Environmental Investigations & Complaints

Purpose: 
The purpose of the complaint program is to provide a means for the public to notify the health department of concerns regarding public health in Hamilton County.  The concerns must pertain to issues in which the local health department has regulatory authority as prescribed through state law and county ordinance.  The goal is to gain information from the public to assist in safeguarding public health through the various programs provided through the health department.  Investigations are completed through complaint inspections, correspondence, documentation, education to all parties involved, and potential legal actions.

Complaint Types:     

  • Food safety (retail food service facilities, schools, manufactured food contamination)
  • Sewage discharge
  • Public and Semi-public swimming pools
  • Housing sanitation
  • Mold and indoor air concerns
  • Rodent and insect infestations (of public health significance)

Other complaints should be directed to the appropriate regulatory authority

  • Weeds and Tall Grass - Contact Township Trustee office
  • Abandoned Structure - Contact the Local Planning Department
  • Abandoned Vehicle - Contact the local Law enforcement agency
  1. Indoor Air -Mold

Currently, there are no statutory regulations or standards that require mold to be cleaned up or address how much mold you can be exposed to. The Hamilton County Health Department provides education but cannot take enforcement actions or engage in any landlord/tenant disputes regarding mold.

What is Mold?

Molds are fungi that are found almost everywhere. More than likely you are breathing mold spores right now! Molds grow throughout the environment, inside and out, in soils, on food, on plants, and even on building materials when moisture is

present. Molds occur naturally in the environment and formed by decomposition of organic matter. (Cheese and penicillin are both products of mold.) There are various colors of mold including white, green, black, and orange. They reproduce by releasing microscopic spores that spread easily in the air and can enter a home or building through windows, doors, cracks, and vents.

How do I know if I have a MOLD problem?

Use your eyes and your nose to determine if your home or workplace has a mold problem. If you see mold and there is a musty smell it is probably safe to assume you may have a mold problem. Also look for signs of moisture problems such as water leaks in pipes and the roof, standing water, and water stains on the floors, walls, and other building materials.

BE ON THE ALERT FOR FURTHER MOLD GROWTH AND PREVENT IT FROM GROWING!!!

  • Keep humidity levels below 40%!
  • Exhaust cooking areas, clothes dryers, and bathrooms to the outdoors. Make sure they do not vent to the attic or inside.
  • Have your heating and cooling system checked regularly and change filters monthly.
  • Immediately address any leaking pipes, flooded basements, roof leaks, ice dams, and other sources of water within the home or workplace.
  • In hot and humid weather use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to lower the humidity within the indoor air.

If you are allergic to mold or suffer from asthma you should not attempt to clean up the mold and leave the home or workplace while the clean up occurs.

If the mold is growing over greater than 10 square feet of a surface area within your home or workplace, you may need to hire a professional to clean it up.

Other Resources:

For more information on mold and mold clean up you may refer to the

A Guide to Mold, Moisture, and your Home Source USEPA

  1. Food Safety
  1. Housing
  1. Trash
  1. Sewage
  1. Rodent & Insects

Reporting an Environmental Complaint


Health complaint may be submitted through the applicable online services page:
Food Safety  -  Sewage DisposalMosquito Control - Environmental (all other) 

Be prepared to submit

  • Name and Contact number
  • Location of Complaint
  • Nature of complaint
Complaints are public record once completed.