Utah Environmental Public Health Tracking Network

Join us on Saturday, April 18 at the Magna Library to test your soil for lead for free! Bring up to three dry soil samples in a plastic baggie. We will also be giving tips for gardening safely, ways to protect yourself from lead exposure, and one-on-one health education about the hazards of lead.
Visit the link in our bio for more information

Contaminants in drinking water can lead to a number of health issues.
Exposure to contaminants through drinking water can cause gastrointestinal illness, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders. Utah Tracking provides data on 10 drinking water contaminants.
Learn more about these health topics:ibis.utah.gov/epht-view/

Although the US has one of the safest public water supplies in the world, germs can still get in the water we drink, bathe, and use for other daily activities. There are steps you can take to make sure the water you use at home for all of your needs is as safe as possible.
Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/preventing-waterborne-germs-at-home.html

As Utahns who have lived with drought conditions, we understand how essential water is to our everyday lives, and we understand that it is important for us to protect it. Here are a few ways we can do our part for responsible water use:
Don’t put waste down the drain
Turn off the tap
Water less during the summer
Take shorter showers
Create a rain garden

January is national radon action month. Radon is a radioactive gas with no color, taste, or smell. It can only be detected through proper testing. According to the CDC, any home or building can have high radon levels regardless of how old or new it is. Everyone is potentially at risk of radon exposure. Prolonged radon exposure can lead to lung cancer.
Test your home and protect your loved ones from radon.
Visit the Utah Radon program’s website at: radon.utah.gov to buy a radon test kit.
Learn more about Radon data at: https://ibis.utah.gov/epht-view/topic/Radon.html

The CDC estimates that 1 in 6 Americans get sick from eating contaminated food every year. Bacteria and viruses are the most common causes of foodborne illnesses (also known as food poisoning). The symptoms and severity of food poisoning vary, depending on which bacteria or virus has contaminated the food.

Three types of bacteria that can cause food poisoning are salmonella, escherichia coli (E. coli), and listeria. Recognizing possible sources of exposure can help you know how to prevent getting sick.

Learn more about different bacteria and viruses that can cause food poisoning: https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-poisoning/bacteria-and-viruses

Happy world environmental health day! Environmental health is an important branch of public health. Do you know what environmental health is? Or how the environment impacts your health?
Learn how the environment can impact your health.
https://ibis.utah.gov/epht-view/

Want to improve your pickleball game by adding weighted tape to your paddle? Choose lead-free tungsten tape.

Many pickleball players add weighted tape to their pickleball paddles for increased balance, power, sweet spot, and stability. If you choose to add weighted tape to your pickleball paddle, be careful to avoid lead tape.

Lead is toxic and can be especially harmful to young children. Even small amounts of lead can affect their brain development, learning, and behavior.

This recall involves SPPTTY kids bicycles. The bicycles were sold online at Walmart.com from August 2024 through December 2024 for about $85.

Multiple components of the children’s bicycles contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban, posing a lead poisoning hazard to children. In addition, the black paint on the bicycle pumps contains lead that exceeds the federal lead paint ban.

Lead is toxic to young children and can cause various health issues.

The bicycles are pink with brown seat covers, brown handlebars, brown pedals, and brown baskets. They were sold in 14-inch and 18-inch sizes. The brand “SPPTTY” and “New Sport Bike” are printed on the downtube.

Stop using the recalled children’s bicycles immediately and contact Shenzhen Yihuachuang Technology for a full refund. To receive a refund, dismantle the bicycle, take a photo, and send the photo by email to [email protected]. After submitting the photo, dispose of the recalled bike.

You can read more about this recall at epi.utah.gov/lead-news-and-recalls.

Radiation can naturally come from the sun through ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is a form of non-ionizing radiation that is emitted by the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds. The beneficial effects of UV radiation include the production of a vital nutrient, vitamin D; however, overexposure may present risks. Sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer are all risks from overexposure. Keeping you and others protected from UV radiation is an important, year-round responsibility.
Learn more at: https://ibis.utah.gov/epht-view/topic/Cancer.html

Your pets are important members of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan. Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for their survival, such as food and water. Have two kits, one larger kit if you need to shelter in place and one lightweight version in case you need to evacuate. Review your kits regularly to make sure their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh.
Always bring your pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm. For more information about how to prepare your pets, visit Ready.gov/pets.

Around 11% of Utah adults and 7% of Utah children have asthma. People who have asthma have more sensitive airways, meaning their airways react to certain triggers like the common cold, cigarette smoke, and exercise more intensely than people who do not have asthma. It’s important to learn how to control your asthma so you can live an active, fulfilling life.

Learn more about asthma triggers: https://www.epa.gov/asthma/asthma-triggers-gain-control

For a personalized asthma action plan go here:https://asthma.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Asthma-AP-4-29-24.pdf