Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention | Vermont Department of Health
Source: http://healthvermont.gov/local/st-johnsbury/healthy-homes-and-lead-poisoning-prevention
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:17
Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention | Vermont Department of Health
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Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention
St. Johnsbury
WIC (St. Johnsbury)
Family and Child Health
Active and Healthy Communities
Worksite Wellness
School Health
Immunizations
Infectious Disease
Community Prevention Programs
Tobacco Prevention
Emergency Preparedness
Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention
Our local health office connects families to resources to help ensure a safe and healthy home environment that is free of exposure to lead, radon, carbon monoxide, mold, pests and drinking water contaminants.
For concerns about health or safety issues in rental housing,
contact the Division of Fire Safety
.
Do you have a concern about health or safety issues in your rental housing? You can
file a complaint and request an inspection
with the Division of Fire Safety.
Lead Poisoning Prevention and Lead Testing
Our local health office tests 1- and 2-year olds for lead at
WIC clinics
if they have not been tested by their health care provider. If the child has an elevated blood lead level, we connect with their health care provider for follow-up. We also provide lead poisoning prevention education to our community.
Lead poisoning is a serious but preventable health problem. Lead is a highly toxic metal that has been commonly used in many household, industrial and automobile products—such as paint, solder, batteries, brass, car radiators, bullets, pottery, etc. Too much lead in the body, or lead poisoning, can cause serious and permanent health problems.
The major source of lead poisoning in Vermont children is lead dust from chipping or peeling lead-based paint, but there are many other lead hazards. Lead poisoning can be prevented when you know what danger signs and hazards to look for in your home.
Learn more about lead poisoning and lead hazards
Radon
One in seven Vermont homes has unsafe levels of radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that has no color, smell or taste. Breathing air with radon increases a person’s risk of getting lung cancer. Radon decays into radioactive particles that damage lung tissue and can lead to lung cancer over the course of a person’s lifetime. If you smoke and your home has high levels of radon, your risk of getting lung cancer is especially high.
Learn more about radon and order a
free
test kit
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas you cannot see or smell. It is produced when liquid, solid or gas fuel is burned—such as natural gas, propane, oil, charcoal, wood and wood pellets. Dangerous levels can build up quickly in your home, garage, or other enclosed areas. CO poisoning is more often a problem in the colder months since that is when Vermonters burn fuel to keep warm and their homes are closed up.
Learn more about preventing CO poisoning in the home
Mold
Mold and mildew are general terms used to describe kinds of fungus. Mold needs moisture to grow. Due to Vermont’s humid climate, mold is commonly found in homes. Some people are affected by everyday exposure to mold, but most people are not. People with asthma, mold allergies, chronic lung illnesses, or those who have compromised immune systems may have more severe reactions.
Learn more about mold and how to clean it up
Pests
Pests in and around our homes can be a nuisance. Pests include insects (like cockroaches, bed bugs, wasps and garden bugs), rodents (like mice and rats) and weeds. The pesticides, or chemicals, we use to treat pests can cause serious health problems. Pesticides can contaminate our indoor environment, cause and trigger allergies and asthma, and be especially dangerous to children, pregnant women and pets.
Learn more about pests and bed bugs
Drinking Water
About three out of 10 Vermont households drink water from private residential wells. Most of the chemicals in your water you cannot see, smell or taste, and they can affect your health. It is important to test your private well for contaminants on a regular basis.
To order drinking water test kits, call the Vermont Department of Health Lab at 802-338-4736 or 800-660-9997 (toll-free in Vermont) or go to the
lab's webpage
.
Asthma
Vermont’s asthma rates are in the top three in the country. Asthma is a chronic lung disease in which the lungs become inflamed and airways narrow and fill with mucus, making it very hard to breathe. People with asthma are more sensitive to irritants, allergens or “triggers”, causing symptoms to flare up. Pets in the bedroom, carpeting, wood stoves and fireplaces, tobacco smoke, mold, dust mites, seasonal allergens, and extreme cold, are common challenges for Vermonters with asthma. Fortunately, asthma can be managed.
