The clinic’s dentist, Dr. Daniel Carrier, encourages parents to develop the following healthy-smile habits with their children:

1. Take children to the dentist as soon as they turn 1.
2. Brush children’s teeth twice a day as soon as the teeth begin to erupt.
3. Use non-fluoride toothpaste that is safe to swallow until the age of 3.
4. Do not let children take a bottle or a “sippy” cup to bed unless it is water.

Carrier added that it is important forMonongaliaCountyresidents to realize that the health department also offers a sliding-fee payment scale, which significantly reduces the cost of dental care for low-income families. The dental staff will educate new patients about the sliding-fee scale, in which payment is determined by family size and the parents’ annual income from the most recent Federal 1040 tax form. The Dental Clinic also accepts WV Medicaid, CHIP and most dental insurances.

 The MCHD Dental Clinic provides preventive services including: exams, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride (age appropriate), sealants (age appropriate) and dental health education. Restorative services include: fillings, stainless steel crowns, pulp therapies and simple extractions.  The clinic will seeWest Virginiaresidents 1 to 21 years of age.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact the dental clinic at 304-598-5108.

Please visit our website at mchddental.com or contact Holly K. Hildreth at the Monongalia County Health Department at 304-598-5100 with any questions or concerns.

 The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that everyone over 6 months of age receives a seasonal flu shot. To decrease the financial burden of vaccinating an entire family, the MCHD opted to decrease the cost of the vaccine from $20 to $10.

The influenza season generally peaks in February or March.

 “It’s not too late to protect your family during the peak of flu season,” said Holly K. Hildreth, public health educator for the Monongalia County Health Department (MCHD).

 The CDC also emphasizes the need for pregnant women, and family members of infants up to 6 months, to receive the flu vaccine.

 “Infants younger than 6 months who are not able to receive the vaccine have no immunity to fight off the flu,” Hildreth said. “It’s up to family members to protect them, and that means getting vaccinated.”

 Children 6 months to 5 years of age are also more likely to develop complications as a result of the flu.

Anyone who would like to schedule an appointment at the MCHD may call (304)598-5119.

 Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air, but it can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. Scientists have long been concerned about the health risks of radon, but never before has there been such overwhelming evidence that exposure to elevated levels of radon can cause lung cancer in humans.

 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in theU.S.after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

 Testing homes for elevated levels of radon is simple and inexpensive. Radon test kits can be purchased at local hardware and home improvement stores or directly from radon testing companies. Many are priced under $25. Radon problems can be fixed by qualified contractors for a cost of approximately $800 to $2,500.

 The MCHD urgesMonongaliaCountyresidents to take action during this year’s National Radon Action Month by testing their homes for radon.

 For more information on radon, radon testing and mitigation, and radon-resistant new construction, call the MCHD at (304)598-5131, visit our website at www.monchd.org or visit EPA’s National Radon Action Month Web site at www.epa.gov/radon/nram.

CLEAN INDOOR AIR REGULATION

 The Monongalia County Health Department hereby ordains that the Monongalia County Clean Indoor Air Regulation, as adopted on April 23, 1999, is amended as:

 TITLE

 This Regulation shall be known as the Monongalia County Clean Indoor Air Regulation.

 FINDINGS AND PURPOSE

The United States Surgeon General and other authoritative public health authorities have determined that involuntary inhalation of tobacco smoke (a) is a cause of numerous diseases in healthy non-smokers; (b) is a major contributor to indoor air pollution; (c)  places children, unborn children of pregnant women elderly people, and individuals with cardiovascular and/or respiratory disease at special risk;   (d) is a trigger for acute episodes of respiratory distress and myocardial infarction; (f) increases the lifetime exposure to carcinogenic tobacco smoke of  both smokers and non-smokers;  (e) burdens the health care system by increasing the number and frequency of required hospital admissions and emergency visits thereby increasing the public and private expenditures required for the treatment; (f) reduces the life expectancy of persons consistently exposed to secondary smoke and (g) causes substantial losses in productivity through smoking related absences from work and school.

Accordingly, the purposes of this Regulation are (1) to protect the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in enclosed public places (2) to  prohibit smoking in places of employment (3) to recognize that where the need to breathe smoke-free air conflicts with the desire to smoke, the need to breathe smoke-free air shall have priority, (4) to facilitate smoking cessation by active smokers and (5) to discourage non-smokers from taking up the habit and thereby developing a nicotine addiction.

