Environmental Health Options Air Quality Informational Links: Cold weather and carbon monoxide safety (safe heating) - CDC Investigations related to citizen complaints of poor outdoor air quality - DNR Indoor air quality issues - EPA Drinking Water Informational Links: Lead in drinking water from the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/ Well water information from the DNR: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wells/ To learn more about the drinking water in your community, you can visit the following websites for more information: Glendale/Whitefish Bay/Fox Point Bayside Shorewood Brown Deer Food Safety For Consumers Guidelines for Eating Fish Federal and State agencies suggest limits for how much locally-caught fish people should eat. Limits for many fish are lower for children and women who are or may become pregnant, than they are for men. These advisories exist because of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminants found in fish. Check out the Wisconsin DNR Fishing Wisconsin website for more information about potential contaminants in fish caught from Wisconsin waters. Several reference guides concerning safe fish consumption are available, including the City of Milwaukee Health Department: 2013 Guidelines for Eating Fish from Milwaukee Waters with recommendations specific to Milwaukee area residents. In addition, the Wisconsin DNR has issued their 2016 Choose wisely: A health guide for choosing fish in Wisconsin available for review or print. They have also produced the Fish Consumption Advice for the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern guide for fish information regarding the Milwaukee region. The FDA and EPA issue advice about how much store-bought fish (generally ocean-caught) to eat. Mercury is the main contaminant of concern in ocean-caught fish. Click here for the most current information from the FDA. Hazardous / Toxic Materials Informational Links: Household hazardous waste disposal - MMSD Computer and electronic device disposal - EPA Lead Lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. No safe blood lead level has been identified. For infants and young children, lead levels of 5 micrograms or more in a deciliter of blood are levels of concern and can damage ability to learn. Young children face the most danger from exposure to lead because their growing bodies are more prone to harm and also children absorb lead more easily than do adults' bodies. For more information on protecting your child from lead poisoning, visit the CDC's website: Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Mold Mold is a type of fungi that is everywhere around us. However, mold can become a problem when it grows unchecked inside a home. If there is sufficient moisture, along with an organic food source, mold may proliferate in your home. To learn more about mold, including how it may affect your health and how to remove it from your home, visit the EPA's website: Mold Needles/Sharps Medication Drop Off Sites Sharps Disposal Sites For information on managing household medical sharps visit: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/healthwaste/householdsharps.html Wisconsin Beaches To view beach water conditions for Wisconsin beaches visit: www.wibeaches.us Prior to swimming at any of the beaches in the North Shore, it is important to consult https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards for information on the weather and temperature conditions to determine current risks for swimming. Please see the following pages for more environmental health information: Licensing and Inspection Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html Cleaning up after a FLOOD: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/ Radon https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/index.htm https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/index.htm For all weather related emergencies: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/climate/toolkits.htm Extreme Heat Resources