Author: Kerri Hagan

Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) scientists are reporting that tick activity is already very high this season. Tick samples sent to the CAES lab are testing positive for Lyme disease at a higher than average rate. Residents who spend time outside should take precautions. Residents are encouraged to submit ticks removed from their bodies to the laboratory for species identification and testing. According to CAES, the most common species of tick around the state are black-legged “deer” ticks and American dog ticks, but invasive lone star ticks, Gulf Coast ticks, and longhorned ticks are also present. Read the press release from the Tick Testing Program at CAES here. The Health District will identify species and submit ticks to the CAES lab. Click here for more information about our service and a tick submission form.

When purchasing a home with a septic system, prospective buyers can have many questions. What does the existing septic system consist of? Is it working properly? How long will it last? If it fails, how much will a replacement system cost? Connecticut Department of Public health put together this a Fact Sheet to guide prospective buyers in making informed decisions regarding the potential problems and costs associated with a property’s septic system. Learn more here.

Tick bite prevention is important all year round. Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is caused by certain tick bites. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), in the United States, AGS is primarily associated with the bite of a lone star tick, and less commonly by the bite of a blacklegged tick or a western blacklegged tick. In other countries, other tick species have been linked to AGS. In the United States, not every person bitten by a lone star, blacklegged, or western blacklegged tick will develop AGS.

The best way to protect yourself and your family from developing AGS is to prevent tick bites.

AGS reactions can include:

• Hives or itchy rash
• Nausea or vomiting
• Severe stomach pain
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
• Drop in blood pressure
• Swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eye lids
• Dizziness or faintness
• A combination of symptoms referred to as anaphylaxis

AGS reactions can be different from person to person. Symptoms usually appear 2–6 hours after eating meat or dairy products. They can range from mild to severe, and some may be life-threatening. Seek immediate emergency care if you are having a severe allergic reaction.

If you think you may have AGS, talk to your healthcare provider. Learn more about the lone star tick, tick borne illness and tick bite prevention here.

Indoor Air Quality impacts everyone, including those who may be more vulnerable – children, the elderly, and people with health conditions like asthma and heart disease. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors. Learn about common pollutants and how to address them. Understanding and controlling common pollutants indoors can help reduce your risk of indoor health concerns. For example,  source control, ventilation and filtration can reduce exposure to indoor pollutants and improve indoor air quality. Click here to learn more.

What is Indoor Air Quality?

Protect Yourself and Your Family

Indoor air quality refers to characteristics of the air in buildings and structures that can impact the health, comfort, performance and productivity of the people inside.

Why is IAQ Important?

• On average people spend 90 percent of their time indoors.
•  Indoor levels of some pollutants are often several times higher than what they are outdoors.
• Poor IAQ is an environmental risk factor that can worsen health outcomes, decrease productivity and increase building maintenance expenses and other building-related costs.

What are some of the common sources or factors that can impact indoor air?

• Occupants and their behaviors and actions.
• Consumer products, building materials, and furnishings.
• Soil gases, such as radon.
• Temperature, moisture and humidity.
• Maintaining building systems,  such as plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. 
• Outdoor air. 
• Building characteristics, such as size, age and design.

What are best practices for improving and maintaining IAQ?

• Source control: Eliminate or reduce sources of indoor pollution.
• Improved ventilation: Bring in fresh air to dilute indoor pollutants and exhaust them to the outdoors.
• Filtration and air cleaning: Use filtration and supplemental air cleaning to help remove pollutants from the air.