Environmental Health
Certain environments can contain factors that impact our health. We may be unaware of the potential risks in our homes, workplaces, schools, or other areas in our communities, which could increase our chances of developing medical conditions. Lack of awareness can be detrimental to our health. The following environmental indicators are not meant to alarm but to educate us about the environmental factors we may encounter in our communities, helping us become more informed and proactive.
Tickborne Disease Risk
As shown on the following map, Polk, Norman, and Mahnomen are identified as high-risk areas for tickborne diseases, including Lyme disease. During tick season, we should be proactive in preventative measures, such as using tick repellents and performing regular tick checks, to reduce the risk of infection. Our high-risk area underscores the importance of awareness to be proactive in our health practices. By staying informed and vigilant, we can better protect ourselves and our communities. Remember, early detection and prompt removal of ticks can lower the chances of disease transmission.
Arsenic
Arsenic can be found in drinking water. Testing is vital in learning if your water has arsenic. The MDH recommendation is to test a private well at least once for arsenic. Chronic arsenic exposure has shown to be a risk factor for some cancers and also can impact a child’s development. For both arsenic concentration categories (> 2 µg/L and > 10 µg/L), Mahnomen, Norman, and Polk counties had higher percentages of wells with arsenic compared to the state average for Minnesota.
| Location | Percentage of Wells > 2 µg/L | Percentage of Wells > 10 µg/L |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 48.6% (34,920 / 71,831) | 11.5% (8,264 / 71,831) |
| Mahnomen | 77.5% (207 / 267) | 41.9% (112 / 267) |
| Norman | 73.6% (131 / 178) | 42.7% (76 / 178) |
| Polk | 58.9% (399 / 677) | 20.8% (141 / 677) |
Minnesota Department of Health (2008-2021)
Radon
Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). There is no safe level of exposure. According to the EPA, the lifetime risk of lung cancer death from radon exposure at the action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) is estimated to be 7 deaths per 1,000 people for never-smokers, and 62 deaths per 1,000 people for current smokers. The only way to know if you have a radon problem is to test for radon.
From 2010 to 2020 (Minnesota Department of Health 2024), Minnesota averaged 93.5 radon tests per 10,000 properties each year. In comparison, Mahnomen had 28.8 tests, Norman had 50.4, and Polk had 38.7 tests per 10,000 properties annually.
Regarding radon levels, 40.3% of properties tested in Minnesota had radon levels of 4 pCi/L or higher. In Polk, 70% of properties tested had high radon levels, while Norman had 56.6%, and Mahnomen had 57.7%.
