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Environmental Public Health Tracking: Publications and Resources

Find surveillance briefs, success stories, publications, and more on this page from the Wisconsin Environmental Public Health Tracking Program.

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Surveillance briefs

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Outreach materials

Asthma

Asthma in Wisconsin Data Byte Video

Cancer concerns

Cancer Concerns in Wisconsin Communities, P-45021 (PDF)

Carbon monoxide poisoning

For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning, please see the carbon monoxide webpage.

Childhood lead poisoning

Childhood Lead Poisoning Data Byte Video

Heat and cold safety

Heat Safety Video

Working in the cold: what workers and employers should know, P-03560 (PDF)

Lyme disease

Outdoor air pollution

Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Data Byte Video

Program information

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Recorded webinars

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Partners and links

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Near real-time data

We collect success stories from communities that have integrated Environmental Public Health Tracking data and resources into their work. If you have a story to share, please let us know at dhstracking@dhs.wisconsin.gov!

Success stories
Story LocationData TopicStory Details
Bayfield CountyCarbon MonoxideHealth department staff worked with a company that makes carbon monoxide detectors to purchase them at a discounted bulk rate.  Along with the detectors, staff created carbon monoxide safety kits that included a checklist on carbon monoxide poisoning prevention, a handout on safe generator use, and a card that listed the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. 
Staff developed a traveling display board and attended events for hunter and anglers who commonly use generators to heat cabins, deer stands, and ice shanties.  Staff partnered with their WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), Meals on Wheels, and home visitor programs to give detectors and safety kits to low-income families and seniors who didn’t already have them.  To assess residents’ awareness and understanding of carbon monoxide prevention, they developed and promoted an online survey.  Staff used the survey results to frame social media posts, press releases, and earned media articles. 
Burnett CountyWell WaterBurnett public health staff provided well water and arsenic education at town hall meetings in each of the county’s 21 townships. Meeting attendees were given the opportunity to test their well for arsenic for free. Staff distributed 138 test kits and 118 were returned, yielding an impressive 85% return rate. Public health staff visualized the test results by mapping them. In total, 81% of tests came back with no detectable arsenic. About 19% of tests had results below 10µg/L, which is recognized as a safe level by the Environmental Protection Agency. One well had unsafe levels above 10µg/L. Staff called the owner of that well and gave information about retesting and preventive actions to take in the meantime. 
Calumet CountyMelanomaCalumet County Public Health staff implemented a multilevel outreach campaign. They reached out to several child care centers and youth organizations. These efforts led to staff at three childcare centers completing Sunbeatables® sun safety training and implementing formal sun safety policies. These policies include sunscreen requirements for children, limits to sun exposure time, and the use of hats and sunglasses. Calumet County staff also added sun safety information in the mailings that go to all newborns in their county and offered free sunscreen to low-income families who use the agency’s diaper bank. To reach their target audience, staff completed in-person workshops using Sunbeatables® resources with over 150 children ages 8-14. They shared sunscreen and sun safety information at city pools and parks, outdoor events, day camps, and nature centers. Earned media stories, social media posts, and articles in partner newsletters bolstered the visibility of the campaign and expanded their reach.
Clark CountyNitrateClark County Health Department staff worked with partners to aggregate well water testing data from four sources into one, cohesive database. This new, aggregated database has nearly 7,000 Clark County well water test results during the period 1974–2019. Staff used geospatial analyses of these data to identify higher risk areas in the county. With information from the database, they investigated these higher risk areas to locate possible contamination sources, provided on-site education, and connected homeowners with resources for correcting issues. Along with these efforts, staff encouraged private well testing via five community events and a press release. They collected 121 well water tests; more than a quarter of which were either unsafe to drink because of nitrate contamination (≥ 10 mg/L) or were at risk of becoming unsafe in the near future (between 8.0-9.9 mg/L).
Door CountyMelanomaHealth department staff adapted an evidence-based training for child care center staff, which included skin cancer prevention information, as well as examples of model sun safety policies for child care centers.  Staff were able to train 56 staff members at five child care centers.  As a result of the trainings, the child care centers reported revising and improving their sun safety policies to reflect more of the recommended strategies.
Door CountyMelanomaHealth department staff partnered with local visitor’s centers and tourism bureaus, as well as the Door County Parks Department and state park superintendents to plan education days at parks and other outdoor events.  Staff created a transportation-friendly display board and trivia game with sun safety information to help guide discussions with residents and tourists. 
