DHEC Presents Community Star Award to Omar Muhammad for Environmental Justice Efforts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)’s Environmental Affairs is pleased to announce Omar Muhammad as a DHEC Community Star . This award recognizes individuals who promote environmental sustainability and resiliency and help improve the quality of life within their communities. Muhammad, who is president of…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 . ###DHEC Encourages Residents to Reduce Food Waste, Recycle Properly Through Remainder of Holiday Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Dec. 19, 2022, COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) encourages residents to be good stewards of the environment and be mindful of the foods they purchase that could potentially go to waste during the rest of the holiday season. Celebrations during the last few weeks of the year may also include gift packaging, decorations and other items that increase the…, said Richard Chesley, DHEC's Section Manager for the Office of Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling, . “We encourage all South Carolinians to be conservative in how much food they purchase to prevent food waste, and to do the same with gift-wrapping paper and other items used during the holidays.” DHEC further encourages healthy food habits through its Don’t Waste Food SC campaign, one that includes working with various organizations with the common goals of information-sharing and coordinating…S.C. State Agencies Present Environmental Awareness Award to Clemson University Professor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 13, 2022 COLUMBIA, S.C. ―, Dr. James Frederick,, professor and agricultural science specialist with Clemson University, is the recipient of the 2022 South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award. Dr. Frederick was presented the award earlier today by, Myra Reece,, Environmental Affairs Director at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). S.C. Rep. Robert Q. Williams nominated Dr. Frederick for his extraordinary work advocating for conservation of the state’s natural resources during his 33 years of service with Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. South Carolina Environmental Awareness…, Myra Reece, Environmental Affairs Director at DHEC, presents the 2022 South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award to Dr. James Frederick, professor with Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, during an award ceremony on Dec. 13., “Dr. Frederick’s advocacy for environmental sustainability and his dedication to public awareness about the necessity for conservation have benefited our state in impactful ways,”, said Reece., “His research has helped educate farmers, landowners, environmental groups, industry representatives, teachers and students, and entire communities about how dependent we all are on having a healthy, sustainable environment around us and the actions we can all take to help protect South Carolina’s invaluable natural resources.” Dr. Frederick has helped develop environmental research programs…, Dr. Frederick said., “It has been a pleasure collaborating with so many dedicated individuals from various state and federal agencies, community organizations, and private industry on programs focused on the betterment of our environment. Environmental awareness is for everyone, having no demographic boundaries, and education is the key to greater awareness. I particularly enjoy working with youth from underserved…DHEC’s Bureau of Water Employee Receives ‘Friend of Rural Water Award’ from SC Rural Water Association
OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 5, 2022 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC) Bureau of Water is proud to announce that Chuck Gorman, Assistant Director of the State Revolving Fund , recently received the Friend of Rural Water Award from the South Carolina Rural Water Association . Gorman was presented the award during the Association’s annual…, said Jennifer Hughes, Chief of DHEC’s Bureau of Water., “For decades he’s devoted his professional career to caring for our state’s environment, and his service with our State Revolving Fund program is helping municipalities around the state complete wastewater, drinking water, and stormwater projects that are critical to supporting healthy communities. We appreciate the South Carolina Rural Water Association for spotlighting Chuck’s great work.” …