Events
________________________________________________________
West Nile Surveillance
Dead Bird CollectionOn MAY 19th, the following birds can be collected for testing:
--Crows
--Bluejays
--Magpies
--Rapters (owls, hawks)
We will ONLY COLLECT the above-listed dead birds IF they are in GOOD CONDITION (meaning DEAD LESS THAN 24 HOURS and without sunken eyes, strong odor or maggots).
Exposure to the sun, heat, insects and animals makes dead birds untestable, and therefore not a specimen that Three Rivers Health Department wants to collect. You may call to REPORT any dead bird.
Call (402) 727-5396 between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F to:
--Report dead birds,
--Make arrangements to drop off a dead bird for testing, or
--Schedule a pick-up for a dead bird for testing (only blue jays, crows, or raptors in good condition).
Leave a message if there is no answer. Please provide the following information in the message:
--Your Name, Address & Phone number
--Type/Species of dead bird
--Date that you found the dead bird
______________________________________________________
Radon Video Contest
Help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) get the word out about radon. EPA is looking for 30 to 60 second videos that help educate the public on the serious health risk posed by radon. The winning submission will receive a $2,500 award and will be featured on EPA's Web site and shown at the 2008 National Radon Meeting in Las Vegas, NV.Radon 101
Key facts about radon for your video:
-Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that you can't see, smell, or taste.
-Radon seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation or seams and can build up to dangerous levels inside your home.
-Exposure to indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America, claiming more than 20,000 lives annually.
-Radon exposure leads to more deaths each year than drunk driving, falls in the home, drownings, or home fires.
-The only way to know if you have a radon problem in your home is to test for it. Testing for radon is easy and inexpensive -- short-term test kits are available at your local hardware store or online for $20 or less.
-The U.S. Surgeon General and EPA recommend every home be tested for radon.
If your home tests high for radon (i.e., above the 4 picocuries per Liter action level), a professional can install a mitigation system to lower your radon levels.
EPA has more information about radon on their frequently asked questions page. For more information on radon, visit www.epa.gov/radon.
Contest Info
We need your help to save lives by getting the word out about radon! Exposure to indoor radon is a serious health risk--it's the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. But the risk can be managed when people test their homes and take action to reduce high radon levels.
To make sure everyone knows how to save a life, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is looking for 30 to 60 second videos to educate the public on the health risks of radon and simple steps to protect your health by mitigating high radon levels.
The winning video submission will receive a $2,500 award, be featured on EPA's Web site, and debuted at the 2008 National Radon Meeting in Las Vegas, NV. Entries must be received by August 25, 2008. The contest winner will be notified in September via e-mail.
We seek videos that convey the message: Radon: Test, Fix, Save a Life. Radon is a major health risk, causing more than 20,000 deaths each year. The only way to know if you have a radon problem is to test your home. When high radon levels are detected a professional can install a mitigation system to lower levels in your home. Help us to get the word out and save lives! Create a video that convinces all Americans to test their homes for radon and have them fixed if high radon levels are found. For more information about radon visit Radon 101.