Benton County Iowa Public Health Department

10/15/2026

Handwashing is one of the simplest — and most powerful — ways to stay healthy! Many germs that make us sick spread when we don’t wash our hands with soap and clean, running water.

Make handwashing a habit at key times: after using the bathroom, before eating, when preparing food, and after coughing or sneezing.

Why does it matter? Handwashing can:
🏥 Reduce diarrheal illnesses by about 23-40%
🎒 Cut missed school days from stomach bugs by about 29-57%
😷 Reduce respiratory illnesses (like colds) by about 16- 21%

Scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds can protect you, your family, and your community. Let’s keep those hands clean! Be a

10/13/2026

October is Health Literacy Month!

So, what is health literacy?

Health literacy is the ability to find, understand, and use health information and services to make informed decisions for yourself and your family. When people have strong health literacy skills, they feel more confident navigating their health and getting the care they need.

Want reliable, easy‑to‑understand health information? Check out MyHealthfinder, a trusted resource with expert-backed tips on 100+ topics in English and Spanish: https://odphp.health.gov/myhealthfinder

10/09/2026

Did you know radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among people who have never smoked? And Iowa has the highest percentage of homes testing at or above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L — a staggering 71.6%.

Good news: Benton County Public Health and Benton County Environmental Health are offering FREE radon test kits! Call us or stop by to pick one up.

If your first test comes back over 4 pCi/L, we’ll provide a second kit at no cost. And if both tests are elevated, you may even qualify for financial assistance for radon mitigation.
Protect your home. Protect your health.
Get your free test kit today!

10/07/2026

🎀 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a powerful reminder to think about the women in your life, the people you love, and yourself.

Breast cancer affects 2.4 million women worldwide, and early detection saves lives. 💗 Mammograms and other screenings take only minutes, but they can make all the difference.

Below are breast cancer screening opportunities:

The Iowa HHS Care for Yourself program offers free or low‑cost breast and cervical cancer screenings for qualifying women ages 21–64. Learn more: https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-prevention/cancer/cfy

📅 This month, Virginia Gay Hospital is hosting Ladies Night Out — a special mammogram screening event on Oct. 5, 7, 20, 22, & 29 from 3:30–7 p.m.
Call 319‑472‑6300 to schedule, or self‑schedule on MyChart.

VGH can also help cover screening costs through the Gifts of Hope program. Learn more: https://myvgh.org/vgh-foundation/gifts-of-hope/

Take a moment today to check in with your loved ones and encourage them to get screened. Breast cancer doesn't wait. 🌸

10/06/2026

📢 Linn County Public Health is on-site today at BCPH to offer HIV, Hep C, and STI testing for anyone who is interested! Stop by the office from 10a - Noon TODAY ONLY 10/6/2026. Screenings are confidential and NO COST!!

Questions?
Give us a call at 319-214-2601.

Want to get tested?
Stop by! 811 D Ave, Suite 29, Vinton IA.

10/02/2026

💉 Farm work is tough on your body — protect it.

Cuts, dust, and lung exposure are part of the job, but staying up‑to‑date on Tdap and pneumococcal vaccines keeps you healthy all year long.Keeping you healthy keeps your farm healthy.

Check in with your trusted healthcare provider to see which vaccines are right for you.

10/01/2026

🩺 Healthcare providers:
Did you know during fall harvest, farmers can inhale high levels of organic dust from combines, grain bins, silos, and moldy crop debris — putting them at risk for Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS), a non‑infectious, flu‑like illness that appears 4–12 hours after intense dust exposure.

🔎 What to watch for:
• Fever
• Chills
• Body aches
• Headache
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
(Labs may show elevated neutrophils; chest X‑rays may be normal.)

🗣️ What to ask even if the farmer has no history of lung issues:
“Any recent grain handling, bin cleaning, or dusty harvest activities?"

🩹 Management:
Supportive care — rest, fluids, antipyretics.
Antibiotics aren’t needed unless a secondary infection is suspected.
Encourage farmers to reduce high-dust exposure and use respiratory protection (NIOSH‑approved masks) during high‑dust tasks.

🌾 Quick recognition helps protect farmers during the busiest season.

Learn more at https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-prevention/providers-professionals/center-acute-disease-epidemiology/epi-manual/environmental-disease/organic-dust-toxic

Organic dust toxic syndrome disease information and reporting criteria in the EPI Manual from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

09/30/2026

🍂 Harvest = Heavy Dust. Protect Your Lungs.
Running combines, unloading grain, cleaning bins, and working around crop debris puts heavy dust and mold spores in the air — enough to trigger sudden breathing issues like Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome or long‑term problems like farmer’s lung, even if you’ve never had lung trouble before.

😷 A mask during the dustiest jobs can make a huge difference, especially when:
• Cleaning grain bins or hauling grain
• Working around grain dryers, shops, or barns with poor airflow

👉 A NIOSH‑approved N95 or P100 filters harmful dust and spores and helps prevent breathing problems that can last for days — or cause permanent lung damage.

You don’t need a mask all day.
Just during the worst dust moments.
A simple step that keeps your lungs strong through harvest. 🌾💨

09/29/2026

⚠️ DID YOU KNOW?
A person buried to the waist in grain requires a force equivalent to their own body weight plus 600 lbs. to free them. The force required to remove a person buried in grain can exceed 2,000 lbs.
If entry into a grain bin is absolutely necessary, protect yourself and your team:

🔹 Train workers regularly on grain quality issues, safe entry procedures, equipment use, and emergency response.
🔹 Have a rescue plan — and follow it every time.
🔹 Shut down and lock out all loading/unloading equipment.
🔹 Test the air — check oxygen levels and screen for toxic gases before entry.
🔹 Run aeration fans to improve airflow.
🔹 Inspect the interior before anyone goes inside.

🌾 Grain moves fast. Planning ahead saves lives.

09/28/2026

Fall harvest is one of the most demanding times of the year. This week we will be sharing messages to prevent injuries and support the health of those who work in agriculture.

If you find yourself behind a farm vehicle, ease off the gas and give it space. Even following for a couple of miles only adds a few minutes to your trip. Don’t assume the farmer can pull over — soft shoulders and narrow ditches can make it unsafe for heavy equipment to move aside.