Environmental Health

The Air Quality Index (AQI) has increased in the Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma areas, which may require public and occupational health and safety measures to be taken (summarized below).

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) updated the outdoor heat exposure rules to address minimum requirements to prevent heat-related illness and reduce traumatic injuries for outdoor workers. The updated rules are in effect on July 17, 2023, and apply year-round.

University personnel can submit a Chemical Waste Collection Request to recycle a mercury thermometer by swapping it for a safer alcohol-filled thermometer. This exchange eliminates the risk of a mercury thermometer breaking, which can result in a costly cleanup and expose you to mercury, a potent neurotoxin.

Follow these steps to when submitting your Chemical Waste Collection Request:

The Washington State Department of Health is working with local and federal public health partners to investigate cases of Salmonella likely linked to consuming raw chocolate chip cookie dough and raw s’mores bars dough from Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza from multiple locations in Washington state. The company has discontinued selling the raw cookie dough products nationally at this time.  

UW Environmental Health & Safety has removed the requirement for COVID-19 prevention plans for in-person events. Event organizers can refer to the health and safety guidance, including public health best practices, on the updated Campus Event Safety webpage.