Environmental Health
| Emily Owczarzak | Environmental Health Director | 585.268.9250 | Emily.Owczarzak@alleganyco.gov |
| David Spring | Public Health Sanitarian | 585.268.9252 | David.Spring@alleganyco.gov |
| Chelsey Mattison | Public Health Sanitarian | 585.268.9266 | Chelsey.Mattison@alleganyco.gov |
| Bryan Payne | Public Health Sanitarian | 585.268.9717 | Bryan.Payne@alleganyco.gov |
| Kimberly Middaugh | Public Health Sanitarian | 585.268.9710 | Kimberly.Middaugh@alleganyco.gov |
| William Bentley | Public Health Technician | 585.268.9263 | William.Bentley@alleganyco.gov |
| Leiya Miller | Emergency Coordinator/Public Health Technician | 585.268.9251 | Leiya.Miller@alleganyco.gov |
| Public Health Technician | 585.268.7582 | ||
| Mariah Horning | Public Health Technician | 585.268.9253 | Mariah.Horning@alleganyco.gov |
Meet Our Environmental Health Staff
Facilities in this program area are inspected for general sanitation and safety, and include Children’s Camps, Hotels & Motels (Temporary Residences), Campgrounds, Swimming Pools, Bathing Beaches, Mobile Home Parks, Tattoo/Body Piercing Shops, Tanning Beds/Booths, and Agricultural Fairgrounds. Facilities are inspected annually with the exception of Tanning Beds/Booths, which are inspected once every two years. Owners, Operators, and Users can click on the forms below for more information.
Important Documents
Environmental Health Services Fees
Workers Comp Disabilities Requirements
Tanning Fee Determination Schedule
Tanning Injury and Illness Report Form
Food service establishments are inspected to ensure compliance with New York State regulations aimed at reducing the possibility of food-borne illnesses, and include colleges/universities, restaurants, seasonal food operations, temporary and mobile food service facilities, Office for the Aging facilities/feeding sites, elementary/middle/high school cafeterias, and school sponsored summer feeding sites.
*All temporary food service operations that do not secure a permit to operate at least 10 days prior to the start of the event will be charged an additional $100.00 late fee.
*If a permit is issued on-site due to not properly submitting paperwork at least 10 days prior to the start of the event, a $100.00 late fee will be charged.
*Temporary Food Service Permit (per booth/stand) $50.00. If two or more events are attended, the price changes to $75.
| High Risk | $175.00 |
| Medium Risk | $150.00 |
| Low Risk | $125.00 |
| Seasonal | $100.00 |
| Temporary Food Service (per booth/stand) | $50.00 |
| *Late Fee if application not received 10 days prior to event | $100.00 |
| Catering Operations | $100.00 |
| Mobile Units (per vehicle/cart) | $75.00 |
| Frozen Dessert | $75.00 |
| Retail Bakery | $100.00 |
Utilize these links to view inspection reports for facilities regulated by the Allegany County Department of Health:
- Allegany County Food Service Inspections
All temporary food service operations that do not secure a permit to operate at least 10 days prior to the start of the event will be charged an additional $100.00 late fee.
If a permit is issued on-site due to not properly submitting paperwork at least 10 days prior to the start of the event, a $100.00 late fee will be charged. - For facilities regulated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, please visit this link to view inspection reports: https://data.ny.gov/Economic-Development/Food-Safety-Inspections-Current-Ratings/d6dy-3h7r/data
You can filter this data to just Allegany County or see other County level data across New York State.
Important Documents
Food Service Establishment Checklist
Temporary Food Service Application Packet and Guidance
Workers Comp Disability Benefit Notice
Permits are issued for the installation of new or replacement systems, through which department staff design, oversee, and approve the final construction of systems to ensure they meet state sanitary code requirements. Loan surveys are conducted as part of residential real estate transfers in order to check on the functioning of existing septic systems as part of the sales process.