Learn more about asthma, asthma triggers and managing asthma
Explore Vermont Data
Learn More
Environmental Health in Vermont
Healthy Homes in Vermont
Drinking Water in Vermont
Contact Us
802-748-5151
[email protected]
Last Updated:
February 13, 2025
Skip to main content
MENU
x
CLOSE
Translations for you
Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention
St. Johnsbury
WIC (St. Johnsbury)
Family and Child Health
Active and Healthy Communities
Worksite Wellness
School Health
Immunizations
Infectious Disease
Community Prevention Programs
Tobacco Prevention
Emergency Preparedness
Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention
Our local health office connects families to resources to help ensure a safe and healthy home environment that is free of exposure to lead, radon, carbon monoxide, mold, pests and drinking water contaminants.
For concerns about health or safety issues in rental housing,
contact the Division of Fire Safety
.
Do you have a concern about health or safety issues in your rental housing? You can
file a complaint and request an inspection
with the Division of Fire Safety.
Lead Poisoning Prevention and Lead Testing
Our local health office tests 1- and 2-year olds for lead at
WIC clinics
if they have not been tested by their health care provider. If the child has an elevated blood lead level, we connect with their health care provider for follow-up. We also provide lead poisoning prevention education to our community.
Lead poisoning is a serious but preventable health problem. Lead is a highly toxic metal that has been commonly used in many household, industrial and automobile products—such as paint, solder, batteries, brass, car radiators, bullets, pottery, etc. Too much lead in the body, or lead poisoning, can cause serious and permanent health problems.
The major source of lead poisoning in Vermont children is lead dust from chipping or peeling lead-based paint, but there are many other lead hazards. Lead poisoning can be prevented when you know what danger signs and hazards to look for in your home.
Learn more about lead poisoning and lead hazards
Radon
One in seven Vermont homes has unsafe levels of radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that has no color, smell or taste. Breathing air with radon increases a person’s risk of getting lung cancer. Radon decays into radioactive particles that damage lung tissue and can lead to lung cancer over the course of a person’s lifetime. If you smoke and your home has high levels of radon, your risk of getting lung cancer is especially high.
Learn more about radon and order a
free
test kit
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas you cannot see or smell. It is produced when liquid, solid or gas fuel is burned—such as natural gas, propane, oil, charcoal, wood and wood pellets. Dangerous levels can build up quickly in your home, garage, or other enclosed areas. CO poisoning is more often a problem in the colder months since that is when Vermonters burn fuel to keep warm and their homes are closed up.
Learn more about preventing CO poisoning in the home
Mold
Mold and mildew are general terms used to describe kinds of fungus. Mold needs moisture to grow. Due to Vermont’s humid climate, mold is commonly found in homes. Some people are affected by everyday exposure to mold, but most people are not. People with asthma, mold allergies, chronic lung illnesses, or those who have compromised immune systems may have more severe reactions.
Learn more about mold and how to clean it up
Pests
Pests in and around our homes can be a nuisance. Pests include insects (like cockroaches, bed bugs, wasps and garden bugs), rodents (like mice and rats) and weeds. The pesticides, or chemicals, we use to treat pests can cause serious health problems. Pesticides can contaminate our indoor environment, cause and trigger allergies and asthma, and be especially dangerous to children, pregnant women and pets.
Learn more about pests and bed bugs
Drinking Water
About three out of 10 Vermont households drink water from private residential wells. Most of the chemicals in your water you cannot see, smell or taste, and they can affect your health. It is important to test your private well for contaminants on a regular basis.
To order drinking water test kits, call the Vermont Department of Health Lab at 802-338-4736 or 800-660-9997 (toll-free in Vermont) or go to the
lab's webpage
.
Asthma
Vermont’s asthma rates are in the top three in the country. Asthma is a chronic lung disease in which the lungs become inflamed and airways narrow and fill with mucus, making it very hard to breathe. People with asthma are more sensitive to irritants, allergens or “triggers”, causing symptoms to flare up. Pets in the bedroom, carpeting, wood stoves and fireplaces, tobacco smoke, mold, dust mites, seasonal allergens, and extreme cold, are common challenges for Vermonters with asthma. Fortunately, asthma can be managed.
Learn more about asthma, asthma triggers and managing asthma
Explore Vermont Data
Learn More
Environmental Health in Vermont
Healthy Homes in Vermont
Drinking Water in Vermont
Contact Us
802-748-5151
[email protected]
Last Updated:
February 13, 2025