Environmental Health

Our Island Community is beloved by many for its natural beauty of sprawling hills, forests, meadows, and coastline. The health of our human population is intricately linked to the health of the natural environment. The Boards of Health routinely inspect and monitor the health of our natural surroundings and we work closely with engineers, biologists, and other specialists to ensure an eco-system of health. Explore our different target areas below.

Tick-Borne Illness

The Inter-Island Public Health Collaborative has a Public Health Biologist on staff to study and monitor the Island’s tick population for disease and other significant changes in species or population growth. Click here to learn more about this area of work and what you can do to prevent tick-borne illness.

Mosquitoes on MV

Mosquitoes and the potential for disease spread is another top concern of Public Health officials on Martha’s Vineyard. The Inter-Island Public Health Collaborative’s Public Health Biologist also monitors the local mosquito population. To learn more about this work and tips for disease prevention, click here.

Safe Water

Water safety and sanitation are important parts of day-to-day public health activities on Martha’s Vineyard. From the water you use at home, work, at school, or in recreation, public health plays a role in that water’s health and safety assessment and maintenance.

Well Water Testing – Many homes on the Island utilize well water for everyday washing, bathing, and drinking. All Island residents with well water have access to well water testing services through their local Board of Health. During these tests, water is analyzed for health damaging contaminants. To schedule a test on your property, please reach out to your local health agent.

Waste Water Testing – At the town level, the Boards of Health oversee waste water testing at centralized facilities. This routine testing is a passive way of monitoring for traces of disease at the population level. Residents can view the results of (or learn more about) testing on the Vineyard here.

Recreational Water Testing – The Island boasts several ponds, streams, swimming holes, and beaches where residents and visitors swim, fish, and participate in water sports. To ensure these activities can continue safely, local public health officials routinely test for levels of harmful water contaminants, including cyanobacteria. Notable outcomes of these tests including warnings or bans on swimming and fishing are posted online and onsite. To learn more about this work and view test results, visit MV Cyanobacteria.

Soil Inspections

Installation of new septic systems on residential and commercial properties requires an inspection of the soil to determine the suitability of the proposed septic system and to ensure no runoff will occur which could contaminate the surrounding soil and/or end up as runoff in our waterways. The process requires a property owner to contact their local Board of Health to schedule the inspection. The inspection is conducted by an engineer and witnessed by the town’s health agent. To schedule an inspection or to learn more about the process, please contact your local board of health.

PFAS

PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is a collection of manmade substance also known as “forever chemicals” often found in groundwater and drinking water and are linked to conditions such as hormone suppression, thyroid disease, decrease fertility, liver damage, and some cancers. PFAS ends up in our drinking water through spillage of chemicals on the ground which seep into the groundwater. In order to stay ahead of this national issue, the Island towns have partnered with the Massachusetts State Department of Environmental Protection to provide private well testing for residents. To request to have your water tested, please contact the State Department of Health to identify a testing agency.

Other Environmental Health Concerns

Dating back to some of public health’s earliest initiatives, indoor air quality strongly correlates with personal health. The following topics are related to the environmental health of the home or workplace.

Air Quality

Outdoor Air Quality – We are very fortunate on the Vineyard to have excellent air quality. Our mostly rural surroundings, distance from the mainland, ocean breezes, and limited number of gas-powered cars on the roads keeps our air very clean and limits the amount of outdoor exposure to respiratory irritants.

Vapor Intrusion – Vapor intrusion is largely caused by seepage of chemicals and other toxins into the soil and groundwater which can disseminate into neighboring areas impacting the air and water quality. If you have concerns related to vapor intrusion, please contact your local Board of Health for more information.

Indoor air quality – A clean interior with good ventilation is important for long term respiratory health and for reducing the transmission of air-borne pathogens. All indoor spaces where people live, work, or congregate should be equipped with proper ventilation. For more information on the ventilation requirements for different structures please click here.

Asthma & Respiratory Conditions – Asthma is a narrowing and inflammation of a person’s airways. Being exposed to poor indoor or outdoor air can trigger asthma

Mold – Given Martha’s Vineyard’s geography and climate, mold is quite common in homes across the Island. A combination of high humidity and low lingering temperatures creates the perfect opportunity for mold to flourish. Keeping indoor spaces dry and well ventilated is a good way to prevent mold. If the mold is already present, proper cleaning is required. Follow the links for more information on mold-related health concerns or more information on how to remove mold on your property.

Carbon Monoxide – Smoke from cigarette smoke or emissions from incomplete combustion of a car, boat, or other gas-powered engine can produce carbon monoxide build up that can be fatal if inhaled. The buildup and inhalation can happen very quickly, within minutes, so it is very important that all interiors are equipped with functioning carbon monoxide detectors. To learn more about carbon monoxide safety, click here.

Lead – Prior to 1978 lead-based paint was common in the United States and exposure though inhalation of lead dust or ingestion of lead-based debris and children are especially at-risk. While most homes on the Vineyard have been de-leaded, given the historic nature of our community, there is still a degree of risk, especially in older homes. If you have concerns about traces of lead in your home or wish to schedule a lead assessment, please contact your local Board of Health. Any concerns about lead exposure should be discussed with your medical provider.

Hoarding and Other Obstructions

Hoarding is a complex issue that can involve physical, mental, and environmental health of an individual and/or their neighbors. While the root cause of hoarding varies from situation to situation, the effects could impact respiratory health, groundwater, and cause bodily injury or prevent fire and safety officials from accessing  a property in the case of an emergency. On the Island, our public health officials take hoarding very seriously and take great care to address it with the dignity and attention it deserves. For more information on hoarding, please contact your local Board of Health.

Natural Disaster Preparedness

Preparedness for manmade and natural disasters is always a priority for public health officials at the local and national levels. Here on the Vineyard, we have seen our fair share of weather-related incidents and any regular visitor can discern where storms have eroded beachfronts or cliff landscape. These incidents are not isolated and are a part of a much wider issue of climate change. The Island Boards of Health are committed to reducing the effects of climate change on population health and work closely with local first responders, climate researchers, healthcare providers, and support services to consistently review and edit both long term climate action and disaster preparedness plans. More information on what to do in an emergency can be found on our public health emergencies page. To learn more about the Boards of Health collaborators in this space, check out the Dukes County Emergency Management Association, the research done by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, and the recently published Climate Action Plan from the Climate Action Plan for Martha’s Vineyard Public Health working group.

Other Resources

Local Resources
Martha’s Vineyard Commission
MV Cyano
Climate Action Plan for Martha’s Vineyard and Gosnold
Dukes County Emergency Management Association
Woods Hold Oceanographic Institute

National and State Resources
Environmental Protection Agency
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
CDC Environmental Health
NOAA