The Environmental Hazards Program responds to complaints from the public regarding asbestos, indoor air pollution, outdoor air pollution, leaking storage tanks, chemical spills, and hazardous waste dumping, as well as responding to environmental emergencies. Hazards health inspectors investigate complaints/concerns and, if a public health hazard is found, take enforcement action to have the responsible party eliminate the hazard.
Permit, Fees, and Fines
The Special Projects of the Environmental Hazards Program regulates asbestos permits, body art establishments and practitioners, tanning facilities, ice rinks, and solid waste recycling facilities, and junkyards in accordance with regulatory laws. Yearly licenses and permits are issued for a fee to businesses and individuals by the Board of Health. Environmental Hazards Inspectors perform health inspections of businesses and facilities to ensure that they remain in compliance with regulatory laws. Violations found in noncompliance with regulatory laws may be issued a fine. Businesses and property owners can pay fine here.
Program Service Areas
The Environmental Hazards Program provides services to asbestos abatement and removal, body art establishments and practitioners, tanning facilities, solid waste recycling, and junkyards, and autobody repair shops, and nail salons.
Inspections
Inspections are made upon complaint of exposure to hazardous materials in the air, water, or soil. Inspections may include environmental monitoring using field sampling and analyses instruments. If violations of laws or health hazards are found, the responsible parties are required to take corrective action.
Safe Shops Project
The Safe Shop Project is an exciting new initiative to create environmental leadership within Boston’s auto body and repair shops. In addition to providing free environmental health trainings every month, the Safe Shop Project also provides a number of other resources geared towards helping shops improve their safety and environmental practices which in turn will help them to become better neighbors.
Safe Nail Salons
Safe Nail Salons is a new program to improve the indoor air quality for nail salon owners, employees, and clients. Safe Nail Salons provides education, training, and other resources to assist shop in improving their indoor air quaility and environmental health practices.
For more information contact:
The Enviromnental Hazards Program at Telephone: 617-534-5966, Fax:617-534-2372