About
OEHHA’s mission is to protect and enhance public health and the environment by scientific evaluation of risks posed by hazardous substances.
- Contact the OEHHA Web Mistress for help with, or questions about, this web site.
- Contact Information Phone numbers, e-mail addresses, for all OEHHA employees
Sacramento Office
1001 I Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 324-7572
Map and directions
our mailing address:
Post Office Box 4010
Sacramento, CA 95812-4010.
Oakland Office
1515 Clay Street, 16th floor
Oakland, California 94612
(510) 622-3200
Map and directions
- OEHHA video: Science for a Healthy California
- OEHHA's Organizational Chart
- OEHHA's strategic Plan
- OEHHA's Timeline
- OEHHA's Conflict of Interest Code
- OEHHA Staff Web Services
Executive Office
Lauren Zeise, Director
(916) 322-6325
Allan Hirsch, Chief Deputy Director
(916) 322-6325
David Siegel
Acting Assistant Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs
Susan Villa, Deputy Director, Administrative Services
Carol J Monahan Cummings, Chief Counsel
(916) 322-6325
Sam Delson, Deputy Director, External and Legislative Affairs
(916) 322-6325
File an Environmental Complaint
If you have observed an activity, physical evidence of an activity or have knowledge of what you think may be a possible illegal act that caused harm or damage to California's public health or environment, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) would like to know. Use this Environmental Complaint Form to file an environmental complaint with CalEPA.
Department Description
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is the lead state agency for the assessment of health risks posed by environmental contaminants. OEHHA’s mission is to protect human health and the environment through scientific evaluation of risks posed by hazardous substances. The Office is one of five state departments within the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA).
OEHHA implements the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly known as Proposition 65, and compiles the state’s list of substances that cause cancer or reproductive harm. The Office also develops health-protective exposure levels for contaminants in air, water, and soil as guidance for regulatory agencies and the public. These include public health goals for contaminants in drinking water and both cancer potency factors and non-cancer reference exposure levels for the Air Toxics Hot Spots Program.
Other key OEHHA activities include:
- Developing fish advisories for mercury and other contaminants in sport fish from water bodies throughout the state, and making recommendations regarding fishing safety and closures after marine oil spills.
- Collaborating with the California Department of Public Health and Department of Toxic Substances Control on the Biomonitoring California program, which measures levels of chemicals found in Californians’ bodies.
- Developing a pioneering environmental health screening tool that can be used to put together a more comprehensive picture of the burdens California communities face from environmental pollutants and their vulnerability to health and economic impacts.
- Identifying and analyzing indicators of climate change through the Environmental Protection Indicators for California program.
The Office also provides scientific peer review of pesticide risk assessments; works with the Department of Pesticide Regulation to develop regulations to protect pesticide worker health and safety; trains physicians to recognize pesticide-related illnesses; and works with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to provide health information on pesticide applications aimed at combating invasive species.
Program Descriptions