Health starts where we live, learn, work and play. Environmental health (EH) is an integral part of Minnesota's public health system. The Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) Advisory Council advises the Commissioner of Health regarding EH specialist/sanitarian registration standards, and enforcement of the REHS/RS rules, to provide for the dissemination of information regarding REHS/RS registration standards, and review applicants for registration or registration renewal.
There are many EH issues, including food borne disease outbreaks, air and water quality, solid waste and sewage disposal, the presence of hazardous and toxic substances, natural and man-made disasters, chemical and radiological exposures, and other health safety issues.
EH specialists/sanitarians administer environmental and public health programs for both public and private agencies and organizations through out the state and nation. Registration signifies a level of expertise and competence based on education and experience that is nationally recognized within the EH profession.
Registration has the primary purpose of protecting the public by eliminating the unqualified from professional practice. It is not designed to identify the most competent members of the profession, but to assure a minimum level of competence among all practitioners.