Environmental Public Health

Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected, indoors and outdoors, year round. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions. Outdoors they can be found in shady, damp areas or places where leaves or other vegetation is decomposing. Indoors they can be found where humidity levels are high, such as basements or showers. Indoor mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people.

The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem. It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. Depending on the size of the area affected, you may need to hire a professional remediation service to rid your home of mold. Before attempting to remove mold yourself, seek out advice from a professional. Some mold can be toxic and it is not safe to attempt removal on your own.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC): www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm

To speak with a local public health professional, please contact Public Health Solutions at 402-826-3880 or email info@phsneb.org

Also check out a public service flyer here!

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., second only to smoking. You can help protect yourself and your family. Public Health Solutions Health Department provides free Radon test kits throughout the year. We also provide information on outside mitigation services that will work with the homeowner to lower Radon levels in existing homes, and offer Radon resistant methods for new home construction.

Radon is a serious issue and is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that occurs naturally in the soil and can enter homes through cracks and holes in the foundation, walls and water pipes. In Nebraska there are dangerously high levels of Radon and nearly one in two homes has levels well above the safe zone.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises that homes with Radon levels of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air or more be mitigated (fixed). Knowing the Radon level in your home is important because the problem can be fixed by installing a Radon mitigation system. Also, it is important for people building new homes to learn about Radon resistant construction techniques.

PHS has FREE Radon test kits available at our office locations and UNL Extension offices in our district. Testing is simple and easy. To request your free test kit, contact 402-826-3880 or visit our offices.

For further information please visit the EPA’s website to view the “Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction” at www.epa.gov.

Bed bugs are small wingless insects, approximately one-fourth of an inch long that feed on blood, normally during the night. Bed bugs, a problem worldwide, are resurging, causing property loss, expense, and inconvenience. The good news is that bed bugs do not transmit disease. The best way to prevent bed bugs is regular inspection for signs of an infestation.

Bed bug infestations usually occur around or near the areas where people sleep. These areas include apartments, shelters, rooming houses, hotels, cruise ships, buses, trains, and dorm rooms. They hide during the day in places such as seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, dresser tables, inside cracks or crevices, behind wallpaper, or any other clutter or objects around a bed. Bed bugs have been shown to be able to travel over 100 feet in a night but tend to live within 8 feet of where people sleep.

One of the easiest ways to identify a bed bug infestation is by the tell-tale bite marks on the face, neck, arms, hands, or any other body parts while sleeping. However, these bite marks may take as long as 14 days to develop in some people so it is important to look for other clues when determining if bed bugs have infested an area. These signs include:

Rabies is a viral disease of the nervous system which can infect humans through the saliva of infected animals. Animals that may carry the rabies virus are dogs, cats, bats, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, and skunks. Rabies is passed to humans from rabid animals through bites or saliva entering an open wound. Even after exposure, rabies is preventable if given proper medical treatment. Public Health Solutions Health Department will help citizens, concerned about the disease due to exposure, with understanding animal testing steps and to confirm if exposure to rabies was likely and if so proper medical treatment can be sought.

For more information on rabies, visit www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html

If you have been bitten by an animal, wash the wound thoroughly and seek medical attention immediately. To speak with a disease surveillance staff member, please call Public Health Solutions at 402-826-3880.

Insects can not only be annoying during humid, summer months, but they can also carry harmful diseases. Some mosquitoes carry West Nile virus which can be spread to humans and cause illness. Since 2003, Public Health Solutions District Health Department has conducted West Nile tracking activities and has provided prevention education each summer. West Nile Virus activity is tracked by using mosquito traps in select areas and sending to the State lab for testing.

To view current West Nile Virus and mosquito activity, visit the DHHS West Nile Virus and Mosquito Surveillance Data page.

• Tick exposure occurs year-round, however ticks are most active during warmer months (April-September).
• Tips to Prevent Tick Bites:
  • Use an EPA-regstered insect repellent that contains DEET
  • Know where to expect ticks and avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
  • Treat clothing and gear with products containly 0.5% permethrin.
  • For more information on tick safety, visit https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html.

