Environmental Public Health Tracking: County Environmental Health Profiles

These profiles are a starting point for many activities related to the environmental health of a community. Local and Tribal Health Departments can use these data to perform community health assessments and make community health improvement plans. They can also be useful for health departments that need to address the Public Health Accreditation Board's Standard 1.3, which reads "analyze public health data to identify trends in health problems, environmental public health hazards, and social and economic factors that affect the public's health."

Researchers can use these data to explore environmental health research questions.

Anyone can use these data to:

• develop grant proposals
• add impact to education and outreach materials
• implement data-driven policies, or make data-driven decisions
• invigorate communications by adding facts.

If you have questions about using Tracking data, email dhstracking@wisconsin.gov.

Below are the references for the data presented on this dashboard. Note that the Environmental Health Data Dashboards offer more views and details for these topics and many others. For more information about age-adjustment and other terms referenced in this dashboard, visit Wisconsin Tracking's Data Details.

Home hazards

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning

Age-adjusted rate of emergency room visits related to unintentional CO poisoning per 100,000 people
Source: Office of Health Informatics, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Childhood Lead Poisoning

Percent of children (less than 6 years of age) who had a blood lead level ≥5 µg/dL, among those tested
Source: Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Radon

Percent of tests with results at or above EPA standard of 4 pCi/L
Source: Radon and Indoor Air Program, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Community health

Motor Vehicle-Related Fatalities

Percent of fatal motor vehicle crashes involving cyclists or pedestrians
Source: CDC National Environmental Public Health Tracking Data Explorer; primary data source is National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Alcohol Outlet Density

Crude rate of alcohol licenses per 500 people displayed on a map of Wisconsin's counties. Darker shaded counties represent counties with higher densities.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Revenue

Health conditions

Asthma

Age-adjusted rate of emergency room visits related to asthma per 10,000 people
Source: Office of Health Informatics, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)

Age-adjusted rate of emergency room visits related to COPD for persons 25 years and older per 10,000 people
Source: Office of Health Informatics, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Lung Cancer

Age-adjusted rate of lung cancer cases per 100,000 people
Source Wisconsin Cancer Reporting System

Lyme Disease

Crude rate of confirmed and probable Lyme disease cases per 100,000 people
Source: Vectorborne Disease Program, Bureau of Communicable Diseases, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Melanoma

Age-adjusted rate of melanoma cases per 100,000 people
Source: Wisconsin Cancer Reporting System

Private water quality

Arsenic

Percent of test results that exceed EPA standard of 10 µg/L

Nitrate

Percent of test results that exceed EPA standard of 10 mg/L
Source: Well Water Quality Viewer, Center for Watershed Science and Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Background

Because we spend a great deal of time in our homes, it's important that they are safe and healthy. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, childhood lead poisoning, and radon are three home hazards tracked by the Wisconsin Environmental Public Health Tracking Program.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that cannot be seen or smelled. CO is created whenever fuel or other materials are burned. Wisconsin state law requires all homes to have a CO detector on every level.

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning prevents oxygen from getting to where it's needed in the body, which can damage tissue and even cause death. CO poisoning is also a risk in indoor ice arenas, workplaces, and recreational facilities where gasoline-powered equipment or appliances are used. While there is no state law requiring CO detectors in these venues, it is still important to monitor CO levels in the air and take action if levels are unsafe.

Childhood lead poisoning

Lead poisoning slows growth and development in children, particularly in the brain. Lead poisoning is also associated with problems later in life, such as poor academic outcomes and increased incarceration. Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause damage over time, especially in children. Blood lead levels are measured in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention used 5 µg/dL as the reference value for childhood lead poisoning in the past, in 2021 the reference value was changed to 3.5 µg/dL. The reference value does not suggest safety; there is no safe amount of lead for a child. Data on the profiles page reflect the lower reference value, but both reference values are available on the Wisconsin Childhood Lead Data Dashboard.

In most Wisconsin counties, the percentage of children poisoned is low. However, because counties vary greatly in the number of children tested for lead poisoning, these percentages should be interpreted with caution. For example, if eight children were tested in a county and two were poisoned, the percentage of children poisoned for that county would be 25%. Note that the percentage of children poisoned is of the group of children tested – not the percentage of all children.

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring gas released from the ground that is radioactive and can cause lung cancer. Radon can leak into homes and other buildings through cracks in the foundation.

Like carbon monoxide, radon can't be seen or smelled. Homes both old and new can have unsafe radon levels, and the only way to know if a home has high radon levels is to test for it. The radon data we present are only a fraction of the tests completed in Wisconsin. The data presented include all tests facilitated by the Wisconsin Radon and Indoor Air Program and Wisconsin Radon Information Centers, but may not include all tests conducted by private contractors. To view more years of data and data at the zip code level, visit the Wisconsin Interactive Radon Map.

The EPA recommends all homes with radon levels of four picocuries per liter (4 pCi/L) or higher be fixed. There are many certified radon mitigation contractors throughout the state who can fix radon problems in homes. Check the How to Find a Contractor page to find a certified contractor.

Background

Environment includes not only the air we breathe and the water we drink, but also our built environment: the businesses, parks, schools, bike paths, roads, intersections, and features that make up our communities. The way our community is designed can moderate exposure to traffic and the resulting crash fatalities. Places that sell alcohol are also part of our built environment. Examining the number of places that sell alcohol per the county population—known as alcohol outlet density—can help us understand how alcohol impacts our health and communities.

Motor vehicle-related fatalities involving cyclists or pedestrians

Biking and walking are healthy, environmentally friendly modes of transportation. Unfortunately, both bikers and walkers are more likely to be seriously injured or killed when involved in a motor vehicle-related crash.

Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities have been on the rise. According to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in the U.S. increased by 56.5% in the 10-year period between 2013 and 2022. During that same time period, total traffic fatalities increased by 29.2%.

It is important to integrate pedestrian and bike safety into community design, especially concerning lighting, crosswalks, sidewalks, intersections, and bike lanes.

Alcohol outlet density

Alcohol can have many health consequences, including increased risk for six types of cancer. Alcohol outlets are places where alcohol is sold and either consumed on site (such as bars) or elsewhere (such as liquor stores).

Communities can use alcohol outlet density data to understand how alcohol impacts people who live there. We can use these data to monitor alcohol-related measures over time and to educate communities, plan programs, and implement policies. Alcohol outlet data are collected once annually, which means at any given time in the year, a new license could be issued or an old one may not be renewed.

Differences in alcohol outlet density are difficult to interpret. Rural counties may have a higher number of outlets relative to population, but these outlets may be smaller and serve fewer people than a single outlet in a larger city. Learn more about alcohol outlet density and Wisconsin's alcohol environment by visiting Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project.

Background

The Environmental Public Health Tracking Program monitors data on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), melanoma, lung cancer, and Lyme disease. Each of these measures is strongly linked to one or more environmental factors.

Asthma

Asthma is a disease that affects breathing and limits the ability to get oxygen to the lungs. Asthma symptoms may occur from exposure to common triggers, such as tobacco smoke, outdoor air pollution, or pollen. The overall rate of asthma emergency room visits in Wisconsin has slightly declined since 2004. Rates at the county level are more variable. In Wisconsin, asthma rates vary considerably by race and ethnicity. Read more about these differences as they impact hospitalizations in our asthma disparities surveillance brief, P-01727 (PDF). To learn more about the burden of asthma and available resources in Wisconsin, visit our Asthma Program's webpage.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is usually caused by cigarette smoking, but long-term exposure to other lung irritants, like secondhand smoke, can also contribute to COPD. According to the CDC, commercial tobacco smoking accounts for as many as 8 out of 10 COPD-related deaths. The Wisconsin Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Control Program reports 14.3% of Wisconsin adults currently smoke (as of 2023).

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the growth of abnormal cells beginning in the lungs. Lung cancer is caused by commercial tobacco use, radon, workplace chemicals (such as asbestos, silica dust, and arsenic) and air pollution. In Wisconsin, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women, P-02329 (PDF), killing more women each year than breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers combined. To learn more about lung cancer in our state, visit the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is spread by the bite of an infected black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and is becoming more common in Wisconsin. The highest number of cases is typically reported in the northwestern region of Wisconsin, but in recent years cases have increased in the central and eastern regions. The average number of reported cases has more than doubled over the past 15 years. Wisconsin’s climate has become generally warmer and wetter, making our state a more favorable habitat for ticks. Climate change has contributed to the expanded geographic distribution of ticks as well as a longer season of tick activity and potential for Lyme disease transmission. Other factors, such as host populations (for example, deer and mice), awareness of Lyme disease, and land use changes, also impact Lyme disease rates.

The crude rate includes confirmed cases of Lyme disease—not probable or estimated cases—until 2008. Starting in 2008, the crude rate includes confirmed and probable cases. The criteria for reporting Lyme disease were revised again in 2012 to require reporting and follow-up only for cases with an erythema migrans (EM) rash. To compensate for this change, epidemiologists used a statistical method to estimate the true number of cases based on the number of total laboratory reports for each year since 2012. Due to this change, rates of confirmed cases might appear to decrease since 2012, but this is likely due to the change in case definition, not from a reduced burden of Lyme disease. Our Lyme Disease Data Dashboard includes estimated cases only at the state level, not the county level. The crude rate of cases reported here is an underestimate of the true rate of Lyme disease infection.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. Skin cancer begins when abnormal cells grow on the skin. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight is widely recognized as the primary risk factor contributing to the development of melanoma. People who work outdoors and people with a family history of melanoma are at higher risk. Learn more about melanoma in Wisconsin and how to prevent melanoma.

Background

About 4 in 10 Wisconsin homes get their water from private wells. Well owners are responsible for monitoring and testing their wells. All private wells should be tested regularly to ensure the water is safe to use and drink.

The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point's Well Water Quality Viewer improves access to private well water data. The private well data are voluntarily submitted by homeowners and do not include water quality information for all known wells.

Arsenic in private wells

Arsenic can naturally occur in soil and rock formations but can also come from some types of pesticides, treated wood, and certain foods. In Wisconsin, high levels of arsenic in wells are most common in the northeastern part of the state but can be found in any county.

Drinking water with high levels of arsenic can cause skin rashes and stomach problems. Arsenic can also increase the risk for certain kinds of cancer. Infants and children are especially sensitive to arsenic, and high levels can affect cognitive development.

Nitrate in private wells

Nitrate naturally occurs in plants and animals and can enter groundwater from fertilizers or animal and human waste. In Wisconsin, nitrate is one of the most common groundwater contaminants.

High nitrate levels are linked with some birth defects. Infants who consume drinking water with high nitrate levels are at risk of blue baby syndrome, a condition that limits the blood's ability to carry oxygen.

About the private well water data

The data displayed in the private well water section include samples collected since 1988. The number of samples collected varies from year to year and by county; accordingly, some years and counties are better represented than others.

These data do not include all well tests conducted in the state; some tests done by private labs and local labs are not submitted to be displayed on the Well Water Viewer. To explore data for other water contaminants, visit the UW Stevens Point Groundwater Quality Viewer.