 DEFINITIONS

 The following words and phrases, whenever used in this Regulation, shall be construed as defined in this section:

1. “Bar” means an area which is primarily devoted to the serving of alcoholic beverages, for consumption by guests on the premises and in which the serving of food is only incidental to the consumption of such beverages.

1. “Cigar Bar” means an establishment devoted to the storage, sale and smoking of cigars. A cigar bar must generate 60% or more of its total gross annual income from the on-site sale of cigars and the rental of on-site humidors.  A humidor means an enclosure or fixture that is stationary and used for the humidification of cigars that is on the premises of the establishment. The cigar bar must prohibit the smoking of all other tobacco products. The cigar bar must be physically separated from any areas of the same or adjacent establishment in which smoking is prohibited. Access to the establishment must be street or side walk entrance. The cigar bar must have an installed on-site humidor and the establishment must have appropriate ventilation with no functioning return air ducts in the smoking area.

1. “Hookah Lounge” means an establishment where patrons share tobacco from a communal hookah which is placed at each table. The smoking of all other tobacco products is prohibited. This establishment shall not be granted a food establishment permit. A food establishment permit would disqualify the establishment as a Hookah Lounge.

1. “Employee” means any person employed by an employer for direct or indirect monetary wages or anything of value, or any person who volunteers for a non-profit entity.

1. “Employer” means any entity or person who employs the paid or volunteer services of one or more persons.

1. “Enclosed Area” means all space between a floor and ceiling which is enclosed, that is bounded on at least two sides by walls, doorways or windows, whether open or closed. A wall includes any retractable divider, garage door, or other physical barrier, whether temporary or permanent and whether or not containing openings of any kind.

1. “Place of Employment” means any enclosed area under the control of a public or private employer that employees are required to enter, leave or pass through during the course of employment, including private offices; work areas; restrooms; conference and classrooms; break rooms; cafeterias; and other common areas.  A private residence, unless used to provide licensed child care, foster care, adult care, or other similar social service care on the premises, is not a place of employment.  Vehicles provided by an employer for use by employees, during the course of employment shall be considered as places of employment for purposes of these regulations.

1. ”Private Club” means an entity falling within the definition of Private Club as set forth in Section 60-7-2 of the West Virginia Code, for purposes of State Control of Alcoholic Liquors.

1. “Public Place” means any enclosed area to which the public is invited or in which the public is permitted, regardless of whether the building is owned in whole or in part by private persons or governmental entities.  A “public place” includes, but is not limited to hospitals, restaurants, retail stores, offices, commercial establishments, elevators, indoor theaters, public transit, libraries, museums, concert halls, public conveyances, bowling alleys, educational facilities, nursing homes, auditoriums, meeting rooms, schools, exhibition halls, convention facilities, polling places, bars, private clubs, gaming facilities, healthcare facilities or clinics, enclosed shopping centers, retail service establishments, financial institutions, educational facilities, ticket areas, public hearing facilities, public restrooms, waiting areas, attorney’s and doctor’s offices.  A private residence is not a “public place” unless used to provide licensed childcare, foster care, adult care, or other similar social service care on the premises.

1. “Retail Store” means any establishment that sells goods or services directly to members of the general public including but not limited to grocery stores, specialty stores, department stores, pharmacies, banks, automobile dealerships, showrooms, professional offices, service stations, repair or maintenance stores, barber or beauty shops, cleaners, and laundromats.

1. “Tobacco Business” means an establishment utilized primarily for the sale of tobacco products and the smoking thereof on site; and at least 75% of the total annual gross sales of the business are from the sale of tobacco and tobacco related products. The sale of such other products shall be considered incidental if such sales generate less than 25% of the total annual gross sales.  A retail tobacco store cannot possess a food establishment permit.

1. “Smoking” means inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, plant or other smoking equipment in any manner or in any form.

 REGULATION OF SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES

 A.        Smoking shall be prohibited in all enclosed public places withinMonongaliaCounty, including, but not limited to the following places:

1.         All means of public transit including taxis and buses, and all areas, including ticket, boarding and waiting areas. 

