FAQs • KDHE, KS • CivicEngage

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Acute Flaccid Myelitis

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1. What's the situation in Kansas?

Kansas reported one confirmed case of AFM in 2018
KDHE is investigating one person with symptoms consistent with AFM
KDHE and CDC use a standard definition for surveillance purposes and classify potential cases of AFM by thoroughly reviewing medical and radiologic information
Classifying these cases can take some time to complete due to the complexity of this condition, to collect and test clinical specimens, and collect clinical information that is reviewed by a panel of experts
Clinical diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients should not rely on the case classification process

2. What is AFM?

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare, but serious, condition
AFM mainly affects children
It affects the nervous system, specifically an area of the spinal cord called gray matter, which causes muscles and reflexes to become weak
Viruses, including enteroviruses, likely play a role in AFM. More than 90% of patients with AFM had a mild respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before they developed AFM

3. Are these cases related to Polio?: While AFM can be caused by the polio virus, CDC is currently reporting that none of the recent cases have tested positive for the polio virus.

4. How many cases of AFM do we typically see each year in Kansas?: We typically have had between 0 and 2 cases a year since 2014 when surveillance for AFM began. AFM became a reportable disease in Kansas on May 11, 2018. All suspect cases should be reported within 24 hours to KDHE or your local health department.

5. What is KDHE doing about this?

KDHE has been in contact with CDC to make sure we have the most up-to-date information on AFM and we will facilitate the shipment of specimens to CDC for lab testing as needed
KDHE is working to educate providers on what to look for and actions to take if a patient comes to them with symptoms
KDHE will continue to investigate cases and share information as needed
Once a suspect case is reported to KDHE, we work closely with health care providers to coordinate the collection of specimens and additional clinical information

6. Where can we find more information about AFM?

AFM Fact Sheet (PDF)
General information about AFM
Information for clinicians and health departments
Job Aid for Clinicians (PDF)
Updated case counts for Kansas (updated every Tuesday)
Updated case counts for the United States (updated monthly on Mondays)

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Acute Flaccid Myelitis - Information for Parents & Caregivers

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1. What are the symptoms?

Often following a respiratory illness, the symptoms may occur:

AFM Symptoms

2. How can you prevent AFM?

Since it can be caused by viruses, take basic steps to help keep you and your family healthy:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or upper shirt sleeve (not hands)
- Stay home if you are sick
- Wash your hands frequently to limit your exposure to germs

3. When should you see a healthcare provider?: Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you see any symptoms of AFM in yourself or your child, for example, if your child is not using his/her arm, or other signs of sudden muscle weakness.

4. How is AFM diagnosed?

AFM can be diagnosed by examining a person's nervous system which includes a physical examination of weakened muscles and reflexes, taking a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of the brain and spinal cord, and testing stool, respiratory, sera, and cerebral spinal fluid specimens.

It is important that tests are done as soon as possible after someone develops symptoms.

5. Can AFM be treated?

CDC is working closely with national experts to better understand how to treat AFM
KDHE is helping CDC to better understand the long-term outcomes of people with AFM
There is no specific treatment, but a doctor may recommend things like physical and occupational therapy to help with arm or leg weakness

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Applications / Forms - RRP FAQs

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1. Since the EPA recently amended the RRP to allow a contractor to collect paint chip samples, will KDHE allow the contractor to collect paint chip samples as well?: No. Kansas regulations do not allow for the collection of paint chip samples by anyone other than a certified risk assessor or lead inspector who is employed by a licensed lead activity firm.

2. I want to comply with EPA/KDHE Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. What do I need to do?

Firms must be licensed by KDHE. To become licensed, renovation contractors must submit an application and fee payment to KDHE. An application can be found here. Once licensed, the firm will be able to advertise that they are a KDHE licensed company under the RRP program and you will be given the authorization to use KDHE's Licensed Renovator Firm logo. If you would like to have a copy of the logo, please send an email request.

Renovations covered by the rule must be performed or directed by a Certified Renovator. Individuals can become certified renovators by completing a one-day training course in Lead-Safe Work Practices. A list of KDHE accredited training providers can be found here. All applications for licensure must be received within 1 year from the completion date of your LSWP training class. If it has been over a year since your training, you will be required to take a 4-hour refresher course.

If you have already taken a Lead-Safe Work Practices class by a non-KDHE accredited training provider, you will be required to take an online exam before becoming licensed to perform work in Kansas.

3. How long will it take KDHE to process my application to become licensed?: The processing time of applications is generally around 7 days as long as all information submitted on the application is correct and complete. You will be notified of any missing information needed and will have 30 days to submit any additional documentation.

4. What happens if my firm is in the middle of a renovation job and none of my employees or my firm is not licensed? What should I do?: All renovation work that is included in the Renovation, Repair and Painting rule must be done by a licensed firm only. All work must be ceased until your company and employees are properly trained and licensed.

5. I operate a renovation firm and I have heard that Kansas has adopted its own lead Renovation, Repair and Painting program. Do I have to also be certified by EPA?: As of April 09, 2010, Kansas was authorized to run our own RRP program. You are only required to be licensed in Kansas if you are performing the work in Kansas. If you are also working outside of Kansas, you will need to contact the EPA to see if you are required to be licensed with them or if that state has their own RRP program.

6. Are schools subject to the RRP rule?: Yes. RRP applies to all schools public, private and alternative. The RRP rule affects all facilities where children are present under the age of 6 that visit the property at least 2 different days in a week with each days visit lasting 3 hours or more and a combined visit of 6 hours a week with an annual visit of 60 hours.

7. How long will it take KDHE to process my application to become licensed?: The processing time of applications is generally around 7 days as long as all information submitted on the application is correct and completed. You will be notified of any missing information needed and will have 30 days to submit any additional documentation.

8. Are stained surfaces subject to the RRP Rule?: Yes. This is considered a coating.

9. I am a handyman working alone. Do I need to be licensed as a firm?: Yes, you will need both the individual and the firm license.

10. I live in one unit of a duplex and I own and rent the other. Do I need RRP certification?: Yes, if you do maintenance or repair work on the rental unit.

11. I own and rent a home where the tenants do repair work at the property. In return I lower their monthly rent for their work. Can my tenants continue to do the work or no because of the RRP rule?: No, your tenants cannot perform the work on the property unless they are a licensed renovator and either employed by or licensed as a renovation firm. Rent is considered compensation under the rule.

12. How does the Kansas RRP regulations differ from those of the EPA?

Heat guns are prohibited in Kansas
Test kits to determine the presence of lead in surface coatings is prohibited in Kansas.
The use of paint chip and dust sampling is only allowed by a licensed Risk Assessor or Lead Inspector in Kansas.

13. Processing time of applications is generally around 7 days as long as all information submitted on the application is correct and completed. You will be notified of any missing information needed and: A list of licensed firms can be found here. You can also send an email or call Phone: 866-865-3233 to speak to a staff member who can assist you to find out if a firm is licensed.

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Bacteriological Sampling

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1. What is the monitoring period for bacteriological (Total Coliform Rule) compliance?: One calendar month is the monitoring period for bacteriological (Total Coliform Rule) compliance.

2. What criteria are used to determine the minimum number of bacteriological samples a Public Water Supply System is required to collect each month?

The number of samples required depends upon water source type and population served.

View the Bacteriological Number of Samples Chart (PDF).

3. I missed my collection day. What do I do?: Please take your sample the next Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday that does not fall on or around a holiday. The sample must be collected within the scheduled month.

4. Can you test my well?

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment discontinued coliform testing of private well samples on August 1, 1989. Assuring the safety of private drinking water supplies really requires an assessment of the well location and construction as well as a site assessment for potential contaminants. For example, a poorly constructed well could be free of contaminants one day and then become highly contaminated the next after a heavy rainstorm washes contaminants into the well. A single sample is not a true indicator of the overall safety or purity of the water.

A list of private labs to sample well water or test for Cryptosporidium, or Giardia, can be found online.

5. What about water supply address or personnel changes?: Make sure that you keep these up to date at all times. If there are any changes please make sure that the Public Water Supply Section is notified at (785) 296-6340. The lab prepares kits for mailing about 6 weeks ahead of the collection date, so it is very important that you update your information as soon as possible. You can also print off a PWS Contact Change Form (PDF) and return it to:
KDHE Bureau of Water
1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 420
Topeka KS 66612-1367

6. How does the State Laboratory mail out the collection kits?

If your water system collects 6 or fewer routine samples per month, bottles are mailed from the KDHE lab to you via the U.S. Post Office on or around the 15th of the previous month. If you collect 7 or more routine samples per month, they are mailed to you via UPS on or around the 20th of the previous month. Your kits should arrive at you around the 1st of the month in which you need to collect them.

If you do not receive your collection kits by the 10th of the month, call 785-296-0971 for a replacement.

7. How do I handle collection kits that are delivered while I still have bottles to collect?: Pay close attention to the suggested collection date on the submission forms. Because the KDHE Laboratory sends the bottles out 10 to 15 days ahead of the month due, they can arrive in the month previous to the collection date. If you collect this bottle before the designated collection month, you might have collected too many samples in one month and not enough the next month and you might be out of compliance for the next month.

8. What can I do if I have sent my sample, but forgot to fill out the collection form?

If the date, time, collection location or the collector's name is missing, we will call you one time using the number we have on file. We will leave a message with the clerk, secretary, or answering service for you to call us. You will have until 12 (noon) the next day to return the call, or we will reject the sample and send you a replacement (Yellow - REPL card) kit for you to collect another sample.

If you realize that you left off information after sending your sample, you can call the lab at 785-296-0971, and we can update your form when the sample arrives at the lab.

9. What if there is a small amount of liquid or white powder in the bottle? Is it safe to use?: Yes, please do not rinse the bottle. The manufacturer adds sodium thiosulfate to each bottle prior to sterilization. Depending on the environmental conditions, the sodium thiosulfate could be liquid droplets or dry out and leave a powder. The sodium thiosulfate removes the chlorine from the sample and works in either liquid or powder form.

10. What should I do if the lid on the bottle is loose?: If the cap is loose but the safety seal is still intact, then the bottle should be OK! If the lid has fallen off, or you have a concern about the bottle integrity, then call 785-296-0971 for a new bottle.

11. I had a positive sample and sent in a box of 3 repeat samples, and now I have another box of 3 samples, what are they for?

If you have Total Coliform or E. Coli detected in a routine water sample:

The first box of 3 samples is "Repeat" samples. Look for the "RP" on the sample submission forms to the right of your account name at the top of the form.
The next set of samples are "Temporary Routine" samples. Look for the "TR RTOR" on the sample submission forms to the right of your account name at the top of the form. The Temporary Routine samples should be collected in the month following a positive sample. You must collect no fewer than 5 samples the month following a positive routine sample. The number of "TR RTOR" samples you receive is based on how many routine samples you normally collect each month. If you collect two routine samples a month, you will receive 3 "TR RTOR" samples to bring your total collections for the next month to five. If you collect three routine samples a month, you will receive 2 "TR RTOR" samples to bring your total collections for the next month to five, etc.
The Temporary Routine samples will be mailed on or around the first of the month they are to be collected. They can be collected anywhere on your site plan and collected as you would a routine sample. It is advised to collect them throughout the month on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday not preceding a holiday. They must all be returned to the lab by the end of the scheduled month. Failure to collect and return five routine samples in a month following a positive routine sample will result in a monitoring violation.

12. I collected my sample but forgot to mail it, or I know my sample will be too old. What should I do?: Please call the KDHE lab at 785-296-0971, and we will send a replacement if needed. We would like to have the affected bottle number(s) at the time of the call and the submission form(s) for our records, so we ask that you send those form(s) in with your next sample and its completed paperwork.

13. Where do I collect the replacement for my rejected sample?: You may collect it at any place on your registered site plan, but it is good practice to collect it at the original location.