Their traveling display also included a photo booth, which staff encouraged beachgoers to use and tag their social media posts with #besunsafeindoorcounty.  Staff also arranged to place signs with sun safety information on 34 public beaches.  To promote their events, staff used social media channels and garnered several earned media pieces, including a TV spot from a Green Bay station. 
Door CountyMelanomaDoor County, Wisconsin is almost entirely surrounded by Lake Michigan, which makes it a popular destination for outdoor activities like swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and boating.  Perhaps due in part to this outdoor culture, Door County’s skin cancer rate (41 per 100,000 people) is nearly double the Wisconsin average (22 per 100,000 people).  It’s the highest rate in the state and has only gone up since 1995. One strategy health department staff used to address this problem was training Highway Department staff and seasonal park workers.  Staff developed an evidence-based curriculum for the training and worked with the Highway Commissioner to schedule the trainings.  As a result of the trainings, the Highway Department started offering free sunscreen to all employees.
Douglas CountyLead PoisoningIn order to handle this large-scale and dynamic investigation, DHS activated an Incident Command System (ICS). Over the course of the investigation, the Environmental Public Health Tracking Program staff lent time, technical expertise, and analytical skills to the investigation. We also interviewed potentially exposed workers about their risks and experiences at the shipyard.
Eau Claire CountyNitrateEau Claire City-County Health Department (ECCCHD) staff invited partners from the farming community, land conservation, academia, Department of Natural Resources, the Eau Claire County Groundwater Advisory Committee, public health, and others to form the Eau Claire Nitrate Taskforce.  The group met for the first time in June 2016 to discuss goals for future work on drinking water quality.  With the health department’s facilitation, the group prioritized three goals: 1) increasing well testing, 2) determining education best practices, and 3) defining groundwater flow and common co-contaminants.  The Taskforce also brainstormed ideas for improving messaging around well water testing. 
Eau Claire CountyWell WaterFirst, health department staff partnered with the Eau Claire County Land Conservation Division (LCD) for assistance.  LCD is a trusted source among many in ECCCHD’s target audience: farmers and land owners likely to live in rural areas with private wells.  These established relationships made it easy for LCD to get the attention of this audience. ECCCHD trained LCD staff to offer well testing during onsite visits, as well as discuss well testing during their workshops.  Next, ECCCHD staff convened the Eau Claire County Nitrate Taskforce, a group made up of private well owners and professionals working on water quality.  The Taskforce generated messaging to increase well testing with an emphasis on addressing fears of well owners.  One such tactic was reframing “well testing” as a “well checkup.”  This positive language made well testing seem less intrusive and regulatory.  
Eau Claire CountyWell WaterECCCHD staff offered residents free well testing kits.  Staff learned through a previous campaign that mailings and coupons for test kits didn’t lead to increased testing.  For this project, they took a new approach and partnered with the Eau Claire County Land Conservation Division (LCD), which works directly with farmers and rural landowners.  LCD staff have established relationships with these populations and are a trusted source of information.  LCD staff incorporated well testing into their popular workshops and participants were able to take home sample bottles.  LCD staff also complete on-farm visits, at which point they were also able to collect well water samples.  To investigate this issue, the Wisconsin Tracking Program convened stakeholders, including UW-SP and the Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards.  The State Laboratory of Hygiene facilitated discussions about how to engage health departments and promote the Well Water Quality Viewer.  As a result of these efforts, staff from Eau Claire City-County Health Department were able to add their data to the portal and create maps of well water quality in their jurisdiction. 
Eau Claire CountyLyme DiseaseEau Claire staff took a three-pronged approach to their project: tick drags, a community survey, and enhanced outreach.  Staff and two University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire students conducted weekly tick drags—literally dragging white fabric over an area to catch ticks—in both rural and urban parks from July to October 2017 and again from April to July 2018.  The staff microbiologist analyzed deer ticks for the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.  While the tick drags were happening, Eau Claire staff developed a survey to assess Lyme disease prevention attitudes and behaviors.  They met with community partners to discuss the results of their ticks drags and survey.  Based on the discussion at those meetings, they developed prevention signage at 92 parks, trailheads, and nature preserves.  In addition to attending four community events, staff also presented for 260 elementary students and Parks and Recreation summer class participants.  Staff sent a press release, developed two public service announcements, and completed seven media interviews.
Eau Claire CountyCarbon MonoxideThe project team trained staff in their own agency to talk about carbon monoxide poisoning and offer free detectors to low income clients in their Women, Infants, and Children and Nurse Family Partnership programs. They also worked with their home inspection staff and supplied them with detectors to offer residents when they were missing from the home. They partnered with the Eau Claire Fire Department to discuss their carbon monoxide-related calls and gave them detectors to give to residents in need. A strategic partnership with the Augusta Senior and Community Center helped the project team distribute detectors to low income seniors who live in the most rural parts of the county.