Important Documents
Environmental Health Services Fees
Septic System Replacement Program Forms/Application
State Septic System Replacement Fund | Program Outline 2022
Septic Program Application Form 2.26.18 Revised
ACDOH Agreement
What is childhood lead poisoning?
Lead poising can cause problems with a child’s growth, behavior, and ability to learn. The Allegany County Department of Health provides education, case management, and primary prevention services.
Available Services:
- Environmental Lead Assessment – Provide environmental lead assessments for children identified with elevated blood lead levels.
- Case Management – Public Health nurse working with families to lower high blood lead levels in children.
Primary Prevention Services:
- Community Awareness – Educate the public on the hazards of lead based paints.
Learn More
Studies show that no amount of lead exposure is safe for children. Lead is a metal that can harm children when it gets into their bodies. Lead can harm a young child’s growth, behavior, and ability to learn. It can also cause anemia, kidney damage, and hearing loss. There are many sources of lead. Lead can be found in dust, air, water, soil, and in some products used in and around our homes.
Children younger than six years old are more likely to get lead poisoning than any other age group. Most often, children get lead poisoning from breathing in or swallowing dust from old lead paint. It can be found on floors and windowsills, hands, and toys. Lead can also be passed from pregnant person to baby during pregnancy.
Although lead poisoning is preventable, lead continues to be a major cause of poisoning among children. Thousands of children are still at risk. Learn more about what you can do to reduce the risks of lead poisoning to babies and young children.
Blood Lead Testing
- A blood test is the best way to find out if a child has lead poisoning.
- A child with lead poisoning may not have visible signs or symptoms. Many children who have lead poisoning look and act healthy. Parents can talk to their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood lead test if their child may have been exposed to lead.
- A child with lead poisoning may not have visible signs or symptoms. Many children who have lead poisoning look and act healthy. Parents can talk to their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood lead test if their child may have been exposed to lead.
- Act early to get your child tested for lead.
- Children’s blood lead levels tend to increase from 6 to 12 months of age and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months of age.
- Children’s blood lead levels tend to increase from 6 to 12 months of age and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months of age.
- Blood lead tests are required for the following groups:
- Children at 12 and 24 months enrolled in Medicaid.
- Children between 24 and 72 months enrolled in Medicaid with no record of a previous blood lead test.
- Blood lead tests are recommended for the following groups:
- Children at 12 and 24 months living in areas that are at higher-risk or who belong to populations that are higher-risk.
- Children or other family members who have been exposed to lead.
- Children who should be tested under their state or local health testing plan.
- Ask your healthcare provider to explain the blood lead test results
Each year, some products that children use are recalled because they contain lead and pose potential health hazards. These recalls are sometimes for products that are intended to be used exclusively by children, such as children’s toys. Learn more about how to prevent exposure to lead.
Click HERE to View list of Lead Hazard Product Recalls
Lead in children’s products
Take the following steps to prevent children from coming into contact with lead-contaminated toys and other children’s products:
- Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalls website to see if your child’s toys or other items were recalled.
- Do not allow children to play with recalled toys.
- Do not let children play with vintage or antique toys that were made before 1978.
- Buy toys and children’s products made by major brands and sold at reputable retailers. These are more likely to be safe for children.
Lead in foods, cosmetics, and medicines
Lead can be found in some foods, cosmetics, ceremonial powders, and traditional remedies, especially those that are imported or purchased from informal or unregulated sources. Certain candy ingredients, such as chili powder and tamarind, may be a source of lead exposure. Lead can get into the candy when improperly drying, storing, and grinding the ingredients. Ink from plastic or paper candy wrappers may also contain lead that leaches or seeps into the candy. Lead has also been found in certain spices imported from informal or unregulated sources in Vietnam, India, and Syria, among other countries.
Follow these tips to protect children and pregnant women from lead exposure from these products:
- Monitor FDA’s recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts. If a product your child consumed or used has been recalled, follow recall instructions and follow up with your child’s healthcare provider about whether blood lead testing is needed.
