Meet Mike: Environmental health specialist for Ramsey County
Get to know the Environmental Health Division of Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health.
This month, meet Mike Gilles! Below, Gilles shares about his work managing childhood lead poisoning cases and some tips for those interested in the field.
At a glance
- Year started: 2006.
- Role: Environmental health specialist.
- Unit: Healthy Homes Program.
- Main role: Manage childhood lead poisoning cases in the county.
Tell us about your role.
I do environmental assessments in homes where there are children with elevated blood lead levels. My job is to help find potential lead hazards in the child’s environment. This involves conducting lead dust, water and soil sampling, and doing a room-by-room inspection using a lead-detection device called an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer.
I look for surfaces with peeling or chipping paint or ones that may be accessible by young children. One example is older window components with deteriorated lead-based paint on them. The property owner is responsible for making the necessary repairs. We have financial resources available to help them make these repairs.
Why do you work in the field of environmental health? What motivates you?
I think it’s important to ensure the health and safety of all our residents. People count on us to protect them and keep their families safe.
In my role, keeping children safe is of utmost importance. They are the future generation, and we must ensure they have a clean, healthy, and safe environment to flourish in.
What is your favorite sustainability strategy?
Being aware of how my personal habits can impact the environment. Being mindful of not wasting water; reducing my energy use at home; recycling; and biking, walking or using public transportation as an alternative to driving.
What advice do you have for others who want to serve in this field?
Environmental health is a very broad field, so there are numerous pathways. My greatest advice is to find a way to work in environmental health through internships, fellowships or volunteering, and interact with other people. It’s an excellent way to apply knowledge and principles to real world scenarios. Overall, just be open to new experiences and learning new skills.
When I’m not working for environmental health, you can find me...
At the fire station working shifts as a part-time firefighter/EMT, the gym for a good work-out, doing an outdoor activity or traveling.
Learn more about identifying, removing and preventing lead at home.
This article is featured in Green Ramsey, an environmental health newsletter from Ramsey County.
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