Samantha Kantrowitz's Page

Today I went with one of the inspectors on used oil inspections. Used oil can be a big problem when people just throw it away in their garbage or when stores manage it improperly because if it ends up in the landfill it can end up in the groundwater-- not a happy situation for anybody. Most of the Jiffy Lube/AutoZone/general oil change places in the valley now participate in a state program where they get money for every gallon of oil they give to the state, as well as accepting oil from "do-it-… Continue

#1: I am now officially a brochure-making pro. Want to know about electronic waste, sewer systems, or hazardous waste from dry cleaners, auto body shops, or car repair? Ask me. #2: Google is actually as amazing as you think it is. One of my supervisors was panicking on Monday because she had a meeting with the health department's lawyer about a potential and very likely lawsuit, and couldn't find a map of the area in question. Solution? Google. Search subdivision name, end up with GPS coordinan… Continue

This morning I met the lady who runs the health department's hazardous waste program at a park downtown to learn how to set up the farmer's market booth. At the booth we give out materials on how you should dispose of unused pharmaceuticals, electronic waste, batteries, oils, paints, etc. Some people have questions, but mostly they like the magnets. People were mainly interested in how to throw away their batteries-- alkaline batteries can go in the regular garbage, but rechargeable batteries li… Continue

Today I shadowed one of the water quality people who samples swimming pools. I'm glad I didn't pick it as my summer job, but it was really interesting. The first pool we went to was one that had been shut down by the health department a week ago and was applying to be reopened. They had to change some safety stuff-- make their gate automatically lock, paint lines on the pool steps and secure the handrail-- and they did, so now they're open. The second we went to was at another apartment complex… Continue

I spent part of Thursday and part of today shadowing one of the health department's food inspectors. So far I have seen an ice cream store, a snowie shack, two day cares, a taco cart, a restaurant in an office building, and a Chinese buffet. The verdict: my favorite ice cream store in downtown Salt Lake passed, which made me happy. You can't really do much to make snowcones unsafe. However, the inspector I was with today said the buffet we went to was one of the best ones, which I found pretty f… Continue