14. How many repeat samples are required following a coliform-positive result and where are they to be collected?: Three repeat samples are required to be collected within 24 hours of learning of positive results if possible. One Repeat sample is required to be collected from the original coliform-positive site, one from within 5 service connections upstream of the original site, and one from within 5 service connections downstream of the original site.

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Breath Alcohol Laboratory Program

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1. How to order DC-70, DC-27, DC-28 and CDL-5 forms?

Reordering Forms:

You can order more forms from the DL Administrative Hearing Section at the Kansas Department of Revenue by:
- Fax: 785-296-6911
- Email

2. How does a Law Enforcement agency become certified to operate the Intoxilyzer 9000?: Any Law Enforcement agency can become a Breath Alcohol Program (BAP) certified agency. There are several steps to becoming a certified agency. First, contact the BAP at 785-296-1642 or via email. An agency application will be provided to your agency. The application must be filled out and returned to KDHE for approval. The officers at the agency wanting to become certified operators must submit a training application and attend an Intoxilyzer 9000 class. If the agency also wants an instrument, they need to specify this when contacting the BAP. If the agency is granted an instrument, a BAP staff member will set up the instrument at the agency and instruct the custodian on his/her responsibilities. The instrument will be tested at the agency when it is set up.

3. How does an individual become a certified operator?: To become a certified operator, an individual must submit a training application to KDHE. The training application can be downloaded from the Breath Alcohol Laboratory Program page. The individual will be placed on the roster of the class they have selected, if available. A confirmation email will be sent to the Agency Custodian two weeks prior to the class date. The individual must attend, complete and pass the Intoxilyzer 9000 training course. After completing and passing the course, the newly certified operator will receive an operator's certification card.

4. How does an individual find class locations, dates, whether a class is full or if their training application was processed?: The class schedule is located on the Breath Alcohol Laboratory Program page. To determine if a class is full or if an individual from your agency is in a specific class, contact the Breath Alcohol Program (BAP) at 785-296-1642 or via email.

5. How does an agency, operator or custodian renew the certification of an agency, operator or instrument?: The renewal process occurs at the end of each calendar year. An application is sent to all certified agencies in October. This application contains all the necessary paperwork for renewal. The application is sent via email to the Agency Custodian. All operators that expire in the given calendar year must complete the required online continuing education course to renew their certification. If you have any questions, contact the Breath Alcohol Program at 785-296-1642 or via email.

6. What is online continuing education training?: Continuing education is stipulated in K.A.R. 28-32-10(d). All certified operators must complete the online continuing education training at least once every two years to renew their certification. The online training is located on the Kansas Train website. If you have any questions, contact the Breath Alcohol Program at 785-296-1642 or via email.

7. How does someone find a change of status, training application, or CMI evaluation form?: Please, go to the Breath Alcohol Laboratory Program page to download the form you need.

8. What is the change of status form and when do I fill it out?: The change of status form is used to notify the Breath Alcohol Program (BAP) when a certified operator leaves an agency, comes to an agency or changes their name. The change of status form can be downloaded from the Breath Alcohol Laboratory Program page. Complete the appropriate information to delete, transfer or change the name of an operator. If you have any questions, contact the BAP at 785-296-1642 or via email.

9. What do I do when my instrument needs repair?: Contact Breath Alcohol Program (BAP) staff to notify them of the issue. The BAP staff may be able to assist so the instrument can be returned to service. If the BAP staff are unable to assist and determine the instrument does need to go for repair, we will help complete the CMI Service Evaluation form. Please indicate to the BAP staff member whether a loaner instrument is desired. Include the completed form in the box with the instrument and mail it to CMI. Their address is located at the bottom of the evaluation form. Remember to remove your gas cylinder prior to boxing your instrument. Following repair, the instrument will be sent to the BAP to verify the instrument and then returned to your agency. If you have any questions, contact the BAP at 785-296-1642 or via email.

10. What do I do when I have received my repaired instrument?: Check to determine the repaired instrument has been verified by a Breath Alcohol Program (BAP) staff member. The yellow service work order form should have the date and initials of a BAP staff member that performed the post-repair verification. You should also have maintenance log entries showing that the repair records have been entered into the instrument. If anything is missing contact the BAP prior to setting up the instrument. If the paperwork is all located, set up your instrument, perform a 'standard change' (if required) and perform a Weekly QC check using the "return" option. The instrument has now been returned to service and is ready for use.

11. I just received my Agency Application Packet; how do I complete all the forms?

Part 1

Certification Application (PDF)
- Is the address provided correct? If not, make the appropriate corrections in the space provided.
- In the instrument section, write the instrument serial number of the evidential breath testing (EBAT) device(s) your agency expects to routinely use and sign as the Agency Custodian. Your Agency Head (Sheriff, Interim Sheriff, Chief, Interim Chief, etc.) must also sign the bottom of the form. If the Agency Head is unavailable, please contact the Breath Alcohol Program (BAP) at 785-296-1642 or via email and they will advise you on the next step and/or additional paperwork that is or may be needed.

Part 2

Operator Certification Renewal Application (DOC)
- This page references all operators who must renew their certification during the current calendar year. Mark the box by the name of each operator who wishes to renew. Any boxes left blank may result in the officer(s) being inactivated. Please note that a BAP staff member may contact you to confirm the individual does not intend to renew their certification, especially if they are not marked off on the Operator Roster.

Part 3

Operator Roster (DOC): Make any change(s) to your Operator Roster on this page.
Deletion (DOC): Cross through any operator name which should be removed from your agency Operator Roster. Please include a Change of Status (found on the Breath Alcohol Laboratory Program page) for each deletion.
Name Changes (DOC): Correct any operator name(s) by crossing through the old name and writing in the new name. Please include a Change of Status (found on the Breath Alcohol Laboratory Program page) for each name change. If the name was inadvertently misspelled by the BAP, please contact the BAP at 785-296-1642 or via email to have the name corrected and a new card sent. A change of status form would not be required in this case.
Transfers (DOC): Any operator who is currently active or eligible to be active should have a transfer completed and sent into the BAP. The operator's name should be written on the Operator Roster indicating the addition of the operator. Please include a Change of Status (found on the Breath Alcohol Laboratory Program page) for each transfer. If the operator is being added due to being newly certified, please add their name to the Operator Roster but no Change of Status form is required.

Note: If the operator needs to renew their certification during the current calendar year, add their name, operator number, and a box in front of their name to the Operator Certification Renewal Application and mark the box to reflect their intent to renew.

If you have any questions, contact the BAP at 785-296-1642 or via email.

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Bureau of Air - Air Construction Permit

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1. Do I have to submit a fee for an approval?: As of November 18, 2016, there is a $750 fee for each construction approval application. This change is a revision to Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R.) 28-19-304(a).

2. I am applying for a construction permit and a fee is required. Who should the check be made out to?: The check should be made out to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

3. How many copies of my notification of construction or modification should I send in?: We request facilities submit one copy.

4. How many copies of my PSD permit application do I need to send in?: KDHE requests the original and two copies of the application, including all supporting documentation shall be submitted for PSD permit applications.

5. Who is qualified to sign a notification of construction or modification for a facility?: The application for a notification of construction or modification of a stationary source or emissions unit shall be made by the owner or operator. An owner or operator is defined as "any person who owns, leases, operates, controls, or supervises an affected facility, emissions unit or stationary source subject to any standard or requirement of the Kansas air quality act, Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.) 65-3001 et seq., or any rule and regulation promulgated thereunder."

6. Do emergency generators require permitting?: Yes. KDHE has prepared an expedited emergency generator application. All applications and reports are located in the Kansas Environmental Information Management System (KEIMS). Please visit the KEIMS page to set up your KEIMS account.

7. There has been a change of ownership at my facility. How do I notify the KDHE of the ownership change?: KDHE has prepared a Change of Ownership form. All applications and forms are located in the Kansas Environmental Information Management System (KEIMS). Please visit the KEIMS page to set up your KEIMS account.

8. My permit requires a Method 9 test. Can I conduct my own test, and do I have to get my certification in Kansas?: You can conduct your own test if you are currently a certified Method 9 observer. You do not have to be certified specifically in Kansas.

9. How can I request that information in my permit application be kept confidential?: KDHE has developed an Informational Sheet on Confidential Information (PDF), which includes procedures for requesting that information be kept confidential and what information can be kept confidential.

10. I need a construction permit or approval for the equipment I want to install. Can I go ahead and order the equipment or begin foundation work prior to getting the permit?

Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R.) 28-19-300 requires a construction permit or approval to be issued before "beginning actual construction or modification" if the increase in potential-to-emit resulting from the project exceeds certain levels. Land can be cleared, contracts made, and equipment may be purchased and stored on site prior to permit or approval issuance, but foundation work is considered to be "beginning actual construction" and must wait until after issuance.

Equipment whose emissions contribute to the requirement to obtain a construction permit or approval cannot be permanently affixed or installed prior to issuance of the permit or approval. Any activity conducted prior to the issuance of the permit is conducted at the owner or operator's financial risk and shall not be a factor during the application review.

11. I have applied for and received a permit for some new equipment. What are some common compliance problems that occur with new permit holders?

We encourage you to read the construction permit or approval carefully, since these documents obligate each facility to certain requirements. The following is a list of requirements that are sometimes overlooked:

Permits and approvals for equipment subject to 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 60 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) or Part 63 Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) may contain performance testing requirements within 180 days after startup or rule applicability. Refer to the permit or approval for details.
Permits and approvals for equipment subject to 40 CFR Part 60 NSPS contain requirements for notifications.
Permits and approvals may also require notifications for Part 63 MACT.
Most permits and approvals contain a requirement to notify the local inspector when installation of the new equipment is complete, so that an evaluation may be conducted.
Permits and approvals for portable equipment usually require a notification when equipment is moved, as required by Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R.) 28-19-9(c).

12. I have a Class II permit that contains limits. If I apply for a construction permit, how does this affect my Class II permit?

If you are still able to operate within the limits of your Class II permit, then a new construction permit or approval does not affect your Class II permit. If you exceed the operational limits of the Class II permit, then you are required to file the appropriate application for permit modification or for a Class I permit within 180 days after exceeding the operating permit operational restriction, as required by Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R.) 28-19-501(c)(2)(C).

If the new construction permit or approval allows new pollutants that would make the facility a major source, or if potential emissions are increased above major source thresholds, then you will be required to add new restrictions in the existing Class II permit or apply for a Class I permit within one year as required by K.A.R. 28-19-541(a) and 510(e).

13. I am subject to a Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) rule that applies only in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties, both of which are in attainment for the standard. Am I still subject?

The rule says that it only applies to facilities that are located "... in an area which has been identified as not meeting the national primary ambient air quality standard for ozone in the manner prescribed by the provisions of the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S. Code 7407 as promulgated at 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 81, as in effect July 1, 1989."

Johnson and Wyandotte Counties have achieved attainment status, but the area is in maintenance status and is very close to exceeding the ozone standard currently. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that a maintenance area retain existing control measures - including RACT rules - to assure continued maintenance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

14. 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 60 reporting requirements have changed to semi-annual for most facilities. My permit quotes the old Part 60 requirements. Can I change reporting to semi-annual?: KDHE will evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to:
KDHE Bureau of Air
Air Compliance and Enforcement Section
1000 SW Jackson
Suite 310
Topeka, KS 66612-1366

15. My permit requires a performance test within a specified time period because of equipment subject to 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 60 requirements. Can I have an extension?: KDHE cannot grant extensions for performance test time frames in federal rules, including Parts 60 and 63.

16. What is a non-road mobile engine and how does KDHE regulate them?

While KDHE does not regulate non-road mobile engines, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated the Clean Air Non-road Diesel Rule, which aimed to lower all non-road diesel fuel to ultra-low sulfur diesel (15 parts per million (ppm)) after 2014. All non-road engines and equipment must use this fuel. A non-road engine is an internal combustion engine that meets any of the following criteria:

It is (or will be) used in or on a piece of equipment that is self-propelled or serves a dual purpose by both propelling itself and performing another function (such as garden tractors, off-highway mobile cranes and bulldozers).
It is (or will be) used in or on a piece of equipment that is intended to be propelled while performing its function (such as lawnmowers and string trimmers).
By itself or in or on a piece of equipment, it portable or transportable, meaning designed to be and capable of being carried or moved from one location to another. Indicia of transportability include, but are not limited to, wheels, skids, carrying handles, dolly, trailer, or platform.