- Only use imported foods, medicines, and cosmetics that are clearly labeled and bought from reputable retailers.
- Avoid using traditional medicines and cosmetics, such as azarcon, greta, pay-loo-ah traditional medicines, and kohl and sindoor cosmetics because they have been shown to contain lead. Traditional medicines imported from South and Southeast Asian countries may contain lead.
Lead in vintage and antique items
Lead can also be in vintage and antique items, such as dishware, ceramic items, and furniture, that children may come in contact with. Products made before 1978 may contain lead-based paint.
Take the following steps to prevent children and pregnant women from coming into contact with lead from vintage and antique items:
- Stay up to date with CPSC product recalls.
- Unless you are certain that the item does not contain lead, assume painted vintage and antique items may contain lead paint. Keep these items away from children and pregnant women.
- Do not use vintage dishware or utensils for food service. Only use these items for food service if you are sure they do not contain lead.
- Do not use lead crystal for the storage of any food or beverage.
- Wash hands after working with or handling vintage and antique items.
- Do not dry scrape or sand lead-containing items. Consider applying a sealant product on finished vintage and antique items to prevent the release of lead dust and debris.
Lead Laws and Regulations
Congress has passed a number of laws related to lead. These laws address lead in paint, dust and soil; lead in the air; lead in water; and disposal of lead waste. EPA is addressing lead contamination and resulting hazards under these laws in many ways, including by issuing and enforcing regulations. EPA also helps the regulated community understand the federal requirements with policy and guidance documents to assist in complying with the regulations.
Laws and Executive Orders
Lead is a pollutant regulated by many laws administered by EPA, including the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (Title X), Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) among others.
Regulations
Real Estate Disclosures about Potential Lead Hazards
Landlords
As owners, landlords, agents and managers of rental property, you play an important role in protecting the health of your tenants and their children. Buildings built before 1978 are much more likely to have lead-based paint. Federal law requires you to provide certain important information about lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards before a prospective renter is obligating under lease to rent from you.
Landlords must give prospective tenants of target housing, including most buildings built before 1978:
- An EPA-approved information pamphlet on identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards, Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home (PDF).
- Any known information concerning lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards pertaining to the building.
- For multi-unit buildings this requirement includes records and reports concerning common areas and other units when such information was obtained as a result of a building-wide evaluation.
- A lead disclosure attachment to the lease, or language inserted in the lease, that includes a “Lead Warning Statement” and confirms that you have complied with all notification requirements.
- Sample Lessor’s Disclosure of Information in English (PDF) and in Spanish (PDF).
Renters
Federal law requires that before signing a lease for target housing, including most buildings built before 1978, renters must receive the following from your landlord:
- An EPA-approved information pamphlet on identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards, Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home (PDF).
- Any known information concerning the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the home or building.
- For multi-unit buildings, this requirement includes records and reports concerning common areas and other units when such information was obtained as a result of a building-wide evaluation.
- An attachment to the contract, or language inserted in the contract, that includes a “Lead Warning Statement” and confirms that the landlord has complied with all notification requirements.
- Sample Lessor’s Disclosure of Information in English (PDF) and in Spanish (PDF).
If you have a concern, ask your landlord to get a lead hazard inspection from a certified inspector before signing your lease.
Landlords must be EPA certified in Renovation, Repair and Painting, and Abatement in order to perform work on homes that they rent.
Real Estate Disclosures about Potential Lead Hazards
Homebuyers
Federal law requires that before being obligated under a contract to buy target housing, including most buildings built before 1978, buyers must receive the following from the homeseller:
A 10-day period to conduct a paint inspection or risk assessment for lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards. Parties may mutually agree, in writing, to lengthen or shorten the time period for inspection. Homebuyers may waive this inspection opportunity. If you have a concern about possible lead-based paint, then get a lead inspection from a certified inspector before buying.
