIA, S.C., – Twenty South Carolina schools were chosen to receive grants that will support the education of the next generation of environmental stewards, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced today. “Champions of the Environment” awards are issued each school year to foster environmental education and action in South Carolina’s classrooms, from kindergarten through 12th…, said Amanda Ley, DHEC’s coordinator for the Champions of the Environment program, . “This is the largest number of projects we’ve awarded in the program’s history.” Ten schools won $2,500, four schools won $2,000, and six schools were awarded $1,000. This year’s projects include gardens, habitat restoration projects, litter prevention, citizen science, waste management, and alternate energy sources. The 2022-23 Champions of the Environment winners are: $2,500 winners Ashley…DHEC Salutes Law Enforcement Agents on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 9, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― January 9 is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) would like to thank the agency’s law enforcement agents – and all members of law enforcement – during this day of recognition. DHEC has two law enforcement units: the Bureau of Drug Control within the Healthcare…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director., “On behalf of the agency, I’d like to thank our agents, and law enforcement officers across our state and nation, for their dedication to public service and to the protection of people, our communities, and our natural resources.” DHEC’s Bureau of Drug Control (BDC) serves a regulatory role as well as provides enforcement of the South Carolina Controlled Substances Act. These agents are…DHEC Spotlights Free Radon Test Kit Program during National Radon Action Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 4, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― January is National Radon Action Month, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is encouraging South Carolinians to become familiar with the risks of radon when it’s present inside a home. Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air, but radon can reach…, said Rhonda Thompson, Chief of DHEC’s Bureau of Air Quality., “The only way to know if a home has high radon levels is to test.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year nationally. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the country after smoking, and the health risks from radon are greater for smokers. “South Carolina has nationally certified radon contractors…, said Ryan Lutz, Environmental Health Manager with DHEC’s Radon Program., “Links to lists of credentialed radon professionals and other resources on radon mitigation and choosing a radon contractor can be found online at https://des.sc.gov/programs/bureau-air-quality/air-pollution/radon." The South Carolina Radon Program offers, one free radon test kit per home, that can be requested at https://des.sc.gov/programs/bureau-air-quality/air-pollution/radon. Radon test kits can also be purchased from the National Radon Program ( www.sosradon.org , 1-800-767-7236) for $17. For more information about radon, visit https://des.sc.gov/programs/bureau-air-quality/air-pollution/radon, email radon@dhec.sc.gov , or call 1-800-768-0362 . ###