An internal combustion engine is not a non-road engine if it meets any of the following criteria:

The engine is used to propel a motor vehicle, an aircraft, or equipment used solely for competition.
The engine is regulated under 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 60, (or otherwise regulated by a federal New Source Performance Standard promulgated under section 111 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S. Code 7411)).
The engine is otherwise included in paragraph (1)(iii) of this definition remains or will remain at a location for more than 12 consecutive months or a shorter period of time for an engine located at a seasonal source. A location is any single site at a building, structure, facility, or installation. Any engine (or engines) that replaces an engine at a location and that is intended to perform the same or similar function as the engine replaced will be included in calculated the consecutive time period. An engine located at a seasonal source is an engine that remains at a seasonal source during the full annual operating period of the seasonal source. A seasonal source that remains in a single location on a permanent basis (i.e., at least two years) and that operates at that single location approximately three months (or more) each year. See 40 CFR 1068.31 for provisions that apply if the engine is removed from the location.

17. How does KDHE permit the venting of casinghead gas at gas well facilities?

The facility is subject to certain New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) OOOO requirements for drilling and well head completions for gas wells, including a green completion or a combustion control device (40 Code of Federal Regulations 60.5375(a)). KDHE has prepared a Gas Well Notification Form that must be submitted to Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 and KDHE for initial drilling. If this is an activity other than initial drilling, a construction permit/approval may be required.

All applications and forms are located in the Kansas Environmental Information Management System (KEIMS). Please visit the KEIMS page to set up your KEIMS account.

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Bureau of Air - Air Operating Permit

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1. Who should I contact with questions about my permit?: Please visit the Air Permits Section of our staff directory to learn more about who you should contact with your permit questions.

2. How much is the fee for an operating permit application?

Class I & Class II Operating Permit Application Fees

Application Type	Class I	Class II
Initial	$3,000	$200
Renewal	$3,000	N/A
Modification	Minor: $0 Significant: $1,500	$100
General Application	N/A	$50
Permit by Rule	N/A	$50
Re-opening	$0	$0
Administrative Amendment	$0	$0

3. My Responsible Official has changed. Do I need to notify the Bureau of Air?

No, there is no requirement to notify the department of the change in responsible official. A Responsible Official is defined as:

For a corporation, a president, secretary, treasurer, or vice-president in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy or decision-making functions for the corporation, or a duly authorized representative of such person if the representative is responsible for the overall operation of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities applying for or subject to permit or other relevant regulatory requirement and if either:
1. the facilities employ more than 250 persons or have gross annual sales or expenditures exceeding $25 million, in second quarter, 1980 dollars: or
2. the delegation of authority to such representative is approved in advance by the department;
For a partnership or sole proprietorship, a general partner or the proprietor, respectively;
For a municipality, or a state, federal, or other public agency, a principal executive officer or ranking elected official. For purposes of this definition, a principal executive officer of a federal agency shall include the chief executive officer having responsibility for the overall operations of a principal geographic unit of the agency; or
For affected sources, the designated representative under title IV of the federal clean air act, acid deposition control. (K.A.R. 28-19-200(ccc))

4. How many copies of my operating permit application do I send in?: The original and two copies of the application, including all supporting documentation shall be submitted for Class I Operating permit applications. One copy of the Class II application must be submitted.

5. What is included as an exempt activity for a Class I Operating Permit?

Exempt activities are activities, not otherwise triggering any specific applicable requirement, the emissions of which are beyond the scope of the permit program. These activities do not need to be listed in the permit application.

The principles used to establish lists of exempt activities (which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calls "trivial" activities) are:

The activities that do not have applicable requirements that apply to them.
Their emissions are small enough that their emissions are below construction permit and approval thresholds.

The applicability of the "exempt activity" concept to the operating permit and construction permit programs should be identical. That is, an activity that is exempt from the operating permit program should also be exempt from the construction permit program. In the event that an activity listed as exempt in the operating permit program is deemed to have emission levels under some circumstances that would trigger an applicable requirement such as a construction permit, it cannot be viewed as an exempt activity. Similarly, if an activity needs to have some form of emission limit applied to it in order to be placed on the exempt list, it should not be on the list. If the emissions from the activity are not below permit or approval thresholds (even though it may not have applicable requirements), it should be looked at as an insignificant activity, not an exempt unit.

Refer to the list of exempt activities in the Class I Operating Permit application glossary for a complete description. All applications and reports are located in the Kansas Environmental Information Management System (KEIMS). Please visit the KEIMS page to set up your KEIMS account.

6. What is a Method 9 test?: Many stationary sources discharge visible emissions into the atmosphere; these emissions are usually in the shape of a plume. A Method 9 test involves the determination of plume opacity. Opacity is the amount of light obscured by pollution. A person conducting a Method 9 must be certified. Method 9 can be found in 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 60, Appendix A.

7. What is a qualitative assessment?

A qualitative assessment is an observation of visible emissions, or opacity, from a stationary source. The person responsible for making qualitative opacity assessments must be knowledgeable about the effect on visibility of emissions caused by background contrast, ambient lighting, observer position relative to lighting, wind, and the presence of uncombined water in the plume. A qualitative assessment is a brief description of the visible emissions. The qualitative assessment is not required to be six minutes long, and the observer is not required to be certified.

Records usually required for qualitative assessments include: time and date assessment occurred, whether emissions appeared normal, a description of the emission point from which any unusual emissions emanated, steps taken to correct any abnormal emissions, and the name of the person conducting the assessment, and any other information required by the permit.

8. What is CAM? Do the requirements include hazardous air pollutants?: CAM is an acronym for Compliance Assurance Monitoring. The Clean Air Act requires compliance assurance monitoring (CAM) for major stationary sources of air pollution that are required to obtain operating permits under Title V. CAM requirements are outlined in 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 64. CAM requires monitoring for each emissions unit that is a major source, and that relies on pollution control equipment to achieve compliance with one or more emission standards. CAM requirements do include sources of hazardous air pollutants and emission standards for hazardous air pollutants.

9. What should my semi-annual report look like?: KDHE has developed an Example Semiannual Report (PDF). This format may need to be modified to include requirements that are specific to your facility.

10. Do I have to startup an emission unit for a Method 9 test or qualitative assessment if I normally would not operate it at all during the reporting period?: No. If the emission unit isn't operating during the reporting period, a test is not required.

11. I operate the equipment June to August only. The permit requires that Method 9 tests be conducted twice per year with no less than 6 months between readings. What should I do to stay in compliance?: If the facility operates only 3 months per year, conduct a Method 9 during that time period. If the emission units do not operate during the remaining 9 months, a second Method 9 is not required. Municipal power plants sometimes start units up for a very short time to perform maintenance checks and operator training. Fire pumps and emergency generators are also occasionally started up for maintenance checks. Such startup is not considered operating time, if units are not used for generating power or pumping water. Therefore, Method 9 tests and qualitative assessments would not be required unless the emission unit operates.

12. I have applied for a Class I Operating Permit and have not received the new permit; a new MACT standard has been finalized, and my facility will be subject. What should I do?

Update your Class I permit application to include the new MACT standard. If you know how the facility will comply with the new rules, you can include this in the permit application. Review the new rules carefully, and submit required notifications. 40 Code of Federal Regulations 63.9(b) requires an initial notification within 120 days after the effective (promulgation) date of the standard. The notification should be submitted to:
Mr. Ward Burns
Air Permitting and Compliance Branch
U.S. EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219

KDHE requests that a copy of the initial MACT notification be submitted to the Bureau of Air. The copy should be submitted to:
KDHE Bureau of Air
Air Compliance and Enforcement Section
1000 SW Jackson
Suite 310
Topeka, KS 66612-1366

13. How can I find out if my generator is an emergency generator?: KDHE relies on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guidance on Calculating Potential to Emit (PTE) for Emergency Generators (PDF), which describes the parameters within which the generator must operate to be considered an emergency generator for these purposes. The intent and usage of the generator must be consistent with the guidance.

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Bureau of Air - Compliance & Enforcement

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1. I just discovered that I am out of compliance with my permit. How can I get this problem resolved?

KDHE supports improving compliance with environmental laws and regulations by encouraging the use of self-audits, voluntary disclosure of violations, and the implementation of environmental management systems by the regulated community. If a member of the regulated community submits a self disclosure for violations and KDHE determines the violations are not eligible for immunity from penalties, KDHE will take those good faith efforts into consideration when assessing the necessary response.

We also encourage you to contact the K-State Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 800-578-8898 for confidential help with questions about air permits.

2. My permit requires that I conduct a performance test (also sometimes called a stack test). I am not sure what this is, or how I get this done. Where do I start?

A stack test measures the amount of a specific pollutant or pollutants being emitted through regulated stacks at facilities subject to the requirements of state and federal regulations and permit conditions. Stack testing is an important tool used to determine a facility's compliance with emission limits. Many companies hire contractors to conduct performance tests. KDHE maintains a list of contractors who are available for performance testing in Kansas as well as a List of Performance Testing Companies (PDF). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also maintains a list of national performance testing companies; visit the Air Emission Measurement Center page to view said list.

In addition, KDHE provides Performance Testing Guidelines to help facilities and stack testing companies prepare protocols for, conduct, and prepare reports for performance tests in Kansas.

3. I am required to conduct a performance test. I would like to request a different test method than the one required by the rule that I am subject to. How can I do this?

If the test is required to demonstrate compliance with a federal rule, then a written request for an alternative test method should be sent to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7, and the request will be forwarded to EPA Headquarters. The EPA will respond in writing, approving or denying the request for an alternative test method. If the test is required to demonstrate compliance with a state only rule, then a written request should be sent to KDHE. KDHE will respond in writing. The addresses to send such requests are as follows:
Kansas Compliance Officer
Air Permitting and Compliance Branch
U.S. EPA, Region 7
11201 Renner Blvd
Lenexa, KS 66219

Air Compliance and Enforcement Section
KDHE Bureau of Air
1000 SW Jackson
Suite 310
Topeka, KS 66612

4. I've got waste materials that I need to dispose of. Can I burn this material, rather than sending it to a landfill?

Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R.) 28-19-645 prohibits open burning, with a few exceptions outlined in K.A.R. 645-648 (PDF); this regulation can be found on page 100. Contact the KDHE District Office or Local Agency Air Program of the county where you wish to burn for more information.

If you still have questions, please contact the Compliance and Enforcement Section by calling 785-296-6422.

5. I have a complaint about a source of air emissions. Who should I call?

Anywhere in Kansas may call the Compliance and Enforcement Section at 785-296-6422
KDHE District Offices and Local Air Programs (PDF)

6. I would like to become certified to conduct Method 9 evaluations. Are there "smoke schools" in the area where I can get certified?

KDHE is aware of three smoke schools in the area. These and other companies also conduct smoke school in neighboring states. Tests are normally conducted twice a year, with one in the spring and another in the fall.

Smoke School Contacts

Eastern Technical Associates (ETA)
Phone: 919-878-3188
ETA Website

Aeromet
Phone: 573-636-6393
Aeromet Website

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Bureau of Air - Emissions Inventory

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1. Who must submit an emissions inventory report?: All facilities that are required to apply for a Class I or Class II operating permit must submit an annual emissions inventory. See Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R.) 28-19-517 (Class I inventory and fee requirements) (PDF) and K.A.R. 28-19-546 (Class II inventory requirement) (PDF) for the regulations pertinent to your facility.

2. Who submits the emissions inventory report for a source that changed ownership?: See Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R.) 28-19-517(c)(3) (PDF) for more information.