                        2.         Retail stores and tobacco businesses.

                        3.         All restaurants, private clubs, video lottery parlors and bars.

4.         Every room, chamber, place of meeting or public assembly, including school buildings , under the control of any board, council, commission, committee, including joint committees or any political subdivision of the State.

                        5.         All patient rooms, waiting rooms and other public areas in health facilities,

including, but not limited to hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, physical therapy facilities, doctors’ offices and dentists’ offices.

                        6.         Enclosed shopping malls.

B.         In any dispute arising under this Regulation, the health concerns of the nonsmoker shall be given precedence.

 REGULATION OF SMOKING IN ENCLOSED PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT

It shall be the responsibility of employers to provide a smoke-free workplace for all employees.  Each employer having an enclosed place of employment located withinMonongaliaCountyshall adopt, implement, make known and maintain a written smoking policy which shall contain the following requirements:

      Smoking shall be prohibited in all enclosed facilities within a place of employment.

            This includes common work areas, auditoriums, classrooms, conference and meeting

            rooms, private offices, elevators, hallways, medical facilities, cafeterias, employee

            lounges, stairs, restrooms, vehicles and all other enclosed facilities.

 All employers shall supply a written copy of the smoking policy, upon request, to any existing or prospective employee.

 WHERE SMOKING IS NOT REGULATED

A.    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Regulation to the contrary, the following areas shall not be subject to the smoking restrictions of this Regulation:

1. Hookah lounges
2. Private residences, except when used as a child care facility, adult care, foster care or other similar social care.
3. Cigar bars doing business inMonongaliaCountyprior to date of adoption of this Regulation shall be considered as grandfathered and smoking therein shall be considered as grandfathered. Any such existing business desiring grandfathering recognition by the Monongalia County Health Department within sixty days of the adoption of this grandfathering amendment shall provide proof to the Health Department that (1) it meets the definition of a cigar bar, as defined within this regulation and (2) was in business as a cigar bar prior to the adoption of this Regulation.  No such grandfathered business shall be allowed to expand the square footage of its smoking area beyond that which existed at the time this Regulation was adopted.  Smoke must be actively exhausted from the cigar bar, may not infiltrate into adjoining nonsmoking areas or into adjoining residences, apartments or enclosed public spaces and must be vented to the atmosphere in such manner that it will not be drawn back into the building from which it emanates or into an adjoining structure.  Any such cigar bar that ceases doing business for more than sixty (60) consecutive calendar days shall lose its grandfathered status and smoking therein shall be prohibited.

1. Bingo operations operating under West Virginia Code Section 47-20-28a that distribute more than one hundred bingo cards or bingo sheets, but only for so long as the  statutory interpretation of said code section provided by the West Virginia Supreme Court in the case of  Foundation for Independent Living et. al. v. The Cabell-HuntingtonBoard of Health, 591 S.E. 2d 749, (W.Va.2003) remains the law.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any person who controls any establishment described in this section may declare that entire establishment as a non smoking facility.

POSTING OF SIGNS

1. Because rules regulating smoking are primarily self-enforcing, their success depends heavily upon adequate signage.

2. “No Smoking” signs  shall be prominently posted in every building or other place where smoking is controlled by this Regulation, by the owner, operator, manager or other person having control of such building or other place.

3. Cigar Bars must clearly post Red/White signage stating ”NO ONE UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE ADMITTED.“

 ENFORCEMENT

 A.  Although smoking regulations are primarily self-regulating through social pressure, enforcement of this Regulation shall be the responsibility of the Monongalia County Health Department or its designee.

 B.   Any owner, operator, manager or other person of any establishment regulated by this Regulation shall inform persons violating this Regulation of the appropriate provisions thereof.

NON-RETALIATION          

No person or employer shall discharge, refuse to hire or in any way retaliate against any employee, applicant for employment or member of the public because such person exercises any rights afforded by this Regulation.

 OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS

This Regulation shall not be interpreted or construed to permit smoking where it is otherwise restricted by other applicable laws, ordinances or regulations.

 SEVERABILITY

If any portion of this Regulation or the application thereof shall be held invalid, the other provisions of this Regulation shall not be affected, and to this end the provisions of this Regulation are declared to be severable.

VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

A. Violations:

 Willful violation of this Clean Indoor Air Regulation is an unlawful act.

