air quality

Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding/chestfeeding.

PCBs are a group of human-made chemicals that can cause serious health problems. Vermont has requirements for schools built or renovated before 1980 to test for PCBs in indoor air and to make fixes if levels are high.

Drought is a prolonged dry period caused by less than normal rainfall or snowfall for an extended period of time. Drought can lead to water shortages, meaning there is less water available for drinking, food production and swimming. It can also lead to other impacts such as poor water quality and more wildfires. Drought can affect our physical and mental health as well as the local economy. Drought conditions sometimes take years to develop and can last as short as one season or as long as many decades.

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Along with the cold, snow and ice, winter weather can affect your health. Learn how to stay safe and warm this winter.

The Health Department Lab tests for radon, blue green algae and for bacteria in water.

Investigators both in the U.S. and abroad have shown relationships between short- and long-term exposure to air pollution and the increased risk of heart attack and other forms of heart disease.

One in seven Vermont homes has unsafe levels of radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Testing is the only way to know if it is in your home.

National studies have shown that air pollution in our homes can be more of a health concern than air pollution outside. Indoor pollutant levels may, in fact, be many times higher than outdoor levels. There are three main reasons why indoor air quality is becoming more of a health concern:

• It is estimated that Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors.
• More harmful chemicals are used in building materials, furnishings, pesticides, and household cleaning and personal care products.
• Homes and other buildings may not be properly ventilated.

The Envision Program best practices are intended to provide school administrators, nurses, maintenance and building services staff with tools to use when planning for renovations, preventative maintenance, pest management and control, monitoring of drinking water, and other building activities.

Mold needs moisture to grow. Due to Vermont’s humid climate, mold is commonly found in homes.