Florence and Marinette CountiesWell WaterFlorence and Marinette County health departments focused on townships farthest from their public health offices, making efforts to increase access for rural residents in areas where past testing revealed high arsenic levels. Staff presented in town hall meetings where they educated community leaders about the importance of well water testing and the health effects of arsenic. The buy-in from those leaders helped spread the word throughout the community. The collaboration led to media stories and a radio public service announcement that reached 20,000 listeners. The approach paid off: the counties distributed 250 tests and received 219 back, achieving an 88% return rate.
Fond du Lac CountyMelanomaDuring fall 2017, health department staff visited 17 tanning salons during the months prior to homecoming season.  During these visits, they reminded salon staff about the state law requiring that anyone who tans must be 16 years old or older.  Ten salons signed a pledge about verifying age before allowing someone to tan. 
In the spring, health department staff worked with nine child care centers to do a sun safety activity with nearly 500 students.  They talked with child care center staff about their sun safety policies and distributed sample policies to those without them.  Health department staff developed a “train the trainer” event for a University of Wisconsin-Extension 4-H All Leaders Meeting in which they trained 30 leaders to go back and present to their respective clubs, reaching an estimated 600 youth.  Staff also reached out to employers with outdoor worksites, such as construction companies and the Highway Department.  They provided these employers with sample sun safety policies and presented for over 60 employees.  The Highway Department has asked for them to come back annually. Throughout the spring and summer, health department staff hosted a sun safety booth, where they spoke with residents at 10 local events, including community pools, fairs, and farmers markets.  Staff promoted their work with a press release, newsletters, and social media posts.
Grant CountyHeatGrant County Health Department (GCHD) staff convened partners to talk about extreme heat.  At this meeting, GCHD staff had the opportunity to talk about the issue and distribute awareness materials, such as maps of cooling centers.  Two cooling centers were added as a result of this project.  GCHD also created a fan donation program.  Individuals can donate new or gently used fans at six community sites, including Goodwill and local thrift shops.  The Women, Infants, and Children program, congregate meal sites, and other partners distribute vouchers for free fans.  GCHD staff are actively promoting the cooling centers, fan donation program, and other resources through community presentations and local media, including one popular radio spot.
Grant CountyHeatInitially, GCHD staff expected heat-related ER visits in their communities would be among older adults—who often live alone, do not have air conditioning, and might have other health issues.  However, after reviewing medical record data, they learned most cases of heat-related injury were among men 30-45 years old.  Activities men were doing at the time of their heat-related injuries also tended to be leisure-related: golfing, mowing the grass, etc. 
Cases also tended to happen on milder days—those where temperatures were in the 80s, not the 90-100 degree days staff expected.  Armed with this new information, GCHD staff tailored additional messaging and outreach efforts to this population.
La Crosse CountyWell WaterIn fall 2017, health department staff hired a consultant to assess data on well construction and water quality testing in the towns of interest. He reviewed well depths, well types, land use activities, and groundwater flow to help explain why nitrate levels were high in about 30% of wells. To further explore the issue, staff convened a task force that included town residents as well as partners from the Land Conservation Division, UW-Extension, and city planning among others. The task force invited speakers to discuss how farming and septic systems impact groundwater, how groundwater flows, how nitrates can travel, and which policies and strategies might help mitigate nitrate contamination of groundwater. After hearing from the speakers and discussing the topics as a group, the task force compiled a policy analysis that summarized potential policies and their anticipated outcomes. They presented their findings and five policy recommendations to the community and health board in October 2018.
Lincoln CountyHeatLincoln County Health Department  (LCHD) staff invited seven agencies, such as local fire departments, social service organizations, and emergency management professionals, to participate in the planning process.  Together, they formed a plan that emphasizes messaging and coordinated efforts prior to, during, and following an extreme heat event.  The plan outlines roles and responsibilities of 14 key agencies and provides tools and resources, such as a list of cooling centers and press release templates, to assist with internal and external communication.
Lincoln CountyHeatLCHD staff recognized the need for more cooling centers—spaces where people can cool off during extreme heat—to address heat-related injury.  They identified businesses as a good place to start due to their established commitment to the community. 
In lieu of emails or cold calls, LCHD staff opted to take an individualized approach by visiting businesses in person.  Staff encouraged businesses to sign on as a cooling center by highlighting it as an easy way to help their community. The motto “people helping people” resonated with businesses, and the response was overwhelmingly supportive.  Through the campaign, LCHD increased the number of community cooling centers from five to nine.
