Public Health News
Clark County’s Solid Waste Education and Outreach team encourages the community to celebrate this holiday season by taking steps to reduce waste and properly dispose of items that cannot go in curbside garbage or recycling carts.
Reducing holiday waste
When planning gatherings with friends and family, these tips can help reduce waste and make the holiday season a little greener:
- Holiday meals: Avoid over-buying at the grocery store by taking stock of what’s already available in the cupboards and using the “… Read More
This holiday season Clark County Public Health urges residents to safely dispose of batteries – and doing so just got easier! Several retail stores across Clark County are now accepting batteries for safe disposal at no charge.
Batteries that end up in household garbage or inside of recycling carts can explode, posing significant fire risks during transportation and at transfer stations. These fires can cause serious harm to sanitation workers and can damage costly equipment at Clark County transfer stations.
The new battery disposal sites accept a variety of batteries… Read More
The Clark County Board of Health has extended the application period for the Public Health Advisory Council position held by a dentist practicing in Clark County. The three-year term for the volunteer position begins as soon as it’s filled and ends Sept. 30, 2026.
The Public Health Advisory Council typically meets 5:30-7:30 pm via Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of each month, except the month of December. One meeting each quarter will be in-person at locations across the county. Members may also join… Read More
Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has lifted its algae advisory at Lacamas Lake. The bloom of cyanobacteria at the lake dissipated and is no longer present.
The warning signs posted at the lake are being removed. Educational signs about harmful algae will remain year-round at Lacamas Lake and other waterbodies known to have harmful algal blooms. Public Health encourages people recreating in the lakes to continue to watch for floating scum and avoid direct contact with water in those areas.
Public Health has concluded its routine monitoring of Lacamas Lake and… Read More
Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has issued a warning advisory for Lacamas Lake due to elevated levels of cyanotoxins from harmful algae.
Results from water samples taken from Lacamas Lake on Tuesday, Oct. 17 revealed cyanotoxins above the threshold level recommended by the Washington Department of Health. Warning signs are being placed at public access points at the lake.
Cyanotoxins can be harmful to people, especially young children, and deadly for small pets that drink the water. When a warning advisory is in place, health officials recommend:
The Clark County Board of Health has extended the application period for an open position on the volunteer Public Health Advisory Council.
The Board of Health is seeking applicants for the position held by a dentist practicing in Clark County. The three-year term begins as soon as it’s filled and ends Sept. 30, 2026.
The Public Health Advisory Council typically meets 5:30-7:30 pm via Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of each month, except the month of December. One meeting each quarter will be in-… Read More
Clark County Green Neighbors is celebrating the program’s anniversary with a free cooking class for the community. Participants will learn ways to reduce food waste and become part of a community dedicated to sustainable cooking.
Join educators from Clark County Green Neighbors and WSU Clark County Extension SNAP-ED program for Scrappy Cooking 2-3:30 pm Sunday, Oct. 22 at the Vancouver Community Library Columbia Room, 901 C St. Advance registration for the event is requested, but not required. Register on the Green Neighbors… Read More
Clark County Public Health’s Vital Records office is making changes to its regular office hours. Here are the new customer service hours beginning Monday, Oct. 9, 2023:
- By phone: 8:30 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday
- In person: 8 am to 4 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Closed to in-person services on Tuesday.
Orders for birth and death certificates can also be placed online or by mail; details for ordering certificates are available on the Public Health website.… Read More
Clark County Public Health’s Vital Records office will be closed Thursday, Oct. 5 to perform testing of the office’s new records management system. All other Public Health offices will be open regular hours.
The Vital Records office will reopen at 8 am Friday, Oct. 6. Orders for birth and death certificates can continue to be made online through the Public Health website.
As colorful leaves begin to fall from trees, Clark County Public Health is encouraging residents to properly dispose of leaves to keep them out of streets and the landfill.
Leaves should not be raked or blown into streets. Fallen leaves can clog storm drains and create areas of standing water on roadways, making roads unsafe for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. Instead, Public Health encourages residents to take advantage of local disposal options that use leaves to create compost.
Leaves are a nutrient-rich, biodegradable material. But each year, millions of pounds of… Read More