3. Do I need to submit an emissions inventory if I did not operate in the previous calendar year?: Yes. If your facility did not operate in the previous calendar year and you want to keep your operating permit active, you must submit an annual emissions inventory.

4. Do I need to submit an emissions inventory if my facility shut down its operations in the previous calendar year?: Provided your facility continues to have an active operating permit you must submit an annual emissions inventory. If your facility shut down its operations and you wish to terminate your operating permit, you must notify the Bureau of Air in writing.

5. What if some of the information pertaining to my facility is confidential?: Confidential information can be labeled as such within the State and Local Emissions Inventory System (SLEIS) utilizing the CBI checkbox location on the Process tab under Process Emissions.

6. Is there a fee associated with my Class II Inventory?

There are currently no fees associated with inventory from Class II facilities unless the Class II emission thresholds have been exceeded.

Class II facilities will begin paying emission inventory fees for tons of criteria pollutants and hazardous air pollutants emitted beginning with the 2024 reporting year on inventory reports that will be due on April 1, 2025.

7. Who pays emissions inventory fees for a source that changed ownership?: See Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R.) 28-19-517(c)(3) (PDF).

8. If my facility doesn't operate all four quarters, why do the seasonal throughput percentages have to sum to 100%?

The sum of the seasonal throughput percentages represents the total amount of time you operated during the calendar year, not the percentage of your capacity that you operated. The sum of the percentages should always equal 100%. For example, if you burned 90 million cubic feet of natural gas from June to August, 10 million cubic feet of natural gas from September to November and no natural gas during the other quarters, you would enter:

0% for December to February
0% for March to May
90% for June to August
10% for September to November

9. Why are the months listed for Seasonal Operating Percentages December to February, March to May, June to August, and September to November instead of the typical quarterly segments?: December to February is to be December, January, and February of the same calendar year, which are not consecutive months. The four quarters are operating seasons and should equal 100%.

10. What should peaking plants enter for start time, hours/day, and days/week?: If these types of records are kept at your facility, determine the average hours/day, and days/week based on your operations during the peaking period. If you do not have this information, please provide your best estimate based on your knowledge of your process.

11. What pollutants must be reported?

All emissions of criteria pollutants and their precursor pollutants must be reported including carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), all forms of particulate matter (PM2.5-Filterable, PM10-Filterable, and PM-Condensable), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Emissions of ammonia (NH3) must also be reported.

All emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), as listed in Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R.) 28-19-201(a) (PDF), greater than 20 pounds (0.01 tons) per year (facility-wide) must be reported.

12. Are there activities that are exempt from the emissions inventory?

There are many activities that have the potential to produce minor emissions that are not required to be reported. Examples of activities that are exempt follow, but are not limited to:

Plant upkeep and maintenance:
- Painting
- Welding
- Plumbing
- Roof tarring
- Paving parking lots
- Clerical activities
- Maintenance shop activities
- Cleaning, etc.
Finishing operations: hand held equipment for any of the following processes for wood or plastic:
- Buffing
- Cutting
- Drilling
- Grinding
- Machining
- Polishing
- Sawing
- Turning
Residential activities: not including fuel burning equipment with a capacity of 500,000 British thermal units (BTU) per hour or greater or incinerators
Health care activities: activities and equipment directly associated with the diagnosis, care and treatment of patients in medical or veterinary facilities

Note: emissions that are a result of routine activities at the facility, even those that may be listed as Insignificant within an Operating Permit, are not exempt and are expected to be reported for annual emissions inventory purposes.

13. Am I required to report fugitive emissions at my facility?: Yes, fugitive emissions must be reported per Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R.) 28-19-517(a)(2)(B) (PDF).

14. Do emissions from light duty vehicles such as security vehicles need to be included in the calculation of fugitive emissions from haul roads?: Fugitive emissions include emissions from processes directly related to your operations. Only the vehicles hauling material need to be included in your calculation of haul road emissions. You do not need to include security vehicles or other light duty vehicles.

15. How do I report metals (or metalloids) hazardous air pollutants (HAP) such as chromium?

Please use only the mass of the of metal HAP component. The Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) numbers for the metal elements can be found in Appendix B (PDF). HAPs that contain metal components and shall be reported include:

Antimony
Arsenic
Beryllium
Cadmium
Chromium
Cobalt
Cyanide
Lead
Manganese
Mercury
Nickel
Selenium

Example:

A facility emits 100 pounds of strontium chromate
The atomic mass for strontium chromate is 204
The atomic mass of chromium is 52
The amount of chromium is 52 divided by 204 which is 25.5% of the total atomic mass of strontium chromate
Multiplying 100 pounds by the 0.255 yields 25.5 pounds of chromium
The 25.5 pounds divided by 2,000 pounds per ton is equal to 0.013 tons of chromium with the CAS number 7440473 as the reported pollutant code

16. Which compounds are considered volatile organic compounds (VOC)?

VOC include any compound of carbon that participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions, excluding:

Ammonium carbonate
Carbon dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbonic acid
Metallic carbides or carbonates

The compounds that KDHE has designated as having negligible photochemical reactivity are listed within Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R.) 28-19-201(b) (PDF). Emissions of these compounds do not have to be reported as a VOC, although some of these compounds are hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and must be reported as HAPs.

17. What compounds are considered glycol ethers?: Through the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided guidance on what compounds are included in the glycol ethers category; view the EPA's TRI Guidance Document (PDF), online. Chemicals listed in this document should be reported as glycol ethers.

18. How should facilities report emissions due to malfunctions or upsets?

Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R.) 28-19-210(f)(1) (PDF) specifies that all emissions during startup, shut down, control equipment malfunctions or by-passes or other periods of greater than normal emissions should be calculated as if the emissions unit was being operated without air emission control equipment unless a more accurate manner of calculating actual emissions is demonstrated by the owner or operator and approved by the department.

These emissions should be reported on the inventory along with the facility's other actual emissions for the calendar year using a unique process identifier for malfunctions or upsets.

19. What types of particulate matter must be reported?

All forms of Particulate Matter (PM) shall be reported. Particulate Matter (PM) is all finely divided solid or liquid material, other than uncombined water, emitted to the ambient air, inclusive of all particle sizes capable of being airborne:

PM10 is the portion of PM with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 micrometers
PM2.5 is the portion of PM that has an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers and is most health offensive
PM Condensable is material that is vapor phase at stack conditions, but which condenses and/or reacts upon cooling and dilution in the ambient air to form solid or liquid PM immediately after discharge from the stack
- All PM condensable is assumed to be in the PM2.5 size fraction
- All PM2.5 is also a part of the PM10 size fraction

All subsets of Particulate Matter (PM) shall be reported when applicable:

PM10-Filterable (PM10-FIL)
PM25-Filterable (PM25-FIL)
PM-Condensable (PM-CON)

20. Which Particulate Matter (PM) emission factor should I use?

The appropriate Particulate Matter (PM) emission factor to use will vary depending on what information is available for your particular process. Our current guidance is as follows:

If no PM-10 emission factor is available, use the total particulate emission factors to calculate PM-10 emissions.
If no information regarding PM-2.5 is available, you are not required to calculate a separate PM2.5 emissions value.
If no information regarding condensable PM (PM-CON) is available, you are not required to calculate a PM-CON emissions value.

Please note that KDHE requests only the filterable and condensable components of particulate matter, which is in turn used to calculate the primary component of particulate matter.

The following are examples of possible PM emissions calculation scenarios. If you need additional assistance with PM emission factors, please contact us.

Example 1

For an uncontrolled industrial boiler firing distillate oil, Table 1.3-6 in AP-42 lists the following PM-filterable emission factors:

PM-10: 1 pound per 1,000 gallons (gal) fuel
PM2.5: 0.25 pounds per 1,000 gal fuel

For an uncontrolled industrial boiler firing distillate oil, Table 1.3-2 in AP-42 lists the following PM-CON emission factor: 1.3 pounds per 1000 gal fuel.

In this case, the proper emission factors are:

PM10-FIL: 1 pounds per 1,000 gal fuel
PM2.5-FIL: 0.25 pounds per 1,000 gal fuel
PM-CON: 1.3 pounds per 1000 gal fuel

Example 2

For an uncontrolled natural gas fired boiler, Table 1.4-2 in AP-42 lists the following PM emission factors:

PM-CON: 5.7 pounds per 106 standard cubic feet (scf) fuel
PM-filterable: pounds per 106 scf fuel

A footnote states that all PM is assumed to be less than 1 micrometer in diameter, and, therefore, these factors can be used to calculate PM-10 or PM-2.5.

In this case, the proper emission factors are:

PM10-FIL: 1.9 pounds per 106 scf fuel
PM2.5-FIL: 1.9 pounds per 106 scf fuel
PM-CON: 5.7 pounds per 106 scf fuel

Example 3

For an uncontrolled preheated kiln in a cement manufacturing process, Table 11.6-2 in AP-42 lists a filterable total suspended particles (TSP) emission factor of 250 pounds per ton clinker produced. There is no information on PM-10 or PM-2.5 emissions or condensable particulate matter emissions. In this case, the filterable TSP emission factor would be used to calculate PM-10 and no PM-2.5 emissions would be calculated.

In this case, the proper emission factors are:

PM-10-FIL: 250 pounds per ton of clinker

21. Which emission factor should I use if different factors are listed for volatile organic compounds (VOC), total organic compounds (TOC), and non-methane TOC?: Use the emission factor for VOC.

22. Should stack height be measured from the ground or the top of the building?: Kansas air regulations define "stack height" as the distance from the ground level elevation at the base of the stack to the elevation of the stack outlet (see Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R.) 28-19-18b(c)).

23. Is there guidance on the acceptable accuracy of stack parameters?

We have not established a formal standard for accuracy due to the wide variety of types, locations and applications for the equipment in question. We request that actual measurements be conducted for information such as stack height and diameter if facility plans are not available due to the age of the emissions unit. For taller, inaccessible stacks, this may involve using an inclinometer and a rangefinder. Information such as flow rate and temperature can be taken from design plans, old stack tests, or estimated based on process knowledge.

We do not expect facilities to conduct stack tests to obtain this information.

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Bureau of Air - Monitoring & Planning

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1. What is the Bureau of Air Monitoring and Planning Section?

The Air Monitoring and Planning Section staff provides technical services and scientific data to the Bureau to maintain and improve Kansas air quality. Activities include administration of the air monitoring and modeling program and the emissions inventory program. Section staff also operates the air monitoring network, in cooperation with two local agencies, which provides air quality data from 20 sites around the state. The air monitoring data is analyzed to determine compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and to evaluate air quality trends.

Staff members also conduct an annual emissions inventory of pollutants emitted from permitted facilities and other sources for the entire state. Emissions inventory data is used to conduct air quality modeling. Modeling aids in understanding the causes of air pollution and to develop pollution reduction strategies in targeted areas. Pollution reduction strategies are incorporated into state implementation plans (SIP) to protect public health, welfare and the environment from the negative effects of air pollution.

2. What are the National Ambient Air Quality Standards?

The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) were established in the original Clean Air Act (CAA) and revised in 1990. NAAQS are standards set for each air pollutant anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. Pollutants in this category, termed criteria pollutants, include:

Carbon monoxide
Lead
Nitrogen dioxide
Ozone
Particulate matter
Sulfur dioxide

There are two types of air quality standards. The primary standard is designed to protect public health with an adequate safety margin. Permissible levels of each pollutant were chosen to protect the health of the most susceptible individuals in a population, including children, the elderly, and those with chronic respiratory illnesses. The secondary standard is designed to protect public welfare and ensure quality of life. Air quality conditions described by the secondary standard may be the same as the primary standard and are chosen to limit economic damage as well as harmful effects to buildings, plants, and animals. The Kansas Ambient Air Monitoring Network measures six criteria air pollutants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates the Air Quality Index (AQI) for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act (CAA):

Carbon monoxide
Ground-level ozone
Nitrogen oxides
Particulate matter (PM)
Sulfur dioxide

3. Where does air pollution come from in Kansas?

Sources of air pollution are divided up into four categories:

Point Sources
Non-Point Sources
On-Road Mobile Sources
Non-Road Mobile Sources

Point sources are large, stationary sources of emissions. Examples of point sources are natural gas compressor stations, petroleum refineries and grain processing or storage facilities. Non-Point sources are smaller, generally more numerous sources whose individual emissions do not qualify them as point sources. Although area sources release relatively small amounts of air pollutants on an individual basis, because of the numbers of these sources, their emissions as a whole are significant. Examples include household solvents and paints, motor vehicle refueling and residential fuel combustion.

