Show All Answers

1. Where can I find a list of fees?

You can find a list of fees on our most current fee schedule.

2. Where is the Refund Request Form?

Refund Request Form - Fill out and return or email Environmental Health Refund Request Form to environmentalhealth@peoriacounty.org .

Show All Answers

1. Where can I review food establishment inspections?

Review inspections of food service establishments in Peoria County.

2. Where can I sign up for food sanitation manager classes?

You can view a list of classes on the state health website.

3. How can I obtain more information about foodborne illness?

You can visit our food-borne illness information on the food-borne illness page. Also, more information regarding food-borne illness can be obtained by visiting the FDA website.

4. What happens when an outbreak of foodborne illness occurs?

In the event of a food-borne illness outbreak, the Environmental Health Department, in conjunction with the Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Departments, investigate the cause of the outbreak and how to prevent future outbreak. A food service establishment must close if there is no way to prevent future outbreaks in a timely matter.

5. How does the Environmental Health Department receive complaints for a food service establishment?

The public contacts the department regarding the unsafe practices of a food service establishment. To file a complaint, contact the Environmental Health Department at 309-679-6161, or by email.

6. How is a food-borne illness complaint handled?

In such cases, the problem will be investigated to find the source of the illnesses and help the operator correct the issue. If the problem is an imminent health hazard and cannot be easily fixed, the food service establishment has to be closed until the problem can be eliminated.

7. What information do I need to give the Health Department if I am reporting a suspected food-borne illness?

A 72 hour food history (including beverages, where consumed, time consumed, etc.) will assist with the investigation and can help identify a potential outbreak by linking other food-borne illness complaints.
Examples of other questions that will be asked about include the source of the drinking water, travel, pets, caring for children/adults with diapers, and recreational water exposure (i.e. water parks, rivers, creeks, etc.).

8. How are food-borne illness complaints handled?

When a food-borne illness complaint is received, the problem will be investigated to find the source of the illness and help the operator correct the issue. If the problem is an imminent health hazard and cannot be easily fixed, the food service establishment has to be closed until the problem can be eliminated.

Show All Answers

1. Do you perform radon testing?

No, you would need to refer to the Radon page on the IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency) website or Department of Nuclear Safety. You may also purchase a radon test kit at your local home improvement store.

2. I have mold in my house, what can I do?

There are no standards or regulations for mold enforcement in the State of Illinois. Some useful links for more information include:

• A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home
• Mold and Your Health Fact Sheet
• Common Questions and Answers About Indoor Mold
• Reducing Your Exposure to Mold

3. What do I do in the case of a small mercury spill?

You can follow this information if a small amount of mercury is spilled (dime size or smaller amount).

Show All Answers

1. Where can I find the Onsite Wastewater Homeowner Education material?

You can view the homeowner onsite wastewater educational program online.

2. Can I schedule an onsite wastewater treatment system inspection through your office for a real estate transaction?

No, the Health Department only inspects newly permitted systems or complaints. Real estate inspections are to be done by a licensed and registered private sewage disposal system contractor.

Show All Answers

1. Can I schedule a well inspection through your office for a real estate transaction?

No, the Health Department only inspects newly permitted wells or complaints. Real estate inspections are to be done by a licensed and registered private well contractor.

Show All Answers

1. What are noroviruses?

Noroviruses are a group of related viruses that affect the intestinal tract causing gastroenteritis illness. This group of viruses has been also referred to as caliciviruses and Norwalk-like viruses. These viruses are an important cause of gastrointestinal illness throughout the United States, including Illinois.

2. What are the symptoms of noroviruses?

Many of the noroviruses cause similar symptoms that usually occur between 24 hours and 48 hours after exposure. They include the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Body aches
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Low-grade fever
• Nausea
• Tiredness
• Vomiting

Symptoms typically last 24 hours to 60 hours and subside on their own. There are no known long-term effects after recovery from this infection.

3. How common is norovirus infection?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least half of all food-borne outbreaks of gastroenteritis can be attributed to noroviruses. Some studies indicate that more than 60 percent of the U.S. population is exposed to one or more of these viruses by the age of 50. Noroviruses are highly contagious and can spread easily from person to person.

4. How do people come in contact with these viruses?

Humans are the only source for these viruses. These viruses do not multiply outside the human body. The viruses are present in the feces of infected persons and can be transmitted to others when hands are not thoroughly washed after having a bowel movement.

When an infected person who did not wash hands after toileting handles food that is not later cooked, others who eat the food can become infected. Heating foods to cooking temperatures kills these viruses. People also can be infected by drinking water contaminated by sewage containing one of these viruses or by consuming ice made from contaminated water.

Unless thoroughly cooked, shellfish (such as oysters) harvested from waters containing sewage can transmit the viruses. These viruses also are transmitted readily from person to person when hands are not washed after toileting. There is some evidence that the viruses can be transmitted by aerosolized vomit or contact with objects contaminated with fecal material.

5. How can these infections be prevented?

Food handlers should practice careful handwashing after toileting and before food preparation. Food handlers should not have bare hand contact with ice. Persons involved in food preparation who have symptoms of gastroenteritis should be restricted from work until they no longer have diarrhea.

Water supplies should be protected from the risk of contamination by sewage. Plumbing in dwellings and business establishments should be constructed with no cross-connections to prevent sewage from entering the drinking water supply.

Show All Answers

1. What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs but can attack any part of the body such as kidney, spine or brain. The bacteria can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.

2. How is TB spread?

TB is spread through the air from one person to another when the infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings. People nearby may breathe in the bacteria and become infected. Most individuals that are infected with TB will never develop active disease.

3. What is a TB skin test and why do I have to have one?

A tuberculin skin test (TST) is a screening test that is an injection of a small amount of testing fluid (tuberculin PPD) into the inner surface of the forearm. After you receive a TST, you will need to return in 2 to 3 days, so the nurse can check your arm to read your test.

The nurse will look and feel for any measurable swelling in the area of the injection. The most common reasons adults may need a TST are for employment exams or school requirements.

4. What happens if I have a positive TB skin test?

When your skin test is read, your evaluation will include a discussion of your risk factors and symptoms for TB infection and disease. You will be referred back to your doctor for follow up care. Since the skin test is a screening test to see if you have had TB at some time in your life, your doctor may order additional tests to determine if TB is active now or is a past infection.