(1) Any person who owns, manages, operates or otherwise controls the use of a premise shall commit a willful violation if they:

(a) Knowingly permit smoking on a premises subject to their control in an area where smoking is prohibited by the provisions of this Clean Indoor Air Regulation, or

(b) Knowingly violate any other provision of this Clean Indoor Air Regulation.

(2) Any person smoking in an area of a premise where smoking is prohibited with knowledge that he or she is in a non-smoking area commits a willful violation of this Clean Indoor Air Regulation.

B. Penalties:

The Board of Health may, at its option, seek civil relief and/or file a misdemeanor under WV Code §16-2-15 against any person who willfully violates this Clean Indoor Air Regulation.

Enforcement through civil process, includes, but is not limited to a petition for injunctive relief.

Any person who willfully violates this Clean Indoor Air Regulation, may be charged with a misdemeanor under WV Code §16-2-15 and, upon conviction, be subject to a monetary fine. At the time of the adoption of this Clean Indoor Air Regulation, West Virginia Code §16-2-15 provided as follows:

§16-2-15. Obstructing local health officers and others in the enforcement of public health laws; other violations; penalties.

Any person who willfully obstructs any local health officer, public health nurse, sanitarian or any other person charged with the enforcement of any public health law, in the performance of that person’s legal duties in enforcing the law, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars and not more than five hundred dollars.

Any person who willfully violates any of the provisions of this article, or any of the rules or orders adopted or issued pursuant to the provisions, for which a penalty is not otherwise provided, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars.

Magistrates have concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts of this state for violations of provisions of this article.

 EFFECTIVE DATE

This Regulation, as amended, shall become effective 60 days after Board of Health adoption and a Notice of Publication for three successive days in a newspaper of general circulation inMonongalia County,West Virginia. Existing establishments covered by this Regulation may apply to the Monongalia County Health Department for an extension on a case by case basis to meet capital improvement requirements not to be unreasonably withheld.

___________________________________                          ______________________________

County Health Officer                                                             Chairman, Board of Health

AMENDED: ______________

FILED: __________________

9:30 a.m., MCHD Conference Room

1. Review and approval of Board of Health meeting minutes for December 5, 2011 previously mailed.

2. Executive Director’s Report:

• Financials
• Approval of FY 2011 Audit

 3.  Old Business:

• Motion to Un-table Clean Indoor Air Regulation from May 29, 2008 and to cure any violation from un-totaling July 28, 2011 and Dec. 5, 2011. 
• Public comment regarding proposed amendment to Clean Indoor Air Regulation
• Board action on amended to Clean Indoor Air Regulation 

4. New Business:

5. Executive Session: (Personnel Issues)

In accordance with West Virginia Code 6-9A-4, 2(A) matters arising from the appointment, employment, retirement, promotion, transfer, demotion, disciplining, resignation, discharge, dismissal, or compensation of a public officer or employee, or prospective public officer or employee unless the public officer or

6. Other:

7. Adjourn

SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA

TUESDAY  DECEMBER 20, 2011

10:30 a.m.

MCHD Conference Room

453 Van Voorhis Road

Morgantown,WV 26505

_____________________________________________________________

1. Call Meeting to Order – Explain to Attendees the purpose of the meeting and the guidelines for the meeting

1. Free and Full Discussion of the Special Committee regarding the Clear Indoor Air Regulation in order to correct any real or perceived violations of the WV Open Governmental Proceedings

1. Public Comment Regarding Clean Indoor Air Regulation

1. Adjourn

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone 6 months and older who wants to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza (flu) or spreading influenza to others should receive the seasonal flu.

 After receiving the vaccine, it takes two weeks to develop immunity.

“As we surround ourselves with family and friends during the holiday season, we could expose ourselves to the flu,” said Holly K. Hildreth, public health educator for the MCHD.  “Receiving the flu shot now would help protect you and your loved ones as the upcoming holiday approaches. As an added bonus, you’d be prepared as the peak of flu season nears.”

 In West Virginia, flu season generally peaks in February and March.

Influenza is a contagious, respiratory illness caused by the influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death.

 Influenza is transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes near a susceptible person.  Contact with contaminated surfaces is another possible source of transmission. Most adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick.

