Kansas Department of Health and Environment

11/02/2026

Anyone can get lung cancer from breathing in high levels of radon over time.

Get your home tested and remediated: https://www.kansasradonprogram.org/

10/30/2026

Providers: did you know you can be enrolled to offer or refer services for people with disabilities? The Supports and Training for Employing People Successfully (STEPS) program supports people with disabilities and/or behavioral health conditions seeking a path to employment and independent living without endangering social security benefits or medical coverage. Learn more: KanCare.ks.gov/StepsProvider

10/30/2026

Business casual took a spirited turn today at the office. 🎃 Wishing you a safe and fun Halloween from KDHE!

10/30/2026

10/30/2026

🟢PREVENT LEAD EXPOSURE:

➡️Look around your home:
• Are there items in the home that may contain lead like chipping paint, dust and old toys?
• Is your water source safe? How old are the pipes in the home?
• Do you work in a place with lead?
• Are your hobbies bringing lead home, e.g., fishing, target shooting, renovating old furniture?
• Do you use imported products such as glazed pottery, candies, spices or make-up?

➡️Do the following:
• Have kids wash their hands when coming indoors after outdoor play, and before meals and bedtime. Wash outdoor toys regularly.
• Clean floors, furniture and windowsills regularly with a damp cloth or mop. Vacuum with a HEPA filter.
• Remove shoes before coming indoors to keep lead-contaminated soil outside.
• Run cold water for at least a minute before using water from older plumbing to help clear lead debris. Avoid using hot tap water for cooking or heating baby formula. Boil or heat cold water instead.
• Avoid playing in bare soil as much as possible. Plant grass or cover with mulch. A sandbox that can be covered when not in use is also a great play option.
• Ensure a balanced diet rich in iron, calcium, and Vitamin C.

🚨REMEMBER: There is no safe level for lead.

The only way to know if someone is being poisoned by lead is to do a blood test.

🔗Learn more: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1107/Childhood-Lead-Poisoning-Prevention

🔗Learn more about lead poisoning prevention: https://keap.kdhe.ks.gov/Ephtm/PortalPages/ContentData?CID=130

10/30/2026

As harmful algal bloom season winds down for the year, some active public health advisories for blue-green algae remain. These advisories will be lifted in consultation with lake managers when blooms have dissipated.

We know that health risks may extend past the recreation season.

Remain vigilant year-round.

Current advisories: www.kdhe.ks.gov/HAB

10/30/2026

🎃 Don't forget to kick off Halloween weekend with us at KHEL's Trunk or Treat today!

Bring the family for candy, costumes and festive fun, with food trucks on-site.

📅 Today, Oct. 30, from 4 to 7 p.m.
1115 SW Harrison St., Topeka

Costumes encouraged — all are welcome! 🧡

10/30/2026

Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but not when it comes to the safety of those trick-or-treaters. Fortunately, there are easy things parents and kids can do to stay safe.

Some safety tips: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/halloween-safety-tips-costumes-candy-and-colored-contact-lenses

10/29/2026

🦇Spooky season wouldn't be the same without bats! Just remember to enjoy real bats from a distance. These important members of our ecosystem are wild animals who want to be left alone—for their safety and yours!

🔗Learn more about bats: https://www.batcon.org/about-bats/bats-101/

🔗Bats in Kansas: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2467/Bats-in-Kansas

🔗What to do when you find a bat in your home: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/60100/Bats-Rabies-and-You-PDF

10/29/2026

🏡Approximately three-quarters of the homes in the United States built before 1978 still contain some lead-based paint.

Lead from cracked or chipped lead-based paint, paint chips and dust can cause lead poisoning.

Fix any peeling paint and remove paint chips and avoid sanding which creates leaded dust particles.

🟢If you are planning a renovation, repair or painting (RRP) project in a home built before 1978, you should:
➡️Find out when your home was built. Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint.
➡️Hire a certified lead-based paint inspector to determine if your home has lead-based paint, or assume it has lead-based paint.
➡️Hire a lead-safe certified contractor trained in lead-safe work practices, or if you are planning to do it yourself, follow DIY lead-safe practices, but don't attempt to remove lead-based paint yourself.

🟢If you are buying a pre-1978 house, the seller is required to disclose known information about lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards before you commit to the sale.

🟢To find out for certain if there is lead in your drinking water, have your water tested.

🚨REMEMBER: There is no safe level for lead.

The only way to know if someone is being poisoned by lead is to do a blood test.

🔗Find a lead-based paint professional in your area here: https://cdxocsppapps.epa.gov/ocspp-oppt-lead/firm-location-search

🔗Learn more about DIY lead-safe work practices: https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-safe-renovations-diyers

🔗Learn more about water testing for lead: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water

🔗Learn more about lead and your home: https://www.epa.gov/lead/reduce-risk-lead-exposure-home

🔗Learn more: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1107/Childhood-Lead-Poisoning-Prevention