Healthy Air, Healthy Us

To purchase a radon test kit, contact:

• Short-term kits (48 hours) cost $8.
• Long-term kits (90 days – 1 year) cost $20.

Download this printable flyer with coupon (English, PDF, 876 KB).

Descarga un folleto imprimible con cupon (Español, PDF, 1067 KB)

Instructions are included with the test kit. Place it in the lowest level of the house that you use. When the testing period is over, mail the kit to the lab, and the lab mails back your results in a few weeks. Contact Gloria Smedema at the Fond du Lac County Health Department (gloria.smedema@fdlco.wi.gov or 920/929-3085) if you have questions about your results.

If you are planning to buy or sell a house, it is highly recommended that you use a certified radon measurement professional.

With a result of 4 pC/L or higher, the EPA recommends mitigating your home using a certified radon mitigation contractor. This can be done after a home is built or during construction. People age 62 and older with very low incomes living outside the City of Fond du Lac may apply to receive a loan or grant from the USDA to finance a radon mitigation project in their home.

January is the perfect time to take a radon measurement in your home. Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. All homes should be checked individually for radon, although certain regions tend to have higher readings than others. Get more information on Testing for Radon in Fond du Lac County. The table below shows measurement averages by zip code region. A measurement over 4pCi/L is considered high by the EPA.

This workshop series will teach local government officials about renewable energy planning with an emphasis on wastewater and solid waste bioenergy, public/private development options, project management, and feasibility.

One of these workshops will be held at UW-Fond du Lac on Tuesday, December 13 from 10 am – 3 pm in UC 113/114 (Large Group Instruction Room).  The cost is only $30 which includes lunch.

View the flyer and press release for registration details.

“Fond du Lac County Action for Air Quality” is complete.  This publication describes all of the ways that air quality matters locally and includes notes about actions manufacturers and groups like the Asthma Coalition are taking to improve it.  If you would like hard copies of this publication, contact our office about how many you need and by when.

Here is DNR’s statement about the forest fire smoke covering Eastern WI today. There is no official action alert issued, but everyone should reduce their exposure to outside air today if possible.

This morning we are smelling smoke from the Pagami Creek Forest Fire in Minnesota. DNR is monitoring air quality levels every hour around the state and will be sending out an alert (which will also be posted here) if fine particle levels exceed the health standard.

Residents, especially seniors, children, and anyone with lung or heart conditions such as asthma should take care to limit exposure. The general rule about smoke, whether from campfires, burn barrels, or outdoor wood boilers is the less of it you breath in, the better off your body is.

More about the health effects of wood smoke (EPA)

Ideas on how to minimize smoke indoors (EPA). This is not a good day to vacuum or leave the windows open.

A change to a stricter ozone standard has been delayed by the Obama Administration and when it comes in 2013 will likely not be as strict as the EPA recommended last year. Read the article from Friday’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The largest dairy in Fond du Lac County and in the state is partnering with UW-Oshkosh to make power and research opportunities for local residents and students. Read the press release from UW-Oshkosh.

Creative financing and partnerships with local government are making it possible. Read the article in the Daily Jefferson County Union from August 17.

I thought these were both interesting maps:

Renewable energy installations by county and renewable energy projects around the state are interesting to see.  In the second map, click on the dots to learn more about each site.