Governor Cooper has proclaimed September 22-28, 2024, as Registered Environmental Health Specialist Week in North Carolina (see proclamation below). The proclamation stated the importance of the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) profession in protecting the public’s health and safety and in improving the quality of lives in our communities.  The specific work of the REHS in food safety, performing soil evaluations, checking well constructions, investigating lead hazards, or inspecting many other facilities (e.g., childcare facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, swimming pools, schools) was also mentioned.

There are thousands of North Carolina REHSs working around the clock to protect public health by inspecting restaurants, child care centers and public swimming pools, evaluating sites for on-site wastewater treatment, siting/inspecting wells, conducting lead-based paint inspections, responding to outbreaks, conducting trainings, and more. It is a great honor for NC REHSs to be recognized by the Governor.