DHEC Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for State’s New Public Health and Environmental Laboratory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 7, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― Today, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) held a groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of the state of South Carolina’s $116.5 million Public Health and Environmental Laboratory. The 140,000 square-foot facility, scheduled to open in the fall of 2026, will replace the existing state laboratory built…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC director, . “The challenges that the old lab presented have all been remarkably addressed in this design, which will not only allow us to increase the volume and quality of testing services we provide the state but also give us the flexibility for growth and ability to adapt to the changing technological needs of the future.”, Seema Shrivastava-Patel, Chairwoman of the S.C. Board of Health and Environmental Control, , said the new lab represents the opportunity to leave a lasting and positive legacy for the people of South Carolina. “From recognizing the critical need for a new lab to taking it to the legislature and securing the funding, this project represents the culmination of a lot of hard work and passion for the well-being of the people of South Carolina,”, Shrivastava-Patel said, . “The role this lab plays in disease prevention and control, food safety, emergency preparedness, environmental protection and so much more is truly profound. “This forward-thinking project helps ensure South Carolina has equal and equitable healthcare resources and is a great example of what people in South Carolina can accomplish working together with a common goal and purpose, which is to…, said Myra Reece, DHEC Environmental Affairs Director, . “The new lab gives us much-needed space to enhance and improve critical testing for shellfish, low-level mercury, PFAS and PFOS and other emerging contaminants so that we have the best, most robust data possible with which to make decisions about protecting South Carolinians.” "Our environmental lab analyzes air, water, wastewater, soil and fish tissue samples in its organic chemistry,…, said Myra Reece, DHEC Environmental Affairs Director, . “Testing performed by these laboratories helps us determine compliance with laws and regulations, respond to emergencies and proactively identify emerging environmental issues “The new lab also gives us much-needed space to enhance critical testing for shellfish, low-level mercury and to meet future testing needs for emerging contaminants so that we have the best, most robust data possible with…DHEC Offers Free Radon Test Kits, Reminds Residents of Radon Dangers during National Radon Action Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 8, 2024 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 the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the country after smoking, and the health risks from radon are…, said Rhonda Thompson, Chief of DHEC’s Bureau of Air Quality. , “Two homes right next to each other can have different radon levels, and the only way to know if a home has high radon levels is to test for it.” While radon can only be detected by performing a home test, if it’s found inside a home it can be mitigated. “South Carolina has nationally certified radon contractors who can measure radon and install solutions to reduce elevated radon levels,” , said Olivia Burgher, Environmental Health Manager with DHEC’s Radon Program., “DHEC provides links to lists of credentialed radon professionals, guidance for choosing a radon contractor, and other resources about radon mitigation at scdhec.gov/radon.” Additionally, 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 , while supplies last. Radon test kits…DHEC Reopens Additional Shellfish Harvesting Beds Effective Immediately
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 5, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is immediately reopening previously closed shellfish harvesting beds, the agency announced today. "All remaining shellfish harvesting areas that closed December 18 due to excessive rainfall are now reopened,”, said Mike Marshall, Manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section., "Water quality data indicate that bacteria levels are once again suitable for the harvesting of shellfish. There are no longer any precautionary closures currently in place." The following areas are now reopened: Charleston County: Shellfish Management Area 8 - Bull Island/Capers Island/Isle of Palms Shellfish Management Area 9A - Isle of Palms/Hamlin Sound/Sullivans Island DHEC has communicated…The next Upper Savannah River Basin Council Meeting Scheduled for June 12th, 2024
May 21, 2024 The next Upper Savannah River Basin Council meeting has been scheduled for June 12th, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (, draft agenda, ) at the Starr and Iva Water Sewer District Office (, 104 Roy Arnold Rd. Starr, SC 29684, ). The public may attend in-person or virtually. For meeting access information, please contact Scott Harder (, harders@dnr.sc.gov, ) or Alexis Modzelesky (, ModzeleskyA@dnr.sc.gov, ).The next Lower Savannah-Salkehatchie River Basin Council Meeting Scheduled for June 6th, 2024
May 21, 2024 The next Lower Savannah-Salkehatchie River Basin Council meeting has been scheduled for June 6th, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (, draft agenda, ) at the Stanley Arts Center in Hampton, SC (, 105 Lee Avenue, Hampton, SC 29924, ). The public may attend in-person or virtually. For meeting access information, please contact Scott Harder (, harders@dnr.sc.gov, ) or Alexis Modzelesky (, ModzeleskyA@dnr.sc.gov, ).Next Broad River Basin Council Meeting Scheduled for May 30th, 2024
May 21, 2024 The next Broad River Basin Council meeting has been scheduled for May 30th, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (, draft agenda, ). The Council will meet virtually. For meeting access information, please contact Scott Harder (, harders@dnr.sc.gov, ) or Alexis Modzelesky (, ModzeleskyA@dnr.sc.gov, ).Next Pee Dee River Basin Council Meeting Scheduled for May 28th, 2024
May 21, 2024 The next Pee Dee River Basin Council meeting has been scheduled for May 28th, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM (, draft agenda, ). This meeting will take place in-person at the Clemson Pee Dee Research and Education Center (, 2200 Pocket Rd, Florence, SC 29506, ) . For meeting access information, please contact Scott Harder (, harders@dnr.sc.gov, ) or Alexis Modzelesky (, ModzeleskyA@dnr.sc.gov, ).The next Upper Savannah River Basin Council Meeting Scheduled for May 8th, 2024
April 22, 2024 The next Upper Savannah River Basin Council meeting has been scheduled for May 8th, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (, draft agenda, ) at the Starr and Iva Water Sewer District Office (, 104 Roy Arnold Rd. Starr, SC 29684, ). The public may attend in-person or virtually. For meeting access information, please contact Scott Harder (, harders@dnr.sc.gov, ) or Alexis Modzelesky (, ModzeleskyA@dnr.sc.gov, ).Johnson Controls Facility - Air Construction Permit
An air construction permit was issued February 5, 2010. Johnson Controls is allowed to operate under the construction permit until an operating permit is issued. Below are links to the air construction permit and related documents. All documents linked below are in pdf format and are in chronological order, the most recent at the top. Department Decision - summary of decision Permit -…, Contacts, Bureau of Air Quality Brenna Lindler Permit Writer (803) 898-0457 Connie Turner Air Laboratories Director (803) 896-0903Next Pee Dee River Basin Council Meeting Scheduled for April 23rd, 2024
April 16, 2024 The next Pee Dee River Basin Council meeting has been scheduled for April 23rd, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (, draft agenda, ). This meeting will take place in-person at the Clemson Pee Dee Research and Education Center (, 2200 Pocket Rd, Florence, SC 29506, ) . For meeting access information, please contact Scott Harder (, harders@dnr.sc.gov, ) or Alexis Modzelesky (, ModzeleskyA@dnr.sc.gov, ).