The environment and human health
Patients often ask health care providers how substances in the environment impact their health. CDPHE aims to bridge the gaps between public health and medicine by providing the medical community with information about environmental health risks. With the proper resources, health care providers and patients can engage in shared decision-making.
General information for providers and patients
To help patients understand how chemical stressors in the environment can affect people’s health, refer them to our environment and your health web page and introduction to environmental health video.
Clinical toxicologists
- Clinical toxicologists in Colorado are available to provide clinical advice and consult with physicians and patients/the public. Some require a referral; others do not. Please refer to the list of clinical toxicologists for more information.
Environmental health/medicine
- Information for health care providers
- Information for patients/ public
Environmental Justice
Fact sheet repositories
- Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) National Fact Sheets for Health Professionals
- Mold, smoke/fire, lead, pesticides, flooding, fracking, and hurricanes
- Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit
- A pediatric health toolkit for the prevention of environmental hazards
Occupational health
- Information for patients/ public
Air pollution | Arsenic | Climate health | Lead | Mercury| Nitrates and nitrites in drinking water| PFAS | Private wells | Radon
Air pollution
- Information for health care providers
- Information for patients/ public
Arsenic
- Information for health care providers
Climate health
- Information for health care providers
- Climate Resources for Health Education (collaboration with five hospitals and universities)
- The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health
- WHO training modules and instructions
Lead
- Information for health care providers
- Information for patients/ public
Mercury
- Information for patients/ public
Nitrates and nitrites in drinking water
- Information for patients/ public
PFAS
- Information for health care providers
- Information for patients/ public
- CDPHE PFAS and your health
- Includes fact sheets on water filters, food, pregnancy, talking to your doctor
- CDPHE water service 2024 water system status document and water and chemicals from firefighting foam and other sources web page
- CDPHE PFAS Projects in Colorado
- CDPHE PFAS and your health
Private wells
- Information for patients/ public
- CDPHE drinking water consumer information
- CDPHE private well and your health
- CDPHE private well water tool
- People can enter well test results to learn about potential health effects
- Refer to the other items in this list for information for specific contaminants
Radon
- Information for health care providers
- Information for patients/ public
Toxic algae
- Information for patients/ public
Colorado law requires labs and providers to report many diseases and conditions. Learn more.
Here are links specific to reporting environmental health conditions.
- Report blood tests through electronic reporting or online form.
- Report other environmental or communicable diseases.
- Report a cancer.
Select a topic to view trainings and CMEs
Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry | Climate | Colorado Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) | Environmental health | Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol | Ethylene oxide | Lead | PFAS| Radon | | Trichloroethylene
Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
*Cost to cover Continuing Medical Education - free
Climate
*Cost to cover CME - free
Colorado Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP)
*Cost to cover the CMEs: CAFP Members $250; non-CAFP members $500.
*Residents and students are free.
- Live and on-demand CMEs (including in-person annual meetings)
Environmental health
*Cost to cover CME - free
- Western States PEHSU eBook on epigenetics and environmental impacts ~time varies
- CDC ATSDR - Grand Rounds/ CMEs in Environmental Medicine ~time varies
*Cost to cover the CMEs: American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) membership payment varies $25 - $240+
- Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) Environmental Justice ~time varies
- PEHSU National Classroom Webinars ~time varies
Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol
*Cost to cover CME - free
Ethylene oxide
*Cost to cover CME - free
Lead
- Colorado Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO): Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
- Improving blood testing and reporting in Colorado's children
PFAS
*Cost to cover CME - free
- Colorado ECHO - PFAS ~1 hour
- Information and guidance for health care providers
Radon
*Cost to cover CME - free
- CDC ATSDR Radon clinician brief ~1 hour
Trichloroethylene
*Cost to cover CME - free
About ToxCall
ToxCall's team of experts answers questions from the public, public health agencies, health care providers, and others about how environmental contaminants can cause health effects. We do not give clinical advice.
Contact
Email: cdphe_toxcall@state.co.us
Phone: (303) 692-2606
This page is regularly updated. Suggest improvements.