On-Road Mobile Sources are sources of air pollution that are not stationary, and can typically be driven on a highway such as cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles. Non-Road Mobile Sources are also not stationary, but typically are not driven on highways. Examples of Non-Road Mobile Sources include lawnmowers, locomotives, and tractors.

4. What are the health effects of poor air quality?

There are many adverse health effects from elevated air pollutant levels, and both the symptoms and the severity of the effect can vary greatly from person to person. Some health effects of elevated air pollutant levels include difficulty breathing, chest pains, coughing, and headaches. People with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other upper respiratory illness are often more susceptible to adverse health effects caused by elevated air pollutant levels.

Determining the quality of the air on a daily basis is difficult for the average person. To help the public understand the quality of the air the Environmental Protection Agency created the Air Quality Index (AQI).

5. How do I find out the air quality in Kansas?: Similar to the weather in Kansas, the quality of the air can change from day to day. In order to help citizens understand the quality of the air on a day to day basis, the KDHE provides real-time monitoring data from the Kansas Air Quality Monitoring Network. This monitoring data is used by the Environmental Protection Agency to calculate the Air Quality Index for areas with population of 350,000 people or more as required by federal law. Knowing the local air quality forecast is especially important to people with respiratory illnesses.

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Bureau of Health Promotion - Arthritis

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1. Why is physical activity important for people with arthritis?: If you have arthritis, taking part in physical activity can improve your pain, function, mood and quality of life. Joint-friendly physical activities are low-impact, which means they put less stress on the body, reducing the risk of injury. Examples of joint-friendly activities include walking, biking, and swimming. It can also help you manage other chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

2. What should I know or do before I start exercising?

Before beginning any exercise, you should first talk with your doctor. You should seek answers to these questions:

What type of arthritis do you have? Your type of arthritis will help you and your doctor know what type of physical activity will benefit you the most.
What is your level of pain? Your pain level will help you and your doctor know what frequency and intensity will benefit you the most.
What other medical conditions do you have? Your other medical conditions will help you and your doctor know what other limitations you might have with physical activity.

3. How much exercise do I need?: Stay as active as your health allows, always talk with your doctor and be mindful of your symptoms. Remember, some physical activity is better than none.

4. How do I exercise safely with arthritis?: When you are physically active, it is important to listen to your body. Start slow, consider how you are feeling, and adjust your activity levels on days when your arthritis symptoms flare up. Use the talk test to see your activity level. See if you can talk through your activity; if so this is a low to moderate level activity. If you cannot hold a conversation, you are engaging in vigorous activity. If you are not sure where to start, or are looking for a little extra support, talk to your doctor or call or visit your local parks and recreation department and ask about the types of activities that fit your needs.

5. What do I do if I have pain during or after exercise?

With arthritis it is normal to have some pain, stiffness and swelling after exercise. It may take several weeks for your body to get used to your new physical activity level, sticking with it will result in long-term relief. Other tips if you have pain include:

Make sure you are wearing shoes that fit well and are comfortable
Try a different type of exercise
Warm up and cool down before you exercise

6. What types of activities should I do?

There are many great ways to get active. Talk to your doctor about physical activity and what might be right for you! Some examples include:

Aerobic activity: Low-impact aerobic activity - like walking, swimming, and biking - minimize the wear and tear of your joints
Flexibility training: Help increase your range-of-motion by participating in activities that improve your flexibility, like stretching and yoga
Strengthening activities: Try activities like yoga, weight training, or working with resistance bands to strengthen your muscles, which can help protect your joints
Balance exercises: These include things like walking backwards, standing on one foot

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Bureau of Health Promotion - BRFSS

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1. Who can participate?

non-institutionalized adults
18 years and older
living in private residence or college housing

2. How do you get my phone number?: We receive a set of computer-generated random phone numbers with Kansas-specific area codes. These are produced from all working phone numbers, both listed and unlisted.

3. I am on the "Do Not Call" list. Why am I still getting calls?: The "Do Not Call" list is for companies trying to market or sell products to the public. We are calling to do a health survey and are not trying to sell you anything.

4. How do I know I am taking part in a legitimate survey?

We call from phone numbers starting with 785-296, 785-291 or 785-368.
We do not ask for your name or address.
You can review past survey questions here.

Still have questions, you may can call and speak to a Survey Supervisor at 1-866-445-1429.

5. How long does the survey take?: The survey usually takes about 20 minutes, but it can depend on how you answer each question. If it gets too long or you need a break, we can schedule a call back time.

6. Who is doing the interview?: We supervise interviewers at our location who administer surveys, ensuring quality control, confidentiality and the collection of high-quality data.

7. What will I be asked?: Previous survey questions can be read here. Data is collected for more than 40 characteristics that describe health.

8. Will my information be kept confidential?: Yes, it will be kept confidential.

9. Who sees the information I share?: The survey is completely anonymous, and we combine your answers with everyone else's. This means that your data can never be tracked back to you. Additionally, those that analyze and use the data are never able to see individual responses.

10. Will services I receive from the state be affected by my taking part in the survey?: No. Services you receive from the State of Kansas will not be affected by your taking part in the survey. In fact, no one will know you took the survey unless you tell them.

11. Why do you need my information when I am healthy?: Our questions help determine potential health problems for certain health conditions. So, it is important that people in good or excellent health as well as those in poor health have a chance to answer questions.

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Bureau of Health Promotion - BRFSS Part 2

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1. What are the components of the BRFSS questionnaire?: Text.

2. Where do I see questions asked on a previous BRFSS questionnaire?: Text

3. How are new questions added to the BRFSS?: Text.

4. Who can add questions to the BRFSS?: Text

5. How much does it cost to add a question to the BRFSS questionnaire?: Text

6. When does the BRFSS data get published?: Text.

7. How do I request data from the BRFSS?: Text.

8. Where can I find the most recent Annual BRFSS Report?: Text,

9. I have other questions, whom should I ask?: Text.

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Bureau of Health Promotion - Diabetes

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1. What is diabetes?

Diabetes Diagram showing locked cells with insulin as a key and sugar glucose on the outside Diabetes is a long-lasting disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into sugar that then goes to your bloodstream. Then your body produces insulin that acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your body's cells. When sugar cannot enter cells, this means:

Too much glucose (blood sugar) collects in the blood
The body's cells cannot use it for energy

If diabetes is not managed appropriately it can lead to health complications (heart attack, stroke, vision loss, kidney disease and limb amputations) or even death. In 2018, 1 in 9 (11.6%) of Kansas adults reported ever being diagnosed with diabetes. That is more than 250,000 Kansans.

2. What is prediabetes?: It means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is really a wake-up call to turn things around, get healthier, and not get type 2 diabetes down the road.

3. What is type 2 diabetes?

There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant). Type 2 diabetes happens when your body does not make or use insulin well and cannot keep blood sugar at normal levels. Some quick facts about type 2 diabetes include:

It can develop at any age
Most cases can be prevented
Is on the rise due to increased obesity
There is no cure, but it can be managed by losing weight, eating well and exercising
Some people may also need diabetes medications or insulin therapy

4. Who is at risk?: Since 1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes, the bottom line is that millions are at risk. If you have a family history of diabetes, are overweight and are not physically active on a regular basis, are over age 45 or are African-American or Hispanic, you have a greater chance of developing prediabetes. Could you have prediabetes? Visit the Centers for Disease Control website to Take a Prediabetes Test.

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Bureau of Health Promotion - Early Detection Works

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1. Unsure if you are eligible?: Are you younger than 21 for cervical or younger than 40 for breast health concerns? Call 877-277-1368 to ask about eligibility or find out what resources may be available.

2. What if something is found?: If a screening test shows a problem, Early Detection Works will pay for most follow-up tests to find out if you have cancer or a pre-cancerous condition. The health care provider will work with you to make follow-up appointments.

3. What if you need treatment?: Women who are Kansas residents and diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program may be eligible for referral to KanCare (Kansas Medicaid). Other treatment options may be available for women not eligible for KanCare.

4. Do you have other Early Detection Works questions?: If you have more questions, please call 877-277-1368.

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Bureau of Health Promotion - Palliative Care

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1. What is palliative care?: Palliative care is patient and family-centered care that improves the quality of life for those who face a serious, potentially life-limiting condition by addressing the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual needs throughout the illness.

2. Why is palliative care important?

Palliative care can provide patients relief from symptoms like pain, anxiety, shortness of breath, fatigue and other challenges that are the result of a chronic or serious condition, and the treatments for that condition.

Palliative care supports the patient, and their families.

3. Who is palliative care for?

Palliative care can be provided at any age to someone who has a serious, potentially life-limiting condition. As with adult patients, pediatric and neonatal palliative care can improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Serious, potentially life-limiting conditions can include:

Alzheimer's Disease
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Cancer
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Genetic disorders
Heart and lung conditions
HIV/AIDS
Kidney and Liver Disease
Lupus
Multiple Sclerosis
Neurologic disorders
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Parkinson's Disease
Stroke

4. How do I know if palliative care is what I need?

You may want to consider palliative care if you or your loved one:

Suffers from pain or other symptoms due to a serious illness.
Has physical or emotional pain that is not under control.
Needs help understanding their illness and discussing treatment.

You may also consider your answers to 5 Questions (PDF). Then make an appointment to talk with your healthcare provider about the desire for you or your loved one to receive palliative care.

5. Why should I get palliative care?: A primary goal is to reduce the symptoms and stress of living with your condition. The overall goal is to improve quality of life, which means helping the patient live their life to the fullest they are able.

6. When is the right time for palliative care?

It is never too early to start palliative care. In fact, palliative care occurs at the same time as all other treatments for your illness and does not depend upon the course of your disease. Palliative Care planning does not have to take long or be difficult. Consider the following questions when planning:

What do I understand about my illness and treatment?
What resources and programs are available to provide me or my family support?
What are the most important goals of treatment now and in the future?

7. Where do I go for palliative care?

The availability of palliative care in Kansas varies by community. Hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing facilities and even your home can be locations to receive palliative care.

If you think you or your loved one could benefit from palliative care, speak with your health care provider, get connected through the Kansas Aging and Disability Resource Center or use your zip code with a Palliative Care Provider Directory.

8. Who pays for palliative care?: Insurance such as Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurers will cover appointments with related co-payments and deductibles. Call your insurance company to see what they cover.

9. Who will give palliative care to me or my loved one?

Palliative care is provided by a team of professionals, including physicians and nursing specialists, social workers, pharmacists, nutritionists, religious or spiritual advisors and others. The team works together to offer:

Patients and their families with tools to manage pain, symptoms and stress.
An extra layer of support to families and patients.
A partnership between patient and family with other medical specialists.
A focus on the needs of the patient, not the patient's prognosis.
The best quality of life for patients and their families.

10. What is the difference between palliative care and hospice care?: Both types of care focus on improving quality of life of patient and family through symptom and supportive care. Hospice care is at the end-stage of an illness. Palliative care is available at any stage of a disease. Key differences are explained in our Hospice Versus Palliative Care Flyer (PDF).

11. Still have questions about palliative care?: Other common palliative care questions are answered in the following 10 Must-Know Truths (PDF).

