What foods do our restaurant inspectors not eat?

July 12, 2024.Reading time 7 minutes.

Their time in restaurants has given our investigators insight into a different question – are there any foods they avoid because of the risk of food borne illness? We asked a few of our inspectors and got all sorts of answers. That included plenty who said they didn’t avoid any types of food. For those inspectors who did avoid some foods, two trends emerged.

Learn how to improve indoor air quality with new training video

June 20, 2024.Reading time 4 minutes.

This training video covers the sources of poor indoor air and how to improve it through a variety of specific steps. This is especially useful if you own or operate a business, childcare, adult family home, faith-based organizations, or other area where people gather inside.

How I learned to harvest shellfish (starting with checking the shellfish safety map!)

June 11, 2024.Reading time 8 minutes.

A person’s legs in waterproof boots in shallow water at a rocky beach

While recreational shellfish harvesting is a year-round activity, it is especially popular in the summer when warmer weather and mid-day low tides make it easier. However, warmer temperatures can also create conditions for marine (saltwater) biotoxins. Learn what you can do to reduce your risk.

How local healthcare systems can respond to climate change

April 24, 2024.Reading time 5 minutes.

The healthcare sector is a significant contributor to climate change, producing around 10% of total carbon emissions. Climate change strains healthcare systems, increasing visits and deaths. It’s crucial for healthcare to reduce emissions, waste, and improve energy efficiency while adapting to climate change. A new playbook supports hospitals and clinics in this effort, offering practical guidance and support.

New data dashboards track the impact of climate change on health

January 25, 2024.Reading time 10 minutes.

An image of a graph with icons in front of it representing heat, cold, asthma, allergies, bacteria and disease-carrying insects. Text over the graph says "climate and health data dashboards."

Climate change is impacting the health of King County residents. Our new data dashboards provide a look at some of these impacts.

New closure and reopening protocols at King County’s lake beaches will better protect public health

May 16, 2023.Reading time 7 minutes.

Environmental scientists collect water samples each week from all King County lake beaches and test them for bacteria. Our scientists look through the data for potential public health risks. Depending on the results, we close or open beaches to keep people safe. This year, we’re changing how we make beach closure and reopen decisions. These changes are in line with the latest science.