Safe drinking water is an important aspect of maintaining a healthy population in our district. The drinking water that is supplied to our homes comes from either surface water or ground water. Surface water collects in streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Ground water is located below the ground where it collects in pores and spaces within rocks and in underground aquifers. Ground water is then obtained by drilling well and pumping it to the surface. For more information on public water systems, visit CDC’s Public Water Systems page. For more information on how public water systems treat water, visit CDC’s Water Treatment page.

A private well uses ground water as its water source. Owners of private wells and other individual water systems are responsible for ensuring that their water is safe from contaminants. For more information on private wells and individual water systems, visit CDC’s Private Wells page.

💧 Where Does Our Water Come From?

In Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Saline, and Thayer counties, drinking water primarily comes from:

• Underground wells that draw from the High Plains (Ogallala) Aquifer, one of the largest freshwater aquifers in the world.
• Local rivers or reservoirs, depending on the community water system.
• Private or rural rainwater collection systems (used in limited households).

To find out who provides your water:

• Visit the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) Public Water System Lookup Tool:
  👉 https://drinkingwater.ne.gov/
• Access your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by selecting your water provider or searching by county:
  👉https://ordspub.epa.gov/ords/safewater/f?p=136:102::::::
• Knowing your water source helps you make informed choices about conservation, treatment, and safety.

Contamination of both public and private water sources can cause several serious health issues. The following are some of the most common sources of contaminants.

What Can Go Wrong?

Contaminants can enter water from old pipes, agricultural runoff, leaking septic systems, or industrial pollution.

Common threats include:

Water testing for private wells is available from the Nebraska Public Health Environmental Laboratory (NPHEL). To receive a sample kit, you must contact the laboratory and request a kit via phone or internet. A kit will be mailed to you.

Residents using a municipal or public water source system should not test their water. The municipality regularly tests the water supply for presence of contaminants.

For questions on water sampling and testing, please call the Nebraska Public Health Environmental Laboratory at 402-471-3935 or visit their website.

🧪 How Is Water Treated and Tested?

• Municipal Water: Treated and tested regularly by your water utility.
  
• Private Wells: Homeowners are responsible for testing. Experts recommend testing wells once a year.

🧼 How You Can Protect Your Drinking Water
At Home:

• Test your well water yearly
• Use certified water filters if needed (look for NSF-certified)
• Don’t dump chemicals or waste into drains or ground
• Register your well so you can receive benefits like financial assistance for installing water filtration systems
  • Private Well Registration form: https://dnr.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/ground-water/contractors/145WellRegistration.pdf
  • Additional forms: Forms | Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment

In the Community:

• Report illegal dumping or pollution
• Take care of storm drains
• Support local water protection programs

🚱 What to Do If You Think Your Water Isn’t Safe
Watch for signs something might be wrong with your water:

• An unusual smell (like rotten eggs or bleach)
• Cloudy or discolored water
• A recent unexplained illness in your household

If you notice any of these signs, take these steps right away:

1. Stop using the water for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth.
2. Use bottled water for drinking and cooking.
3. Contact your local water provider or county health department to report the issue and get guidance.

📞 Local Water Safety Hotline: Nebraska DHHS Drinking Water Program – (402) 471-2541
📩 Report a Concern Online:
https://dee.nebraska.gov/about/report-problem

Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, refer to certains strains of cyanobacteria that produce toxins. They are often a distinct blue-green color but may also appear green, brown, or red.

PHS monitors the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment for Harmful Algal Bloom Health Alerts that occur in our district lakes and beaches. During a Health Alert at a public lake, signs will be posted advising the public to use caution or avoid activities that could lead to swallowing water. When these health alerts are received, PHS will notify the district on our social media channels and our Health Alert Network.

You can find more information here:
Public Beach Monitoring - NE Dept. of Water, Energy, and Environment

🛠️ Tools & Resources for Safe Drinking Water

📄 Download: “How to Read a Water Report”
Learn how to understand your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) and what it means for your health:
👉 https://www.epa.gov/ccr/understanding-your-annual-water-quality-report

🧾 Water Filter Assistance for Low-Income Households
Some Nebraska programs and nonprofits offer help purchasing water filters for eligible households. Contact your Natural Resources District local assistance office to apply:
👉 Find Your NRD | Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts
👉 Or call (402) 471-3121 for more info