Water Quality

Randolph County has five community water systems, one is a non-transient water system. During 2004, seven of the water systems experienced non-acute Coliform violations. Violations of this type are not uncommon throughout Missouri and do not pose any significant health risk when addressed promptly.

Lead Testing

Lead poisoning is one of the most common and preventable environmental health problems today. An estimated one million children have elevated blood lead levels of at least 10 micrograms per deciliter (10 dl) in the U.S. According to 2003 Missouri blood lead testing data, three thousand children under the age of six, were identified with elevated blood lead levels in the state. In Randolph County, 389 of 1,570 children under five years old were tested for lead, resulting in 18 children having blood lead levels above 10 µg/dl. In Randolph County, 389 of 1,570 children under five years old were tested for lead, resulting in 18 children having blood lead levels above 10 µg/dl.

Age of Housing

In 2000, 25.3 percent of Randolph County housing structures were built before 1940. Although the towns within Randolph County continue to expand with new housing subdivisions, pockets of older homes remain in Randolph County. Approximately 33% of the housing was developed before 1950. Therefore, it is believed that asbestos is a problem in many homes and buildings as well as lead paint.

Secondhand Smoke

The 2003 Missouri county-level study on second-hand smoke indicates that in Randolph County:

• 38.1 percent of survey respondents said that someone smoked in their home in the past seven days, compared to 23.6 percent for the State overall;
• 44.3 percent responded that they had been in a car with someone who was smoking, compared to 32.5 percent for the State overall;
• 92.0 percent believe secondhand smoke is a cause of respiratory problems for children, compared to the State rate of 94.5 percent

Smokebusters

The Randolph County Health Department was awarded a tobacco prevention grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health in 2005. The Northeast Missouri Cancer Coalition was the applicant for the grant, with funds designated for use throughout northeast Missouri. Funds are designated to develop peer mentoring programs among high school students. These students develop programs for younger students and also promote tobacco prevention strategies in the community.

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