Environmental Health

Public Health Nuisance (PH Nuisance)

Minnesota Statute 145A states that a public health nuisance is "any activity or failure to act that adversely affects the public". 

Food Beverage and Lodging

This includes the licensing, inspection, and education of Food & Beverage Establishments, Lodging Establishments, Swimming Pools, Manufactured Home Parks and Recreational Camping Areas, and Youth Camps.  Jackson County (MDH) Mankato District Office 12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2105 Mankato, MN 56001-3752 Phone (507) 344-2700 or email at health.foodlodging@state.mn.us. Cottonwood is Brown-Nicollet Environmental Health at 622 South Front Street Saint Peter, MN 56082 Phone (507) 934-7089 with a Fax of (507) 934-7170.

Healthy Homes

 Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless gas that comes from the soil. Radon gas is common throughout Minnesota and can enter a home anywhere there is an opening between the home and the soil. Long term exposure to radon is the nation's second leading cause of lung cancer. The Minnesota Department of Health recommends every home be tested for radon.

Test for radon

A radon test is the only way to find out how much radon is in your home. Short term radon test kits are available to Jackson and Cottonwood County residents at no cost. Radon test kits can be picked up from the following locations during operating hours. Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services locations and hours.  

For more information about radon testing and mitigation, see the Minnesota Department of Health's Radon in Home.

Asthma

Reducing asthma triggers in the home is linked to improvements in asthma outcomes such as reduced hospitalizations and emergency department visits for children who have asthma.  Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services offers free home-based asthma services.  A qualified nurse will meet with families at their home to provide:

• Individualized patient education
• Review of asthma action plans
• Environmental home assessment to understand trigger exposure and better tailor a plan to support daily patient self-management.

Contact Genna.Scripture@dvhhs.org for DVHHS Asthma Home-based services.

For more information on asthma allergens and irritants, see the Minnesota Department of Health’s Know Your Asthma Triggers.

Lead

Although there has been a dramatic decline in national blood lead levels over the past 10-15 years, childhood lead poisoning continues to be a major, preventable environmental health problem. Young children under 6 years old and pregnant women are most affected by lead and are considered to have elevated lead levels if their blood test results are greater than 3.5 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood. Exposure to lead can seriously harm a child's health, including damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems, and hearing and speech problems. More than a million homes in Minnesota contain at least some lead paint.

Common sources of lead in the home include:

• Lead-based paint
• Lead dust
• Food
• Soil
• Water
• Children's sidewalk chalk, crayons and toys.

For more information about lead risks in the home, visit the Minnesota Department of Health’s Lead Education Materials.

If you or your loved one has a high blood lead level, Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services can provide support; contact Sarah.Spaeth@dvhhs.org.

Mold and Moisture

Keeping your home free from mold and moisture problems is important to avoid health risks.  For information, see Minnesota Department of Health’s Mold and Health Risks.

Safe Drinking Water in Your Home

Clean and safe drinking water is essential to good health and an important part of a healthy home environment.  Private well owners must protect and maintain their well and are responsible for testing their own drinking water. Unused private wells should be properly sealed.

• Owner's Guide to Wells
• Safe Drinking Water for your Baby
• Sealing Unused Wells

For more information on your water supply visit the Minnesota Department of Health’s Safe Drinking Water.