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Bureau of Waste Management - Calendar Contest

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1. How are the winners determined?: A committee will sort through art for each grade level until they come to a unanimous decision on the top five pieces of art. The artwork is then sent out in a survey to all KDHE employees. These votes will determine the winners.

2. Why doesn't the public get to vote?: Since we accept artwork from all over the state, school size varies greatly. By keeping voting internally, we can keep voting fair and not have a large school outvote a smaller one.

3. Will my students get their art back?: No. Unfortunately, we receive hundreds of submissions for each grade level. Getting everyone's artwork back to the right person would be very difficult. We recommend you make copies of your student's artwork before you send it in.

4. What kind of medium can the artist use?: Artist's choice! Colored pencil, crayon, paint, charcoal; we have seen it all.

5. How will we know who won?: The teacher of the winning student will be contacted by email. Winners will also be announced on the Keep It Clean Kansas Facebook and Instagram pages.

6. Will there be a party for the winners this year?: Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we will not be having a party. We are sad that we won't celebrate the winners in person, but everyone's safety is a top priority. We will be using the funds generally spent on the party to award each of the winners a gift card.

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Chemical Contaminants

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1. My sample paperwork says to collect on a Sunday. Is this required?: No. KHEL's database date stamps all sample paperwork with a Sunday collection date because it identifies Sunday as the first day of the week. The lab is suggesting you collect within the week following the Sunday date, not the Sunday itself. Please collect all samples as soon as you can and return them as instructed.

2. Where do I collect samples required under the Phase II/V Rules?: Excluding asbestos, all samples required under the Phase II/V Rules are collected from each point-of-entry to the distribution system, commonly referred to as a POE. The POE is a location after which raw water has been treated but before treated water has entered the distribution system. Each POE sample location should be marked by a metal tag stamped with an eight-digit identification number. The sample paperwork you receive from the lab will always specify the collection site.

3. What is the MCL for nitrate?: The nitrate MCL is different for community and non-community water systems. The MCL for community systems is 10 mg/L but for non-community systems is 20 mg/L. Non-community systems with a nitrate level above 10 mg/L are required to post public notice, but they do not incur a violation unless they exceed 20 mg/L.

4. My water system received a notice of violation letter. What do I do now?: You must notify your customers of the violation by distributing public notice. The envelope containing your notice of violation letter also contained the forms you need to fulfill this requirement. The paperwork you received includes a public notice template with some mandatory information already filled in for you, and a Certificate of Delivery. The public notice must be distributed as described in your letter. After you issue the notice, the Certificate of Delivery and a copy of the notice you distributed must be sent to KDHE within ten days.

5. Can you send me a copy of my sample results?: No. The Public Water Supply Section does not have access to KHEL reports. If you would like to request a copy of your sample results, please contact the lab at 785-296-1620.

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Child Care Licensing Complaint Process

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1. What happens after a complaint is received for a licensed child care facility?

The surveyor will begin the initial investigation review within 5 days of receipt of the complaint.
There will be an unannounced onsite visit to the child care facility, this may or may not occur within 5 days of receiving the complaint.
The surveyor will provide the reason for the visit but will not reveal the identity of the person(s) submitting the complaint.
A walkthrough of the entire child care facility will be conducted by the surveyor to observe the environment, staff, and the children in care.
If the complaint involves concerns about the environment, the surveyor may take pictures.
Files for children and adults will be reviewed. Contact information from files may be obtained to gather information from parents and staff.
Findings of non-compliance will be documented on a Notice of Survey Findings (NOSF) form and will be available to the public on the online dissemination portal once the complaint has been completed by the surveyor and reviewed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment staff.

2. What if another agency is involved?

The nature of the concern determines if another agency such as the Department for Children and Families (DCF), law enforcement, fire marshal, or food program may be involved in an investigation. For example, if a child care complaint includes concerns of abuse, neglect, or lack of supervision, a DCF social worker may accompany the surveyor.

When a surveyor is conducting an investigation with another agency, each agency will conduct its own investigation and document its own findings. Even though other agencies involved may have no findings, there may be noncompliance cited by the surveyor. Other agency results must be requested from that agency.

3. What happens if complaint is concluded unsubstantiated?: If a complaint is unsubstantiated the complaint displayed through the Online Dissemination System will indicate - unsubstantiated. If noncompliance was found unrelated to the complaint, those findings are available online.

4. What happens if complaint is concluded substantiated?

If the complaint is substantiated:

The provider is required to correct all findings within five calendar days of the survey.
The surveyor may return to the facility unannounced to verify compliance.
If serious or repeat findings are found, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) may consider denial of an application, civil penalty, suspension of a permit or license, or revocation of a license. The licensee has the right to appeal these actions.
If findings from a visit reveal that children need to be protected from abuse, abandonment, or any other substantial threat to their health or safety, KDHE may issue an Emergency Suspension. Although subject to appeal, an Emergency Suspension results in immediate closure.

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Consumer Confidence Report

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1. How often and when is the CCR required to be distributed to our customers?: Reports of the provisions year’s information are required every year from community water supply systems. A copy of what was distributed/made available to the customers and the completed Certificate of Delivery is due to KDHE by July 1st of each year.

2. How long is a PWSS required to maintain copies of their CCR?: Three years is how long the Public Water Supply Section is required to maintain copies of their Consumer Confidence Report.

3. When will the information be available that we need to complete our reports for the past year?: Mid-March of each year, KDHE prepares the CCR for all community water supply systems and mails them out to the Administrative Contact listed for each water supply system.

4. What if I lose my Certificate of Delivery?: Please complete the Blank Certificate of Delivery (DOC).

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Health Risks Associated with Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

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1. Can HABs cause illness in animals?

Yes. State veterinarians have confirmed several cases of dog deaths due to harmful algal bloom toxins within the state of Kansas. When a HAB is present, pets should not be allowed near the shore where decaying algae may be visible. Ingesting enough toxin, either through drinking the water, licking the affected water or algae from their fur or paws, or eating the decaying algae, could lead to illness or death. Horses and cattle are also very susceptible to toxins due to the quantity of water they consume, and they should not drink water from ponds or lakes with a blue-green algae bloom. Pets and livestock should not be allowed in or near ponds or lakes with a blue-green algae bloom.

If a bloom is suspected, take the following precautions for your livestock and animals:

Train dogs to come to you for a drink of water and, carry potable water for your dogs when out hunting or going for walks along the shoreline.
Don't let your dog(s) retrieve waterfowl swimming in a waterbody affected by a HAB.
Move livestock to an alternate source of water.

2. What should I do if I accidentally get water from a HAB on my skin?: Remove jewelry, watches, clothing, and other items that are in contact with the skin, and wash them thoroughly. Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. Wash exposed clothing, keeping it separate from non-affected clothing. If rashes or other symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.

3. What if I or my pets get ill and suspect it was from exposure to a HAB?

Please consult your physician or veterinarian immediately. Let them know exactly when, where, and how the suspected or known exposure occurred, and ask them to review symptoms. There are no antidotes to algal toxins, but there may be treatment options. Physicians and veterinarians are asked to report all human and animal harmful algae-related illnesses to KDHE, but members of the public may do so as well. The KDHE Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics (BEPHI) investigates reports of illness from blue-green algae bloom exposure. If an illness complaint states that exposure occurred at a Kansas body of water that has not been sampled for HABs, BEPHI completes a blue-green algae bloom investigation request for the lake.

Illness reports can be submitted at:

4. Is it safe to go fishing and eat the fish I catch?: Where a HAB is present, avoid coming into contact with lake water as much as possible. Rinse fish with potable water prior to cleaning. Discard entrails and other body parts, and consume only the fillet portion. There have been some studies indicating that consumption of fish from lakes with high toxin levels should be limited, even if the consumption is of fillet only. In the case where a lake is posted as "Closed," fishing should not be allowed on the waterbody.

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Info for Private Waterbody Owners

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1. How are private & public water bodies defined?

As defined in the KDHE Agency Response Plan:

"a private water body is any freshwater reservoir or pond that is both located on and completely bordered by the land under common private ownership or is not accessible to the general public (i.e., access by the general public is controlled or restricted in some manner. "

Lakes that are a part of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, Tourism Walk-In Fishing Access, and Walk-in Hunting Access Program will be treated as public waters when these lakes are open to the public and could be included in HAB response during the HAB season (April 1st to October 31st).

2. I have a farm pond or own property adjacent to a private lake. Can KDHE sample & test it?: KDHE does not sample or provide laboratory analysis for private ponds. See our "How do I recognize an algal bloom?" page, which includes photos along with instructions on conducting a Jar Test (PDF) for a preliminary determination of whether a HAB may be present. Water samples for blue-green algae identification can be submitted to a private laboratory or the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. For more information, please contact KSVDL Client Care at 866-512-5650 or visit their website.

3. I believe that one of my animals got sick or died from exposure to blue-green algae on a privately-owned waterbody. Whom do I contact?: Contact your local veterinarian, county extension agent, or the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for help with this issue. Veterinarians or members of the public can complete the secure online form to notify KDHE of a potential pet or livestock illness from HABs. Animal illness reports can be submitted to the KDHE Bureau of Epidemiology. As KDHE does not test private waters for blue-green algae blooms, you will need to go through a private laboratory or the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory if you wish to sample the waterbody in question.

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Institutional Review Board

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1. Does my project need Kansas Department of Health Environment (KDHE) Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval?

If your project is considered research and it uses information from human subjects, it should be reviewed by an IRB. If your research uses data from KDHE collected on human subjects or is funded in any part by KDHE and involves human subjects, then it should be reviewed by the KDHE IRB.

Does My Project Require Approval Outline

2. What types of activities do not need IRB approval?

Scholarly and journalistic activities (e.g., oral history, journalism, biography, literary criticism, legal research, and historical scholarship), including the collection and use of information, that focus directly on the specific individuals about whom the information is collected.
Public health surveillance activities, including the collection and testing of information or biospecimens, are conducted, supported, requested, ordered, required, or authorized by a public health authority. The activity needs to be conducted by a public health authority to meet this criterion. Such activities are limited to those necessary to allow a public health authority to identify, monitor, assess, or investigate potential public health signals, onsets of disease outbreaks, or conditions of public health importance (including trends, signals, risk factors, patterns in diseases, or increases in injuries from using consumer products). Such activities include those associated with providing timely situational awareness and priority setting during the course of an event or crisis that threatens public health (including natural or man-made disasters).
- It should be noted that the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) projects, while considered public health surveillance, do require KDHE IRB approval. Per K.S.A 65-2422d(d) KDHE shall permit the use of data contained in vital statistical records for research purposes only, but no identifying use of them shall be made. KDHE shall permit the use of birth, death, and stillbirth certificates as identifiable data for purposes of maternal and child health surveillance and monitoring only with approval from the KDHE IRB.
Collection and analysis of information, biospecimens, or records by or for a criminal justice agency for activities authorized by law or court order solely for criminal justice or criminal investigative purposes.
Authorized operational activities (as determined by each agency) in support of intelligence, homeland security, defense, or other national security missions.

3. What paperwork do I need to submit for IRB review?

New Project Request Form (PDF)
Copy of a previous IRB approval letter for the same project, if applicable
A copy of the consent form. If the consent form has changed from a previous study administration, please track changes so that the committee can easily see any updates.
- Please note that under the revised 2018 Common Rule, part of 45 CFR 46, the requirements for informed consent have changed. The intent of these changes is to facilitate the subjects' understanding of the proposed research and ensure that they understand how their data and biospecimens may be used.
A copy of the protocol. If the protocol has changed from a previous study administration, please track changes so the committee can easily see any updates. The protocol should outline how the survey will be administered (paper, online, etc), who will be taking the survey, data security procedures including where the completed surveys will be kept until data entry is completed and how long all surveys will be kept before they are destroyed.
A copy of the survey questions. If the survey instrument has changed from a previous administration, please track changes so the committee can easily see updates.
Human subjects research certification for the principal investigator and any co-principal investigators.
Resume or CV for the principal investigator and any co-principal investigators. Resumes should contain sufficient detail so that the committee is assured that researchers are qualified to conduct the requested research.