Well Water    Marquette County    Health department staff offered free testing for up to 150 households, and prioritized tests for low-income residents via the agency’s WIC clinic and community events. Staff also established their office as a UPS Smart Pick Up site so residents could drop off tests in a convenient location, and staff ensured they were shipped to the lab on time. Staff mapped the results of the project and presented them before the Town’s Association—a group of elected officials from towns within the county.
Marquette CountyWell WaterHealth department staff wanted to make it easier for residents to find and understand lead risk information. Staff had access to a Home Lead Risks database which included information about the age of homes, known renovation dates for homes, the city water service type, and the private water lateral type. However, this information was difficult to query and it was not publicly available. Health department staff worked with an IT consultant to integrate the Menasha Home Lead Risks database into their publicly available agency website. In addition to the housing information, staff now offer more comprehensive lead poisoning prevention information, including how to clean and minimize the impact of lead paint in the home.
MenashaChildhood Lead PoisoningTo reach youth in the community, health department staff gave interactive presentations on sun safety to 104 third to fifth graders in the Sparta and Tomah Boys and Girls Club.  They also presented to 10 parents at the local Parenting Place nonprofit group. 
Staff also created a mass media campaign.  They recorded a public service announcement that ran on a local radio station during May.  They put up three strategically placed billboards throughout the county; since the boards weren’t currently in use, the vendor allowed them to go up three extra months for free.  The vendor estimated more than 590,000 adults viewed the billboards.  Staff also used their social media channels to post about skin cancer six times in May.  Analytics revealed they made over 1,200 impressions.  Staff also submitted three press releases and contributed an article to a University of Wisconsin-Extension publication that is written for agricultural workers.
Monroe CountyMelanomaOffering free, strategically placed sunscreen is one strategy health department staff used.  They worked with employees at three pools and nine baseball fields to offer free sunscreen during summer months.  Sunscreen packets were available at concession stands and front desks.  In total, nearly 3,800 packets of sunscreen were given out, 500 of which were donated by a sunscreen company.  Staff arranged for each pool and ball field complex to have a standing banner reminding patrons of five key sun safety behaviors.
Monroe CountyMelanomaHealth department staff met with two day care providers in their county to discuss the importance of sun safety policies and share examples of model policies.  The providers had sun safety policies in place, but health department staff noted the policies could be strengthened to reflect best practices outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics.  After following up with these two day cares, both report they updated their policies to include guidance on sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing use, as well as language on limiting exposure between peak hours and educating parents about the policy.
Portage CountyWell WaterIn fall 2018, Portage County Health Department staff tested 60 private wells for bacteria, nitrate, and other possible contaminants. Of the 60 wells tested, 28 exceeded the groundwater nitrate standard of 10mg/L. Of the wells with elevated nitrate levels, 25 went through additional source testing, which helps identify possible sources of contamination. Local health department staff held public meetings to discuss sources of nitrate contamination, identify potential contaminants, and demonstrate how to properly take samples.
Rock CountyWell WaterRock County Health Department (RCHD) opted for a new town-based approach to well water testing, presenting to all town officials at the Rock County Towns Association meeting. Towns volunteered for special testing and RCHD conducted three onsite town hall meetings. They created a comprehensive nitrate testing process for residents. At the first meeting, RCHD distributed sample bottles, and at the second they collected samples. At the third meeting, they reported results and presented on the health effects of nitrate and the importance of continued testing.
Rock CountyNitrateRCHD staff met with partners at the Rock County Land Conservation Department and Planning Department to map potential nitrate sources, such as manure application, industrial waste, municipal waste, and wastewater sites.  They also were able to map land cover, land use, irrigation systems, and crop data, as well as soil and geological characteristics.
Rock CountyWell WaterPublic health department staff contacted the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Geography Department to see if they had any budding Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-proficient students who would be willing to intern with the health department on this project. The Geography Department was as excited about the potential partnership as staff at the health department were. Two advanced students were up for the task. During their internship, they were able to map four complex, groundwater-related layers and participate in refining and adjusting a tool to help communities assess groundwater nitrate risks.