An EPA-approved information pamphlet on identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home (PDF).
Any known information concerning the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the home or building.
For multi-unit buildings, this requirement includes records and reports concerning common areas and other units when such information was obtained as a result of a building-wide evaluation.
An attachment to the contract, or language inserted in the contract, that includes a “Lead Warning Statement” and confirms that the seller has complied with all notification requirements.
Sample Seller’s Disclosure of Information in English (PDF) and in Spanish (PDF).
Home Sellers
As real estate agents and home sellers, you play an important role in protecting the health of families purchasing and moving into your home. Buildings built before 1978 are much more likely to have lead-based paint. Federal law requires you to provide certain important information about lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards before a prospective buyer is obligated under a contract to purchase your home.
Real estate agents must:
- Inform the seller of his or her obligations under the Real Estate Notification and Disclosure Rule. In addition, the agent is responsible, along with the seller or lessor, if the seller or lessor fails to comply; unless the failure involves specific lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazard information that the seller or lessor did not disclose to the agent. Read the regulations that includes these requirements.
Real estate agents and home sellers must:
- Provide, as part of the contract process, an EPA-approved information pamphlet on identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards, Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home (PDF). Attach to contract, or insert language in the contract, a “Lead Warning Statement” and confirmation that you have complied with all notification requirements.
- Sample Seller’s Disclosure of Information in English (PDF) and in Spanish (PDF).
- Provide a 10-day period to conduct a paint inspection or risk assessment for lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards. Parties may mutually agree, in writing, to lengthen or shorten the time period for inspection. Homebuyers may choose to waive this inspection opportunity.
Q: Does EPA’s RRP rule apply to DIYers?
A: EPA’s RRP rule states that that any contractor or maintenance staff—including plumbers, electricians and painters—who disturbs more than six square feet of paint, replaces windows, or does demolition work in pre-1978 homes, preschools or child care centers must be certified and trained in lead-safe work practices.
Generally speaking, the RRP rule does not apply to homeowners doing RRP projects in their own home. However, it does apply to homeowners if they rent all or part of their home, operate a child care center in their home or if they buy, renovate and sell homes for profit (i.e., a house flipper).
Q: What are lead-safe work practices?
A: Lead-safe work practices are techniques used to prevent lead exposure during renovation, repair and painting activities. When used correctly, they make the work area safer for workers and the home safer for residents when the renovation is complete.
If you hire a lead-safe certified contractor, they have been trained to keep you and your family lead-safe during and after the renovation. If you are planning a DIY renovation, be sure to use simple and effective DIY lead-safe work practices, which include setting up safely, protecting yourself, minimizing the dust, leaving your work area clean, controlling the waste and cleaning a final time after the work is complete.
Locate lead-safe certified contractors here and learn more about lead-safe work practices for DIYers on EPA’s Lead-Safe Renovations for DIYers page.
Q: I’m not remodeling, I’m just doing a small project. Do I need to worry about lead-based paint and lead dust?
A: Yes. Renovation and repair activities in pre-1978 homes that disturb lead-based paint can create dangerous lead dust even if the paint is covered by layers of newer paint. These activities include remodeling, maintenance, electrical work, plumbing, painting preparation, carpentry, window replacement, sanding, scraping and demolition.
If you have or think you may have lead-based paint in your home, it is best to hire a lead-safe certified contractor to perform any renovation work since these contractors have been trained and certified in lead-safe work practices. To learn more about lead-safe work practices for DIYers, visit epa.gov/lead/rrp-diyers and to find a lead-safe certified contractor in your area, visit epa.gov/lead/findacontractor.
Q: Is it safe for kids and pets to be in or near the work area?
A: No. Be sure to keep kids, pets and anyone not working out of the work area during a renovation. Even low levels of lead in children can result in long-lasting health effects like lower IQ, slowed or stunted growth and hearing problems. Block off or seal rooms or areas where work is being done with plastic sheeting to contain any dust that is generated. You may need a separate place for pets because they can be harmed by lead and can spread lead dust into other areas of the home.
