Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment
2085 Ozato, Ozato,Nanjo-shi, Okinawa, 901-1202 JAPAN
TEL: (+81)098-945-0781 FAX: (+81)098-945-9366
| General Affairs Group | (+81)098-945-0781 |
| Planning and Information Group | (+81)098-945-0782 |
| Infectious Disease Group | (+81)098-945-0785 |
| Foods and Drugs Group | (+81)098-945-0329 |
| Air Environment Group | (+81)098-945-0627 |
| Water Environment Group | (+81)098-945-0859 |
Biology and Ecology Group
2003 Ozato, Ozato, Nanjo-shi, Okinawa, 901-1202 JAPAN
TEL: (+81)098-946-6710 TEL: (+81)098-946-6711
Foundation
The Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment was founded as one of the institutions attached to the Department of Health and Welfare, Okinawa Prefectural Government in order to support the health and environment authority through technical and scientific activities. |
History
| 1946 | The Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Public Health (originally called the Central Hygienic Laboratory) was established as the technological and scientific core of the health authority of the Okinawa Civil Administration in the same area as the Okinawa Central Hospital, Koza City (presently Okinawa City). |
| 1952 | As soon as the Government of the Ryukyu Island was established, the Institute was renamed as Ryukyu Institute of Public Health and moved to the Naha Health Center, Naha City. |
| 1958 | The Laboratory moved into newly-built three-storied building in Naha City. |
| 1966 | The Habu Branch Laboratory was established in the new building constructed at Kyozuka, Urasoe-Village (presently Urasoe City). |
1968 | The Laboratory for Habu Antivenin Products was established and attached to the Ryukyu Hygienic Laboratory. |
| 1970 | Adding pollution control activities, the Laboratory was renamed as the Okinawa Institute of Public Health. |
The Institute was reorganized to comprise six sections (General Affairs, Pollution Control, Hygienic Chemistry, Medical Zoology, Epidemiology, Habu Branch Laboratory). | |
| 1972 | The Institute was renamed as the Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Public Health. |
| 1974 | The installation for ecological study of Habu was constructed. |
1980 | The Institute was moved into the newly-built building at Ozato, Ozato-Village. |
| 1983 | The Institute was reorganized to comprise two departments, seven sections and a Habu Branch Laboratory. |
| Participants from developing countries were first accepted to the Institute, for the JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) training program on public health. | |
| 1987 | The Institute was reorganized to comprise four departments, eight sections. |
| 1994 | The Institute was renamed as the Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, and reorganized to comprise three departments and ten sections (General Affairs, Epidemiological Information, Education and Guidance, Microbiology, Medical Zoology, Habu Research, Hygienic Chemistry, Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Soil Erosion). |
| 1998 | According to the administrative amendment of the Okinawa Prefectural Government, the superintendence of the Institute shifted from the Living Sanitation Division of the Department of Health and Environment to the Pharmaceutical Affairs and Sanitation Division of the Department of Health and Welfare. |
| By the introduction of Good Laboratory Practice Standard, a person in charge of Quality Assurance Unit was placed in the institute. | |
| 2000 | The Institute was reorganized to comprise three departments and nine sections. |
| 2004 | The Institute was reorganized to comprise three departments and eight sections. |
| 2006 | According to administrative amendment of the Okinawa Prefectural Goverment, the Institute was reorganized to comprise three department (Planning and Management, Biological sciences, Environmental Sciences. ) |
Department Of Planning and Management
General affairs management and accounting. Budgeting and settlements. Property management |
Planning and Information Group Planning, coordination and promotion of education. Reception of trainees of JICA and other foreign organizations. Publication of institutional annual report and research papers, newsletter. Planning and coordination of institutional research works. Coordination with other research institutes. Management of the Home Page and LAN system. Management of library. Epidemiological study of public health. Generation trend investigation of infection. Analysis and Supply of data on public health. Center and cerebral apoplexy registry. Epidemiological research on life-style related disease. Research on medical expenditure for the elderly. |
Department Of Biological Sciences
Infectious Disease Group Epidemiological survey on infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites. Examination of microorganisms in food and drinking water. Investigation and examination of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Investigation and examination of food poisoning agents caused by microorganisms. Training of microbiological and parasitological examinations. Ecological study and control of hygienic animals. Ecological study of dangerous marine animals. Epidemiological study of injuries caused by dangerous marine animals. Study of venom of dangerous marine animals. Control and measures of dangerous marine animals. |
Study of snake venom and antivenom. Improvement of clinical treatment for Habu-bites. Epidemiological study of Habu-bites. Habu control study. Rearing and handling of snakes. Ecological study of snakes. |
Inspection of foods and food additives. Analysis of poisonous substances, pesticide residues and heavy metals in foods. Inspection of drugs, cosmetics and container-packages. Analysis of nutrients in foods. Research on Okinawan herbs. Research on food poisoning due to Natural Toxins. |
Department Environmental Sciences
Research on air pollution Investigation of volatile organic compounds. Investigation of offensive odor. Investigation of noise and vibration. Investigation of environmental radioactivity. |
Research on water pollution.
Monitoring of public water area and ground water.
Monitoring of industrial effluent.
Monitoring of effluent from US military bases and coastal water influenced by military bases.
Monitoring of effluent from waste disposal facilities.
Evaluation of water quality by benthos.
Investigation of chemicals in the environment.
Evaluation of water quality by benthos.
Investigation of the effects of soil run-off on water environment.
Study of monitoring system for soil runoff-effects on the water environment.
Investigation of soil run-off sources.
Inspection and evaluation on the against soil run-off.