4. When and where are KDHE IRB meetings held?: The KDHE IRB meets quarterly in Topeka, Kansas. Please email the IRB Chairperson for the date and time of the next meeting. Each project that needs full review by the KDHE IRB must submit required paperwork no less than two weeks before a scheduled IRB meeting. A representative from the project should also plan to attend the quarterly meeting to give a brief overview of the project and answer any questions. If travel to Topeka presents an undue burden, please contact the IRB Chairperson.

5. Who participates in the Kansas Department of Health Environment (KDHE) Institutional Review Board (IRB)?: The KDHE IRB has at least five members of varying backgrounds in order to provide a complete and adequate review of human research and its institutional, legal, scientific, and social implications. The Board also includes at least one member who is not affiliated with KDHE and one member who is not a scientist.

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Interim Enhanced & LT 1 ESWTR

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1. What is the new turbidity (NTU) requirement under the IESWTR and LT1 ESWTR?

0.3 NTU (95% of monthly measurements)
1 NTU (maximum)

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Kansas Environmental Epidemiology

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1. Where does this data come from, and how was this data retrieved?

PM₁₀

Kansas Ambient Air Quality summary data for PM10 were collected by utilizing the query tool in AQS Discoverer Web. Only sites with annual data completeness greater than or equal to 75% were included in this summary. For counties with more than one monitor, the displayed results for each monitor in that particular county appear in the graphs as dashed lines, with the average concentration for the county displayed as a solid line.

PM_2.5

Kansas Ambient Air Quality summary data for PM2.5 were collected by utilizing the Standard Report Criteria Selection tool in AQS. AMP 450 was the report generated to produce the data used for this summary. Only sites with annual data completeness greater than or equal to 75% were included in this summary. For counties with more than one monitor, the displayed results for each monitor in that particular county appear in the graphs as dashed lines, with the average concentration for the county displayed as a solid line.

Ozone (O₃)

Kansas Ambient Air Quality summary data for O3 were collected by utilizing the AIR Explorer website. Data for ozone season in Kansas were analyzed, which runs from April 1 through October 31 each year. Only sites with ozone season data completeness greater than or equal to 75% were included in this summary. Data completeness was determined by viewing the Monitor Values Report produced by the AirData website. For counties with more than one monitor, the displayed results for each monitor in that particular county appear in the graphs as dashed lines, with the average concentration for the county displayed as a solid line.

Sources

AIR Explorer

Air Explorer is a collection of user-friendly visualization tools for air quality analysts. The tools generate maps, graphs, and data tables dynamically. Currently, the tools access ambient concentration data from EPA's Air Quality System (AQS). View the EPA Air Data webpage.

AQS Discoverer Web

Discoverer is a business intelligence tool from Oracle Corporation for retrieving data from relational databases (i.e., an ad hoc query tool.) Discoverer is available to all registered AQS users. View the EPA Air Quality System webpage.

Air Quality System (AQS)

The Air Quality System (AQS) is EPA's repository of ambient air quality data. AQS stores data from over 10,000 monitors; 5000 of which are currently active. As discussed in more detail elsewhere, State, Local and Tribal agencies collect the data and submit it to AQS on a periodic basis. This area is primarily intended for direct users of AQS, i.e., those in the state, local and tribal agencies, and within EPA who load data into the AQS database or use data from this database for analysis. View the EPA Air Quality System webpage.

AirData

The AirData website gives you access to yearly summaries of United States air pollution data, taken from EPA's air pollution databases. The data include all fifty states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. AirData has information about where air pollution comes from (emissions) and how much pollution is in the air outside our homes and workplaces (monitoring). View the AQS Data Mart webpage.

Occupational & Environmental Health Epidemiology

Surveillance indicators allow a state to compare its health or risk status with that of other states, evaluate trends over time within the state, and helps guide priorities for prevention and intervention efforts. This document presents 20 occupational health indicators that provide information about the health status of the working population in Kansas with respect to workplace injuries and illnesses. The data are from 2009, the most recent data available. Data from subsequent years will be added as it becomes available.

Read through the Occupational Health Indicators in Kansas (PDF).

2. What are the health effects of poor air quality?

Symptoms and the severity of the effect of poor air quality can vary greatly from person to person. Some health effects of poor air quality include difficulty breathing, chest pains, coughing, and headaches. People with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other upper respiratory illness are often more susceptible to adverse health effects caused by poor air quality. Determining the quality of the air on a daily basis is difficult for the average person. To help the public understand the quality of the air the Environmental Protection Agency created the Air Quality Index (AQI). To access information for Kansas, go to the AirNow website.

Particulate Matter (PM) is a broad classification of non-gaseous pollutants that consist of very fine solid particles and liquid droplets or aerosols. Examples of these solid particles can include dust, dirt, soot, and particles in smoke. Some particles are directly emitted into the air from sources such as vehicles, factories, construction sites, tilled fields, unpaved roads, stone crushing, and burning of wood. Other particles may be formed in the air when gases from burning fuels react with sunlight and water vapor such as fuel combustion in motor vehicles or at power plants. Particles can be suspended in the air for long periods of time and vary in size.

PM causes a wide variety of health and environmental issues. Health issues include aggravated asthma; respiratory symptoms such as coughing and difficult breathing; chronic bronchitis; decreased lung function and premature death. Elevated PM concentrations result in increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits for people with heart and lung disease. Health problems for sensitive people increase if they are exposed to high levels of PM for several days in a row.

Ground-level ozone triggers a variety of health problems including asthma attacks, reduced lung capacity, and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis. Ozone can cause permanent lung damage after long-term exposure. Ozone can irritate lung airways and cause inflammation. Other symptoms include wheezing, coughing, pain when taking a deep breath, and breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. People with respiratory problems are most vulnerable to elevated ozone levels.

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Kansas Environmental Information Management System (KEIMS)

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1. What is KEIMS?

The Kansas Environmental Information Management System (KEIMS) is the new online data management system built to improve communication, enable sharing of site information, and increase the ease and accessibility of business conducted between various regulatory programs within KDHE and the regulated community. KEIMS can be accessed by both internal users (state employees) and external users (site owners, consultants, etc.) to create and manage applications, submissions, and even payments.

This combining of multiple databases in the Division of Environment will create efficiencies to benefit state employees, the regulated communities, and the public.

2. Who can be a KEIMS user?

Anyone who is regulated or involved with the KDHE regulatory oversight of environmental sites in Kansas. This includes, but is not limited to:

Permittees
Property owners
Consultants
Contractors
Operators
Tank owners
Businesses
Facility operators
Entities receiving grant funding
Entities receiving technical assistance, etc.

3. What will be available in KEIMS?

After creating a KEIMS account, you will be able to submit, review, and revise a variety of documents pertaining to your site(s) including:

Applications
Permits
Registrations
Renewal forms
Reports

You will also be able to make and track payments for fees and invoices.

4. How do I get to KEIMS?: Simply visit the KEIMS website.

5. How do I get help with KEIMS?

Call 785-296-1123 to be directed to the Bureau and program that you need or use the following directory:

Air webpage | email
Field Services is coming soon
Remediation webpage | email
Waste Management debuts in 2023
Water webpage | email

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Kansas Syndromic Surveillance Program

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1. What is syndromic surveillance?: Syndromic surveillance is a strategy used by public health for early event detection and to monitor the health of the community. It uses information, such as chief complaints from people seeking acute care, to identify emerging trends of public health concern. The data are grouped into syndromes based on the patient's symptoms, and statistical algorithms are run to identify unusual temporal and geographic patterns that might indicate situations of concern.

2. What is NSSP?: NSSP stands for the Center for Disease Control's National Syndromic Surveillance Program. Read the NSSP fact sheet from the CDC.

3. Where can I find out more about syndromic surveillance?: Find NSSP information on the CDC website.

4. Where can I find more information on other states and best practices for syndromic surveillance?: Links to other states sites can be found on the NSSP Community of Practice website.

5. How do I get access to ESSENCE or KSSP data?: Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics (ESSENCE) and Kansas Syndromic Surveillance Program (KSSP) data can be accessed by contacting KSSP and completing a data request form or Data Use Agreement. Please email KSSP.

6. Who do I contact for ESSENCE troubleshooting?

For Kansas-specific problems, please email us.
Please visit the NSSP syndromic surveillance help desk website.

7. Is the data identifiable?: NSSP data and data accessed through ESSENCE is fully de-identified. There is no personally-identifying information.

8. How do I get information on Meaningful Use?: Information on Meaningful Use and links to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) documentation are available on the KDHE Kansas Promoting Interoperability page.

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KDHEs HABs Response Program

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1. Who is involved in HAB monitoring and tracking for KDHE?

KKDHE operates a statewide, complaint-based response program. Any member of the public can submit a complaint. In response to each report of a harmful algal bloom in a publicly accessible waterbody, the KDHE Bureau of Water (BOW) works with the Bureau of Environmental Field Services (BEFS) to coordinate an investigation that includes field validation of the complaint, followed by water sample collection and analysis. An outline of the agency's response program can be found here. The response program coordinates closely with the Public Water Supply Section (PWSS) when there are HAB complaints about water bodies that serve as a source for public water supplies.

In addition to receiving and investigating complaints of blue-green algae blooms in public water bodies, KDHE also tracks and investigates reports of human and animal algae-related illnesses. The KDHE Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics (BEPHI) receives these reports; click here for more information from BEPHI.

2. How does KDHE respond to HABs in recreational waters?

KDHE has historically responded to HAB issues in Kansas lakes. Due to the increase in notable HAB occurrences, the agency began formalizing a complaint-based response program in 2010. Once a complaint has been validated through field observations, a sample is collected. The sample is examined for the presence of blue-green algae and tested for toxins.

A standard protocol is followed to determine whether public advisories should be issued and to decide the next course of action for monitoring the affected water body. The current HAB season extends from April to October when lakes are most likely to be affected by HABs and members of the public are most likely to recreate in waterbodies.

If a HAB is confirmed in a public water body, KDHE issues advisories works with lake managers to inform the public, and continues to monitor the waterbody until the bloom has subsided.

The KDHE protocols can be found in the "Harmful Algal Bloom KDHE Agency Response Plan."

3. Do KDHE close lakes with blue-green algae?: No, KDHE does not have the authority to close a lake. However, KDHE does make public health recommendations and advisories based on analytical results. The lake management officials determine whether and when to actually close lakes or beaches. If there are questions about whether a lake is closed, look at the current watch/warnings tab on this website, consult individual lake websites, or call lake management offices for additional information.

4. How does KDHE decide what lakes to sample?: Due to limited resources, KDHE samples only public use lakes and does so only in response to complaints of human or animal illness or visual sighting of possible blue-green algae by the public or by lake managers. For KDHE to respond to a blue-green algae sighting, a request must be made through the online Algae Bloom Reporting Form. Alternative reporting options include sending an email or calling the HAB hotline at 785-296-1664. Individuals who use these alternative options should expect a time delay, as staff must manually transfer email or phone complaints into the online reporting system.

5. How does KDHE decide what level of advisory to recommend?: From recommendations by the World Health Organization and many years of data and statistical analyses, KDHE has established the following recommendations for three advisory levels: Watch, Warning, and Hazard. However, Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may move across a lake due to wind or other hydrologic processes, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is a surface scum or paint-like surface, or if the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Remember, "When in doubt - stay out!"

6. What are the guidelines for use of a waterbody for each level of the advisory?

Public Health Watch

Harmful algal bloom (HAB) Watch serves as an advisory to notify the public that hazardous conditions are possible or present. A Watch is issued based on visual confirmation of a bloom, microcystin toxin concentrations, and/or blue-green algae cell counts. Visual confirmation is determined by qualified KDHE staff working with lake managers and/or managing agencies using jar tests, photographs, or site visits. A Watch is issued if it has been analytically determined that the microcystin toxin concentration in the water is greater than 4 µg/L but less than or equal to 8 µg/L and/or blue-green algae cell counts are greater than 80,000 cells/mL but less than or equal to 250,000 cells/mL.