Q: Do I need to worry about lead-based paint if I do not live in a pre-1978 home?
A: It is unlikely you need to be concerned about lead-based paint if your home was built in 1978 or later. However, in some instances, lead-based paint may have been purchased before it was banned and used years later. Prior to any home renovation, repair or painting activities, verify the year your home was built. If you are unsure about the age of your home or the presence of lead-based paint, it is best to hire a certified lead inspector to check for lead-based paint in the work area of your home. If lead-based paint is present, consider hiring a lead-safe certified contractor to perform the renovation work. You can find a lead-safe certified contractor near you by visiting epa.gov/lead/findacontractor.
Q: How do I find out which year my home was built?
A: If you own your home, consult your ownership documents. You can also check your county recorder’s office for property records or tax assessments or hire a building inspector to assess your house and give an age estimation.
Q: How can I know if my older home has lead-based paint?
A: A certified lead inspector can conduct an inspection and tell you whether your home, or a portion of your home, has lead-based paint and, if so, where it is located. A professional lead risk assessor can assess if your home has any lead hazards from lead in paint, dust or soil and what actions you can take to address those hazards. For help finding a certified lead risk assessor or inspector, call the Allegany County Department of Health at 585-268-9250 or the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).
Q: How much does a lead-based paint inspection or lead-based paint risk assessment cost?
A: The cost for a lead-based inspection and/or a lead-based paint risk assessment varies depending on your location. To get a quote, search for a certified lead-based paint inspector or risk assessor at epa.gov/lead/findaprofessional.
Allegany County has been awarded $350,000 for Lead RRP and Abatement through the HUD Building Capacity Grant. In order to bid on any of these jobs, you and your employees must be EPA certified*.
Please check back for bid opportunities. We will notify those that have registered for updates here.
FREE EPA Lead Abatement Training
Abatement Worker Training
March 18-19, 2025, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Crossroads Conference Center,
6087 State Route 19 North
Belmont NY, 14813
Upon completion of this training Abatement Workers may conduct abatement activities under the direction of certified abatement supervisors.
Abatement Supervisor Training
March 3-6, 2025, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Crossroads Conference Center,
6087 State Route 19 North
Belmont NY, 14813
Upon completion of this training Abatement Supervisors may supervise abatement projects and prepare occupant protection plans and abatement reports. Supervisors may also perform all of the abatement activities that may be performed by abatement workers.
For questions regarding these trainings, please call Sam Filbert at 585-268-7582, Tuesday through Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm or you can sign up to be notified of Lead training, bidding and job opportunities here.
*Federal law requires that contractors, landlords or their employees who perform any home improvement that disturbs more than 6 square feet of interior or 20 square feet of exterior lead-based paint in properties that were built before 1978 MUST be certified to do the work safely. EPA Certification is good for 5 years.
Informational facts about Lead Poisoning Prevention that you can share on social media.
WE WORK FOR YOUR WELL BEING
The Environmental Health Division investigates complaints received to determine if a possible public health hazard or threat exists that could negatively impact Allegany County residents. Complaints include everything from public health nuisances (garbage, insects, vermin, etc.), to problems with sewage systems, food service facilities, community sanitation program-related facilities, indoor and outdoor air quality, smoking in prohibited areas, private and public water supplies or any other department of health regulated facility. If you wish to file a formal complaint, please do so by filling out the complaint form below and submit it to our office. Please Note: the complaint form must be signed and dated in order for it to be considered valid.
Important Documents
To submit a Public Health Complaint, please print or download the form below. You can email it to healthinfo@alleganyco.gov or the individual sanitarian associated to the territory you live in, or drop it off in person at the Health Department.
