Our History

The Birth of DTSC

Forty-six years ago, DTSC was a Department of Health unit of five staff members. The toxic threats were real, but recognition of them was just beginning. Today, DTSC is a department with almost 1,000 staff members in 10 offices around the state, charged with protecting California’s people and environment from the harmful effects of toxic substances. How we got here is a story of crises and alarms; of public outrage and government response; of regulations and enforcement. It begins with a formal national recognition of the need for environmental protection.