Rock CountyLead in WaterIn collaboration with their county school districts, health department staff wanted to test water in schools for lead. Staff offered free testing to 49 schools and Head Start programs, and 18 schools agreed to participate. In total, 192 initial samples were collected using the EPA’s school lead sampling guidelines. Of those samples, 24 (13%) had elevated levels of lead (greater than 15 ppb). Staff retested all locations with elevated levels. All schools were given information on their test results, potential health risks, and short-term and long-term lead reduction strategies, if applicable. Short-term strategies included actions such as shutting off water to fixtures with high lead levels, replacing plumbing fixtures, regular flushing of water lines, and designating drinking water locations with low lead levels. Health department staff provided messaging and template letters that schools could send to parents and staff.
Walworth CountyLead PoisoningTo further understand lead risks in these parts of the county, health department staff conducted a windshield survey.  A windshield survey is an informal assessment tool used to get a sense of a particular topic in a community—all done within a car.  In this windshield survey, health department staff drove around areas of their county with higher percentages of kids poisoned and identified potential lead hazards.  Staff were interested in learning which areas within a municipality could be prioritized for lead-safe community development and building permitting.  They reviewed dwellings and areas frequented by children, like schools, parks, and recreation centers for visual signs of potential lead hazards.  
Washburn CountyCarbon MonoxideHealth department staff established income eligibility requirements in order to distribute life-saving carbon monoxide detectors to those most in need. They developed partnerships with the Spooner Fire District, Washburn County Human Services Fuel Assistance Program, food pantries, Washburn County WIC, and other agencies that work directly with this population. Staff used the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System to connect people who reported to the emergency room for carbon monoxide poisoning with detectors.
Waukesha CountyLead in WaterEnvironmental health staff reached out to schools in their county asking if they’d like free lead testing. Five districts agreed to participate, and environmental health staff evaluated 21 schools. In total, they pulled 170 samples, with about nine samples from different water sources per school. Of those samples, three exceeded the EPA limit of 20 ppb. After retesting, staff confirmed two water fountains from one school contained lead. School district staff marked these water fountains as “out of order” after the initial sample and removed them entirely after confirming the high lead levels. Environmental health staff retested the water service lateral with the third high level. The retest sample did not exceed the EPA limit. They deduced the initial high level was from an old brass faucet in the boiler room.
During testing, staff found that while many lead levels were low, a few samples had high copper levels. While copper was not the focus of the project, environmental health staff reported these findings back to the schools and suggested potential remediation strategies. Two schools are working with water utilities and the Department of Natural Resources to find a long-term solution.
WisconsinHealth Impact AssessmentIn collaboration with 15 local and tribal health departments, the Institute for Wisconsin’s Health embarked on a project to better understand the environmental and health effects of industrial sand mining in their communities.  To help assess potential air quality impacts, the team requested resources and technical assistance from the Tracking Program, which provided data on emergency department visits for asthma from 2002-2013.  In addition to examining the Tracking data, the team reviewed literature and consulted with local subject matter experts.
WisconsinPolicyTo help illustrate the benefits of sub-zip code level hospital data, Tracking staff helped develop a compelling example—or use case—for increased geographical specificity. This use case focused on air pollution from roadways and how it affects asthma and heart-related hospitalizations. Because roadway pollution can vary greatly within a zip code, data analysts’ ability to tease out the impact of roadway pollution or other factors on observed health outcomes is extremely limited and would be greatly enhanced if the geographical resolution could be improved. 
WisconsinEmergency ResponseIn response to this event, Environmental Public Health Tracking staff realized that the state health department needed a system to alert agency staff when a large-scale chemical exposure event occurs.  A review of Tracking data on calls to the Wisconsin Poison Center revealed that multiple CO calls were made to poison center staff during and immediately after the poisoning event.  Based on this observation, Wisconsin Poison Center leadership worked with Tracking epidemiologists to create an alert system.  This system will send an email to Tracking staff when an anomalous number of poisoning calls occurs within a defined time frame.   This system will be refined to include state public health 24-hour on-call chemical emergency staff.
WisconsinBirth DefectsIn 2015, the Wisconsin Tracking Program was invited to speak to the Wisconsin Council on Birth Defects Prevention and Surveillance about how environmental exposures can contribute to birth defects and how we use birth defects data. During the presentation, the group discussed the data limitations, and our program manager was invited to join the Council to increase their capacity on how surveillance system improvements could benefit the public health system. Based in part on educational efforts by the Council and external partners, legislation was proposed and adopted with bipartisan support to amend state statute to make the registry an opt-out system.

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Last revised March 24, 2026