You may also mail it to:
Allegany County Department of Health
7 Court Street
Belmont NY, 14813
Public Water Sample Collection for Coliform and E. coli bacteria analysis.
The Allegany County Department of Health is now offering Coliform and E. coli sampling for Municipalities that have Public Water Supplies.
The cost is $30.00/sample
- The fee must be paid ahead of time. You can pay this fee once you pick up your sample bottle.
- You must use our sample bottles
Municipalities can drop the sample(s) off at our accredited lab on the Third Floor at the County Building located at 7 Court Street in Belmont, NY 14813.
Hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
- Results may be available 24 hours later
There were 106 regulated public water supplies in Allegany County in 2013, including 20 municipal systems, 14 community systems, 8 non-transient/non-community systems, and 64 non-community systems. With funding from New York State’s Drinking Water Enhancement Program, the Health Department provides comprehensive oversight and assistance to public and private water systems in Allegany County.
Compiled by the Allegany County Department of Health:
The lists below are laboratories that provide information, sampling instructions and containers, and analyses for private or public water supplies in our area. All analyses needed to comply with any regulation (Subpart 67-4 Lead Testing in School Drinking Water) must be performed by a laboratory certified by the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center under the Environmental
Important Documents
Environmental Health Services Fees
Seasonal Public Water Systems Start-Up Procedures
Seasonal Start-Up Certification Form
Sample Site Plan for Total Coliform Bacteria
DOH-4204 Designation Of Water Operator In Charge
DOH-360cuv Water Operation Report
DOH-352 Application For Renewal Of Water Operator Certification
FREE Rabies Vaccination Clinics
2025 Rabies Vaccine Clinics: http://tiny.cc/vzfr001
October 4, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Genesee Valley Central School – Bus Garage
You must register before Friday, October 3rd. Walk-Ins will be denied!
If you are having problems registering online, please call: (585) 268-9263 or (585) 268-9251.
Allegany County Department of Health wants to remind all Allegany County residents with possible contact or exposure to a bat to make every attempt to “Catch the Bat!”
Catch the Bat
Catch the Bat video
What is rabies?
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Infected mammals can transmit rabies virus to humans and other mammals. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Fortunately, only a few human cases are reported each year in the United States.
What animals can get rabies?
Rabies is most often seen among wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes, but any mammal can be infected with rabies. Pets and livestock can get rabies if they are not vaccinated to protect them against infection. Among domestic animals, cats are most frequently diagnosed with rabies in New York State.
Some animals almost never get rabies. These include rabbits and small rodents such as squirrels, chipmunks, rats, mice, guinea pigs, gerbils and hamsters. It is possible for these animals to get rabies, but only in rare circumstances, such as if they are attacked but not killed by a rabid animal.
Reptiles (such as lizards and snakes), amphibians (like frogs), birds, fish and insects do not get or carry rabies.
What are the signs of rabies in animals?
The first sign of rabies is usually a change in an animal’s behavior. It may become unusually aggressive or tame. The animal may lose its fear of people and natural enemies. A wild animal may appear affectionate and friendly. It may become excited or irritable and attack anything in its path. Staggering, convulsions, choking, frothing at the mouth and paralysis are sometimes seen. Many animals will make very unusual sounds. Infected animals usually die within one week after showing signs of rabies.
How do people become exposed to rabies?
People usually get exposed to the rabies virus when an infected animal bites them. Exposure may also occur if saliva from a rabid animal enters an open cut or mucous membrane (eyes, nose or mouth).
Important Documents
All Homeowners in New York State can order a radon test from the State Department of Health by completing this order form.
Be sure to follow all test instructions. It very is important that the home is sealed up and all doors or windows to the outside are closed 24 hours before and during the entire testing period to ensure an accurate test. However, you can leave and re-enter your home.
How Radon Enters the Home
- Cracks in concrete slab
- Pores and cracks in concrete blocks
- Slab-footing joints
- Exposed soil, as in sump
- Cracks between poured concrete (slab) and blocks
- Loose fitting pipes
- Water
Test Your Home for Radon
When to Test
- Every five years, or every two years if you have a radon mitigation system to make sure it’s working properly.