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. The vaccine composition typically changes annually and provides protection against three specific influenza strains. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against those specific strains of influenza.  Yearly flu vaccination should begin as soon as the vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season into December, January and beyond, because the timing and duration of the influenza seasons vary.

While everyone 6 months of age or older should be vaccinated for the flu each year, it is especially important that certain people get vaccinated. These people are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications, or they live with or care for high-risk persons.  They include:

• Children aged 6 months up to 5 years old
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
  • Health care workers
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

However, some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting their physician. They include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
• People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

 The influenza vaccine is available, by appointment only, at the MCHD. The cost of the flu shot is $14.49 for children 6 months to 18 years and $20 for adults 19 to 64. The MCHD will bill Medicare for anyone 65 or older. 

 To schedule an appointment for the flu vaccination, please call 304-598-5123.

 WASH HANDS PROPERLY – Hand washing is one of the most important control measures to protect both the preparer and the food. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for 15 to 20 seconds after:

• Visiting the restroom, coughing, sneezing, eating, drinking, touching bare human body parts or using a tissue or tobacco.
• Handling soiled dishes or utensils, emptying the garbage, caring for animals or engaging in any activity that may contaminate hands.
• Before and after preparing any type of food, especially when switching between raw and ready-to-eat food.

THAW YOUR TURKEYS PROPERLY – Do not thaw a turkey, or any food item, on the counter. Room temperature thawing provides the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply rapidly. Food safety experts recommend thawing foods:

• In the refrigerator, allowing 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey.
• Completely submerging small portions of food under running water that is less than 71 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In the microwave oven, immediately followed by cooking for smaller quantities of food.
• As part of the cooking process for previously-cooked food or for commercially-processed items.

PREVENT CROSS-CONTAMINATION

• Keep raw meat, poultry or seafood separate from each other and away from other foods. Store on the lowest shelf to keep juices from dripping on to other foods.
• When barbecuing or cooking raw animal food, use a different plate and utensils for cooked food than the ones that held the raw food.
• Clean with hot, soapy water then disinfect cutting boards, utensils and kitchen surfaces after preparing raw meat, poultry, seafood or other foods. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw animal food as an additional safeguard.
• Prepare a solution of 1 teaspoon commercial bleach to 1 gallon of warm water to disinfect surfaces.

COOK FOODS THOROUGHLY

• Meat and poultry should be cooked all the way through until the juices run clear. Cook thawed turkey at 325 degrees for 15 minutes per pound.
• Cook stuffed or unstuffed turkey to an internal temperature of 180 degrees and separately cooked homemade stuffing to 165 degrees. Do not put warm stuffing into a cold turkey. Warm stuffing could cause bacteria inside of the turkey to reproduce. Cool the stuffing first, then place into the turkey prior to cooking.
• Do not taste or eat raw, rare or even pink ground meat or poultry in any form.  When eating out, order ground meats and poultry thoroughly cooked.
• Cook seafood until it is opaque and flaky. Avoid raw shellfish, such as oysters or clams, even if marinated.
• Cook eggs thoroughly to be firm and not runny, or substitute with pasteurized eggs.
• Avoid eating other foods that contain raw or undercooked eggs, such as homemade Caesar salad dressing or cookie dough.

STORE FOOD PROPERLY

• Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods right away after returning from the store.
• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold after they are prepared.
• Refrigerate or freeze leftovers promptly in shallow containers. Do not leave food out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Remember, most bacteria double every 20 minutes at room temperature.
• Use the first in, first out method by serving the food prepared the earliest first. And remember, “When in doubt, throw it out it.”

Please contact Holly Hildreth at the Monongalia County Health Department at

304-598-5100 with any questions or concerns or log onto our Web site at www.monchd.org.

http://mchdenvironmentalhealth.weebly.com/food-inspections.html

These clinics are by appointment only and for those 18 years of age and older.  Children 6 months up to 18 years of age without a primary care provider may also receive a flu shot.  The cost of the flu shot is $14.49 for children 6 months to 18 years and $20 for adults 19 to 64. The MCHD will bill Medicare for anyone 65 or older. 

 The clinics will be held:

Sept. 13:       9 a.m. to 11a.m.

Sept. 14: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Sept. 27:   1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 28:   1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 29:        9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 Future clinics will be announced at a later date.To schedule an appointment for the flu vaccination, please call 304-598-5123.