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Scenic Kitsap landscape: lake, houses, mountains.

Our vision: A safe and healthy Kitsap County for all.

Fluoride In Drinking Water

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Creating a Healthy Living Environment

For most of us, we spend more time at home than anywhere else. Our homes – our living environments – can have a profound effect on our physical and mental wellbeing. A healthy living environment is one that protects people from health hazards such as disease vectors, pests, mold, lead, and fire.

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Rodents and
Other Pests
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Bedbugs
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Lead-based
Paint
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Mold
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Indoor Air
Quality
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Smoke and
Carbon Monoxide
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Rodents and Other Pests

Health effects: In addition to shedding allergy-causing particles, mice, rats, cockroaches, and other pests can carry a variety of diseases that can infect humans.

 

Prevention:

  • Maintain clean living and cooking areas. Food crumbs, scraps, and spills are an attractive food source for rodents and other household pests.

  • If you have an active infestation, make sure that food is stored in pest-proof containers.

  • Ensure that external entry points (crawl space and soffit vents, spaces under doors, etc.) are properly sealed.

  • If you have birdfeeders, store birdseed in rodent-proof containers and regularly clean up pilled birdseed.

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Bedbugs

Health effects: Bedbug infestations can cause physical discomfort (including allergic reactions to bites) and psychological distress. Although unpleasant, bedbugs are not know to carry or transmit human diseases.

 

Prevention:

  • When traveling, inspect sheets, mattresses, and box springs for evidence of bed bug infestation (reddish stains, feces, and eggs/egg casings). Do not stay in a room in which bedbugs are present.

  • Do not bring any secondhand furniture into your home without inspecting it for bedbugs.

  • Tumble dry clothes and bedding on high to kill attached bedbugs.

  • Vacuum carpets and rugs to capture stray bedbugs.

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Lead-Based Paint

Health effects: Exposure to lead can have a number of serious health effects, including neurological problems, pain, numbness in the hands and feet, and kidney failure. Lead poisoning is especially dangerous for children, who can suffer permanent developmental damage.

Prevention:

  • Inspect and repair cracked, peeling, or damaged lead-based paint.

  • Use appropriate safeguards when scraping, sanding, or removing lead-based paint.

  • Frequently wash children’s toys and utensils.

  • Avoid imported cookware.

  • Keep track of lead-related toy and product recalls.

More information:

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Mold

Health effects: Exposure to mold can cause allergic reactions like coughing, sneezing, sinus congestion, and eye irritation. Some molds produce toxins that may cause more serious health effects (for example, sick building syndrome), and a few species can cause opportunistic infections in people with weakened immune systems.

 

Prevention:

  • All molds need moisture to grow and reproduce. To prevent or reduce mold growth, be sure to fix any leaks, run the bathroom fan when taking a bath or shower, and reduce humidity (increase air circulation, use a dehumidifier).

  • Remove visible mold growth from surfaces using soap or dilute bleach.

  • Use HEPA filters to reduce concentrations of airborne spores.

More information:

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Indoor Air Quality

Health effects: Poor indoor air quality (inadequate circulation, high CO2 levels, volatile organic compounds, allergens, etc.) can cause discomfort, irritation, and reduced quality of life.

Prevention:

  • Improve air circulation (open windows when possible/seasonally appropriate).

  • Use HEPA filters to remove irritating particulates.

  • Choose less toxic/unscented household cleaning products.

  • Avoid storing volatile chemicals (paints, fuels, solvents, etc.) in your home, or store them in the minimum possible amount and in appropriate containers.

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Fire and Carbon Monoxide

Health effects: Smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide can be deadly household hazards.

 

Prevention:

  • Install at least one smoke detector on each level of your home, as well as in every bedroom. Install at least one carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home.

  • Regularly test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure that they are working properly.

  • Have fire extinguishers and know how to use them.

  • Have an escape plan.

  • Regularly clean your chimney/flue to prevent the buildup of flammable residues.

  • Do not use barbeques or gas ovens to heat your home.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that protects teeth from tooth decay. Almost all water contains some naturally occurring fluoride, but usually not enough to prevent tooth decay. Many communities adjust the amount of fluoride in the water supply to a level known to reduce tooth decay and promote good oral health. 

Is my Drinking Water Fluoridated?


This map shows all large (Group A) public water systems drinking water systems in Kitsap County that are fluoridated. If you have questions about your water, contact your water system for information about your own water. 


Resources 

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