- During the winter months when your windows and doors can stay closed 24 hours before and during the entire testing period. However, you can leave and re-enter your home.
- When buying a home and after major renovations.
- Before buying a home, hire a certified radon testing professional. Check that the results of the test is will come from a laboratory approved through the State’s Environmental Laboratory Approval Program.
- Check that the laboratory used to analyze the results is approved through the State’s Environmental Laboratory Approval Program.
- Within 30 days of installing a radon mitigation system.
Understanding Your Test Results
New York State Health recommends fixing your home if the results of radon tests show levels of 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) or higher. With today’s technology, radon levels in most homes can be reduced to 2 pCi/L or below. You also may want to consider fixing if the level is between 2 and 4 pCi/L.
Find out if radon levels are high in your town.
Fix a Radon Problem
A radon reduction system can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99% and average cost is about $1,500. If your home has elevated levels of radon, contact a certified radon mitigator. More information is available at the U.S. EPA’s Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction.
Building Homes To Keep Radon Out
New construction methods keep radon out of the home by sealing soil gas entry points, by preventing radon gas from entering the home and by venting to release radon gas outdoors. Installing a radon reduction system during construction is easier and less expensive than installing a system after the house is completed. Every new home should be tested, even if it was built to be radon resistant. If radon levels are still at or above 4 pCi/L, a certified mitigator may activate the system by installing a fan.
From: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/radon/
If you are in need of a new septic system and are having trouble financially covering the project, please fill out our survey of interest by clicking this link.
Public Health Sanitarians from the Allegany County Department of Health can conduct sanitary loan surveys to assess the functionality of septic systems and potability of water in real property transactions. Real Estate Agents, Attorneys and Sellers may find the forms below helpful.
Independent contractors who want to provide sanitary surveys as part of their service must first receive training and pass a test administered by the Environmental Health Department.
Please call 585.268.9717 if interested in the Sanitary Survey Training.
Important Documents
Policies and Procedures for Conducting Sanitary Surveys
Allegany County Sanitary Survey Inspector Training Memo
Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Attorney, Seller Information Letter
Sanitary Survey (Sewer & Water Inspection) for Property Transaction Application 9-2024
Allegany County residents can dispose of their sharps and needles at any of the following Transfer Stations listed below. Allegany County does not distribute sharps containers, they can be supplied from your druggist or supplier of medications. An empty laundry soap tub can also be used – the container is necessary for your safety and the safety of the employees handling the sharps. This service is free.
Allegany County wants you and your family to be tick free!
Ticks can spread disease. However, not all ticks can cause disease and not all bites will make you sick. Different ticks live in different parts of the country, and transmit different diseases. It is important to learn how to prevent a bite, how to remove a tick, and what to do if you think you could have a tick-borne disease. Lyme disease is the most common disease spread by ticks in New York but there are other serious diseases spread by ticks.
Diseases Spread by Ticks
- Lyme Disease Fact Sheet – https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme/fact_sheet.htm
- Anaplasmosis (cdc.gov)– http://www.cdc.gov/anaplasmosis/
- Ehrlichiosis (cdc.gov)– http://www.cdc.gov/ehrlichiosis/
- Babesiosis (cdc.gov)– http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/babesiosis/
- Powassan Virus (cdc.gov)- https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/index.html
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (cdc.gov)– http://www.cdc.gov/rmsf/
Protection and Prevention
Ticks live in shady, moist areas at ground level. They will cling to tall grass, brush and shrubs, usually no more than 18-24 inches off the ground.
In tick-infested areas, your best protection is to avoid contact with soil, leaf litter and vegetation. However, if you garden, hike, camp, hunt, work or otherwise spend time in the outdoors, you can still protect yourself:
- Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily.
