Welcome!

The Department of Health and Environment was established in 1926 to provide regional efficiencies throughout the 15 towns of Barnstable County, while supporting the autonomy of local boards of health. The Department provides a diversity of services that promote public health and environmental protection, from emergency planning, to monitoring of water, land, and air, to disease prevention, inspectional services, COVID-19 pandemic response, and even the practical application of providing loans for septic system repair and replacement. The physical and mental well-being of Barnstable County’s residents, alongside protection of our sensitive ecosystems, are our top priorities.


News

Poor Air Quality Resulting from Canadian Wildfires Impacts New England: What You Should Know

Large, widespread wildfires, like the ones currently burning in Canada, can cause poor air quality across hundreds, and sometimes even thousands, of miles. Particulate matter from smoke is carried along […]

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May 31 is World No Tobacco Day

In 1987, the Member States of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it […]

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National “DON’T Fry Day”

The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has designated today, the Friday before Memorial Day, as “Don’t Fry Day” to encourage sun safety awareness and remind everyone to protect their […]

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The Inspiring Partnership of MASSTC and Southeastern New England Fibershed 

The Massachusetts Alternative Septic Test Center (MASSTC), a division of the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment, is dedicated to promoting sustainable and innovative septic system technologies. Recently, they partnered with the Southeastern […]

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Hoarding or Clutter? Understanding the Difference

The following article was taken from the fall edition of our quarterly Community Health Newsletter. By Lynn Mulkeen Senior Environmental Specialist Do you have concerns that a loved one is […]

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Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee’s Chip Reilly Celebrates Professional Achievement in Emergency Management

Yesterday, May 15, 2023, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Acting Director Dawn Brantley recognized the first cohort to complete the Massachusetts Professional Emergency Manager (MPEM) program. The group of 16 […]

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