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<br />Often materials are found to be toxic only after their introduction into the <br />~ environment and their widespread use by the public. There are many <br />'1 transformers and capacitors which contain polychlorinated biphenols (PCB's)' in <br />t.:o Colorado. Past practices regarding PCB oil have contaminated soil and <br />00 waterways. PCB's have entered the food chain and have been found in food and <br />milk in Colorado. The material is a suspected carcinogen and the levels of <br />concentration at which various environmental impacts occur is unknown. <br /> <br />Urea formaldehyde has in the past been widely used in foam insulation in homes <br />and other buildings. Some individuals are particularly sensitive to <br />formaldehyde and experience severe allergic reactions when exposed to the <br />subs tance. <br /> <br />Sprayed asbestos material on school ceilings has been found in several Colorado <br />schools, and many more instances will become known upon a more complete <br />sampling. Asbestos, when inhaled, is a known carcinogen and efforts are being <br />made to locate all occurrences of sprayed asbestos which is releasing fibers to <br />the air. <br /> <br />Sodium cyanide is commonly used in Colorado by the m~n~ng industry to extract <br />gold and silver from ore. Other uses include: case hardening steel; cleaning <br />metals; electroplating; and the manufacturing of various chemicals, including <br />"ilarmaceuticals, vitamins, insecticides and dyes. Sodium cyanide, an extremely <br />toxic poison is quickly fatal if ingested. Poisoning may also occur by <br />inhaling cyanide dust or mist or absorption of cyanide in solution through the <br />skin. These and other toxic materials require safe handling, transportation, <br />treatment, storage and disposal. It is the role of the Health Department to <br />provide support and technical assistance to other State agencies, local health <br />departments, and others in dealing with these problems. <br /> <br />C. ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES IN COLORADO <br /> <br />1. Colorado Department of Health <br /> <br />The Colorado Department of Health (CDH) is charged with protecting the <br />health and the environment and providing health care services to the <br />citizens of Colorado. <br /> <br />a. Office of Health Protection <br /> <br />The environmental health programs administered by the Colorado <br />Department of Health are organized under the Office of Health <br />Protectioa. This office is under the direction of an Assistant <br />Director of the Department of Health, who reports to the Department's <br />Executive Director. Within the Office of Health Protection (OHP) and <br />Environmental Programs are six operating divisions; these are: <br /> <br />Air Pollution Control Division; <br />Consumer Protection Division; <br />Disease Control and Epidemiology Division; <br />Radiation Control Divisioa; <br />Waste Management Division; and <br />Water Quality Control Division. <br /> <br />-13- <br /> <br />~c <br /> <br />;l!: >~';.. cii_. :iiL,J!, <br />