Environmental Health

Public Health Staff can answer questions and provide information and education on a variety of environmental health topics by calling 218-879-4511. For dog or other animal bite concerns, please call your healthcare provider directly.

Home Radon Test Kits

Radon home test kits are available from Carlton County Public Health and Human Services for $2 (as supply is available). Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer (see video of the link between radon and lung cancer here); please advocate for your family's health by testing your home for radon. If you do test your home for radon, this must be disclosed in the sale of your home. Please stop by Carlton County Public Health at 14 N 11th Street in Cloquet to buy a test. You can also call 218-879-4511 to have a test mailed to you. 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provides information on radon and how to protect your family's health. MDH recommends that every Minnesota home be tested for radon. Download a printable version of the brochure Radon: Keeping your home safe (PDF)

Inspections

Carlton County Public Health Staff do not perform inspections for concerns related to Food, Pools, or Lodging. These complaints (ex. bed bugs, food poisoning, etc.) can be directed to the Minnesota Department of Health's Regional Staff (Duluth District Office):  218-302-6166.

Carlton County Public Health Staff do not perform inspections for any environmental health hazard. For more information on Lead Testing, please call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-4620, or visit their website here. For information on Mold Testing, please visit the Minnesota Department of Health's website here.

Public Health Nuisance Inspections: Unless the City where the residence or property is located has its own ordinance to respond to these, the County works under the State Statue 145a.04 to address these concerns, if needed. Intake of a potential public health nuisance is received at 218-879-4511. Before calling, please read the following to help determine a public health nuisance: "A public health nuisance is defined by Minnesota law as any activity or failure to act that adversely affects the public health. More broadly, it can be described as a situation in which the presence of substances or unsanitary conditions are likely to foster disease or endanger the health and safety of the individuals, neighbors, and the community. Clutter or general poor housekeeping is not considered a public health nuisance."