Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) protects and enhances the health of Californians and the State's environment through scientific evaluations that inform, support and guide regulatory and other actions. OEHHA implements the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly known as Proposition 65, and compiles the state’s list of substances that cause cancer or reproductive harm. The Office also develops health-protective exposure levels for contaminants in air, water, and soil as guidance for regulatory agencies and the public. These include public health goals for contaminants in drinking water and both cancer potency factors and non-cancer reference exposure levels for the Air Toxics Hot Spots Program.

OEHHA strives for environmental justice by:

• Identifying communities with high pollution and vulnerability;
• Identifying who is sensitive to pollution;
• Informing the public of chemicals that can cause harm; and
• Assisting CalEPA in their environmental justice efforts.

To learn about the California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool, click on CalEnviroScreen4.0 to identify census tracks at risk for multiple sources of pollution. All indicators include the most recent available data. One new indicator, the Children's Lead Risk Housing, accounts for possible lead exposures from paint and other sources in or around the home.

The Office also provides scientific peer review of pesticide risk assessments; works with the Department of Pesticide Regulation to develop regulations to protect pesticide worker health and safety; trains physicians to recognize pesticide-related illnesses; and works with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to provide health information on pesticide applications aimed at combating invasive species.