- Wear enclosed shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants.
- Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors.
- Consider using insect repellent. More information regarding tick repellant products can be found here: https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2749/
- Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails. Walk in the center of trails. Avoid dense woods and bushy areas.
- Avoid sitting directly on the ground or on stone walls.
- Keep long hair tied back, especially when gardening.
- Bathe or shower as soon as possible after going indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that may be on you.
- Do a final, full-body tick check at the end of the day (also check children and pets), and remove ticks promptly.
PDF: Tick Bite What to Do: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/pdfs/FS_TickBite-508.pdf
Safe Tick Removal
- Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you cannot remove the mouth easily with tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
- After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
- Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by
- Putting it in alcohol,
- Placing it in a sealed bag/container,
- Wrapping it tightly in tape, or
- Flushing it down the toilet.
Avoid remedies such as “painting” the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. The goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible, not waiting for it to detach.
Follow-Up
If you are bitten by a tick, consult your doctor:
- Tell the doctor about your recent tick bite,
- When the bite occurred, and
- Where you most likely acquired the tick.
Tick Laboratory Testing
If you have been bitten by a tick, or suspect you may have been, you can send the tick to be tested by a laboratory to determine if the tick is carrying the pathogens that lead to tick-borne illnesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get sick from a tick that is crawling on me but has not yet attached?
Ticks must bite you to spread their germs. Once they attach to you, they will feed on your blood and can spread germs. A tick that is crawling on you but not attached could not have spread germs. However, if you have found a tick crawling on you, it’s a sign there may be others: do a careful tick check
How long does a tick need to be attached before it can spread infection?
Depending on the type of tick and germ, a tick needs to be attached to you for different amounts of time (minutes to days) to infect you with that germ. Your risk for Lyme disease is very low if a tick has been attached for fewer than 24 hours. Check for ticks daily and remove them as soon as possible.
Do ticks jump or fly?
Ticks don’t jump or fly. Instead, they crawl up low brush or grass to find a host. Then, they clasp on with their back legs and reach their front legs out to grab onto a passing animal or human. This process is called questing. Sometimes, they even drop from their perch and free fall onto a passing host.
Where do ticks like to bite their host?
Warm, moist areas are ideal spots for ticks to latch. If a tick manages to get on you, or your pets, they will look for a place like your groin, armpit, or hair. While most bugs will bite and leave, ticks will attach to your body and feed. They can feed off a host for up to ten days, but likely, you will spot them as they bloat when engorged.
What does a tick bite look like?
The most obvious sign of a tick bite is the tick itself, latched onto or burrowed beneath the skin. Although not always present, the most recognizable sign is an expanding “bull’s-eye” rash, which indicates Lyme disease.
Do ticks die after the first frost?
No. Some species, like the American dog tick and Lone Star tick, are just not very active in the fall and winter. Others, like the Blacklegged (deer) tick can remain active in their adult stage from fall to spring as long as the temperature is above freezing.
Can I identify the type of tick that bit me by the size?
No. Ticks (including deer ticks, dog ticks, Lone star ticks, etc.) come in small, medium and large sizes. The smallest size, called larvae, are nearly microscopic. The middle stage, called nymphs, are medium sized although most people would call them tiny. Nymphs of all ticks are about the size of a pinhead in their unfed state.
Then there are the large size or adult stage ticks. Even the adult stage of Blacklegged ticks (aka deer ticks) that transmit Lyme disease are relatively large. In the northeastern United States, the most common “large” tick likely to bite dogs, cats, horses, and humans in the Fall and Winter months is the Blacklegged tick, and it can transmit disease-causing agents including Lyme bacteria. Typically, about 50% of adult Blacklegged ticks are infected with Lyme bacteria.
Your Pets and Tick-borne diseases
Preventing ticks on your pets (cdc.gov)– http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_pets.html
Learn More
Tick Smart Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0BPpw5Ikh4&t=1751s-
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