The following guidelines are recommended for a public health watch:

Harmful algae are possible and may be present
Signage will be posted at all public access locations
Water may be unsafe for humans/animals
Avoid areas of algae accumulation, and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water
Swimming, wading, skiing, and jet skiing are discouraged near-visible blooms
Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.
Clean fish well with potable water, and eat fillet portions only

Public Health Warning

Harmful algal bloom (HAB) Warning serves as an advisory to notify the public that conditions are expected to be unsafe for human exposure. A warning will be issued if it has been analytically determined that the microcystin toxin concentrations are greater than 8 µg/L but less than or equal to 2,000 µg/L and/or blue-green algae cell counts are greater than 250,000 cells/mL but less than or equal to 10,000,000 cells/mL. If there is verification of significant blue-green algae surfaces scum present, a "Warning" may be issued based on visual confirmation prior to sample collection.

The following guidelines are recommended for a public health warning:

Harmful algae are expected or present
All of the recommendations of the Public Health Watch remain in effect, with the following addition:
All contact with water, including fishing and boating, should be avoided

Public Health Hazard

Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Lake/Beach Closure notifies the public that extreme conditions exist. At this level, it has been analytically determined that the microcystin toxin concentration is greater than 2,000 µg/L and/or cyanobacterial cell count is greater than 10,000,000 cells/mL. It is recommended that either a portion of the lake, entire lake, or zone, be closed and in some cases, the adjacent land (e.g., approximately 100 feet from the shoreline) be closed to the public. Actual setback distances will be determined on a site-specific basis, if necessary. When partial closures (i.e., beach or cove) are issued, the remaining lake or zone area will carry a warning status.

Harmful algae are present and extreme conditions exist
All of the recommendations of the Public Health Watch and Warning remain in effect, with the following addition:
Is recommended that either portion of the lake, the entire lake, or zone, be closed. If necessary - close adjacent land up to 100 ft from the shoreline.

7. Where can I get current information about lake advisories?: Check the KDHE website for the most up-to-date information about public health watches and warnings at Kansas public lakes, or call the Harmful Algae Bloom Hotline at 785-296-1664. Advisories are posted on the KDHE Harmful Algal Bloom Website. Lake managers are responsible for posting signs at beaches, docks, and other lake entry points to notify citizens of harmful algae to bloom advisories. Contact local lake managers for lake-specific information.

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Lead & Copper Rule

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1. What type systems have to take part in Lead and Copper Rule?: All community water systems and non-transient non-community water systems are subject to the Lead and Copper Rule requirements.

2. How is compliance determined?

Lead and copper analytical results are evaluated against an action level, not an MCL. The lead action level is exceeded if the concentration of lead in more than 10% of tap water samples collected during any monitoring period is greater than 0.015 mg/L (i.e., if the 90th percentile level lead level is greater than 0.015 mg/L). The copper action level is exceeded if the concentration of copper in more than 10% of tap water samples collected during any monitoring period conducted is greater than 1.3 mg/L (i.e., if the 90th percentile copper level is greater than 1.3 mg/L). All samples that meet the proper site selection and sample collection procedures are used to determine the 90th percentile calculation, even if you collect samples from more sites than required.

The 90th percentile is calculated separately for lead and copper.

3. How do I calculate the 90th percentile?

If you are required to collect more than five samples:

Place lead results in ascending order (from lowest to highest value).
Assign each sample a number, 1 for lowest value.
Multiply the total number of samples by 0.9.
Compare the 90th percentile level to the action level of 0.015 mg/L (can also be expressed as 15 parts per billion (ppb)). If your 90th percentile value is higher than 0.015 mg/L, you have an exceedance.

Repeat this procedure for copper sample results, except compare the 90th percentile copper level against its action level of 1.3 mg/L. If your 90th percentile value is greater than 1.3 mg/L, you have an exceedance.

If you are required to collect five samples:

Place lead or copper results in ascending order.
Take the average of the 4th and 5th highest sample. This is your 90th percentile level.
Compare the 90th percentile level against the lead action level of 0.015 mg/L or copper action level of 1.3 mg/L.

You can also use this Excel spreadsheet (XLSX), which will automatically calculate your 90th percentile once you enter your Lead and Copper results in the respective cells.

4. Who do I contact if I have not received my sample bottles or I need replacement bottles?: Contact Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories (KHEL) at: 785-296-1620 and the Public Water Supply Section at: 785-296-5514.

5. What do I do if I need to change a Lead and Copper sample location?: You may change sample locations if a sample site is deemed unacceptable for Lead/Copper sampling. This can include homes with whole system water softeners, a residence that has been unoccupied for a long period of time, or a location where homeowners are uncooperative. If a sample location needs to be changed, contact the Public Water Supply Section at: 785-296-5514. Also note a change on your Lead and Copper Sample Site Plan with a brief reason for the location change, and send it in to the Public Water Supply Section.

6. What is corrosion control? How will I know if my system must perform corrosion control?: Corrosion control is a set of corrective actions that may be required if the 90th percentile action level for either copper (1.3 mg/L) or lead (0.015 mg/L) is exceeded. KDHE will notify you via letter with requirements if your water system is subject to corrosion control.

7. I’ve sent in all my Lead/Copper samples. What do I do now?

Per Federal Regulation, water systems are required to notify homeowners that participated in Lead and Copper sampling of their residence's results. KDHE has a template letter that water systems may use. After all participating homeowners are notified water systems are required to send a completed Certification of Delivery form to the Public Water Supply Section.

Helpful Documents

8. After sampling, how long do I have to send in the sample bottles?: After taking a Lead and Copper sample, you have 14 days to send in collected sample bottles.

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Measles (Rubeola)

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1. What are the symptoms for measles?

The symptoms of measles generally begin about seven to 14 days after exposure but can take as long as 21 days. The symptoms include:

Cough
Fever
Rash
Red, watery eyes
Runny nose
Tiny white spots with bluish-white mouth (Koplik spots)

A typical case of measles begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Two or three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth. Three to five days after the start of symptoms, a flat red rash appears on the face, usually at the hairline, and spreads downward to the chest and back. When the rash appears, the fever may spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit. After a few days, the fever usually subsides and the rash fades in the order it appeared.

2. How long is a person with measles contagious?: Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after the rash appears.

3. Is there treatment for measles?: There is no treatment or cure for measles. Medical care is supportive and can help relieve symptoms and address any complications that may develop.

4. Are there any complications of measles?

Measles can be serious in all age groups. However, children younger than 5 years of age and adults older than 20 years of age are more likely to suffer from measles complications. Common measles complications include ear infections and diarrhea. Some people may suffer from severe complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Complications can result in hospitalization and even death. Measles may cause pregnant women to give birth prematurely or have a low-birth-weight baby.

Complications of Measles

5. What should I do if I’ve been exposed to measles?: If you have been exposed to measles and have a fever, stay home except to see a health care provider. If you need to see your health care provider, call ahead so that appropriate measures can be taken to avoid spreading measles to others.

6. What is the best way to prevent measles?

Getting the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent measles. You are considered to be protected against the measles virus if you have records showing:

You have received one or two doses of the measles containing (MMR) vaccine
You have had a laboratory confirm that you had measles
You have had a laboratory confirm that you are immune to measles
You were born before 1957.

7. Who should receive the MMR vaccine?

Adults who do not have evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine.
Certain adults should receive two doses of MMR.
- Healthcare personnel (not just clinical staff)
- Students at post-secondary institutions (such as colleges or vocational schools)
- International travelers.
Children 12 months of age or older should have 2 doses:
- First dose at age 12 to 15 months
- Second dose between 4 to 6 years.

8. What are the clarifications of recommendations for measles?

Adults born before 1989 and only received one dose of MMR do not need to receive a second dose.
There is no recommendation for vaccination campaigns among adults or individuals in non-affected areas to prevent measles outbreaks.

9. What are the international travel recommendations for MMR vaccine?

Adults with documentation of one dose of MMR vaccine should get a second dose. Adults who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.
Children 12 months of age and older should receive two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.
Infants 6 months through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine.

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Medical Reserve Corps

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1. What is the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)?: The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a group of locally organized healthcare and non-healthcare volunteers working to strengthen the health and safety of communities. The goal of the MRC is to identify, credential, train, and prepare volunteers before a natural disaster or incident. The MRC believes that prepared communities lead to prepared states, which creates a prepared nation.

2. I’m not a medical professional. Can I still volunteer?: Yes! There is a wide variety of MRC workers. Healthcare professionals are always needed, but non-healthcare professionals can provide valuable help, too. If you are older than 18 and in good health, contact your local MRC unit today.

3. What will I do as an MRC volunteer?

Kansas MRC units participate in a wide range of activities. No two KS MRC units are exactly the same! Here is a random sampling of just some of the activities that KS MRC is involved in:

Hold CPR trainings
Provide medical support at an Ironman Triathalon
Participate in mass dispensing events
Provide vaccinations at local voting sites
Hold handwashing campaigns
Support the American Red Cross at a Special Needs Shelter
Give Tetanus shots to residents of Greensburg, Kansas following the tornado

4. What is the time commitment?

The time commitment is minimal. We ask that you participate in unit activities when you are available. Most units hold meetings throughout the year to keep volunteers up-to-date with current activities. Additionally, there is the need to stay current with any required unit trainings.

5. How can I apply?

There are several ways to apply to join a unit:

Contact your local unit’s coordinator.
Email the Kansas MRC Coordinator for more information.

6. There is not an MRC unit in my area, what should I do?: Consider starting your own unit! Visit our Starting a KS MRC Unit page.

7. Will I get paid?: No. The KS MRC is strictly a volunteer organization. Any time that you are willing to give will be appreciated.

8. What liability protection is available for volunteers?: Each Kansas MRC units should have responsibility for providing liability coverage. Make sure to check with the local unit coordinator to see what their policy is for liability coverage.

9. What is SERV-KS? Do I have to register in that too?

The System for Emergency Response Volunteers in Kansas is a web-based alerting, management and credentialing system used by the Kansas Department of Health & Environment and Medical Reserve Corps Unit Leaders for the management of volunteers who desire to support public health activities and emergencies. Volunteers who are interested in responding to a natural disaster or public health emergency can register in this platform. Healthcare professionals who register, and include health professional license details, will have the credentials verified.

SERV-KS is not a volunteer group or organization. It is simply a tool to collect information potential volunteers and assist the Kansas Medical Reserve Corps units.

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Mow & Go

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1. What is Mow & Go?: Mow & Go is an outreach campaign that encourages the public to mulch-mow or grass-cycle their leaves and grass clippings. Leaves and grass clippings are a valuable resource that many property owners let go to waste every spring, summer, and fall. Instead of taking advantage of the natural fertilizer that leaves and grass clippings create, homeowners landscapers and property managers often bag up the excess clippings and send them to the landfill where they take up valuable space and release harmful gas into the environment.

2. Why Mow & Go?

Mulch-mowing has many benefits for you, for your lawn, and for the environment:

Saves Money: Reduces the amount you spend on fertilizer by using what nature has already provided you, yard trimmings! Skip the cost of landscape bags altogether and ditch any additional costs of disposal that may occur.
Saves Time and Energy: Mulching leaves and grass in places is easier than bagging, raking, or blowing them to the curb. Save yourself some time and continue with your regular mowing routine.
Protects the Environment: Transporting and disposing of yard clippings from your curb wastes energy and contributes to pollution. Once at the landfill, the yard scraps fail to break down and release methane harmful greenhouse gas into the environment. Let those yard scraps feed your soil, while you kick back and relax, knowing you are helping the environment.
Grass-cycling contains moisture, valuable nutrients and decomposes quickly.

3. What are the green benefits of mulching-in-place?

The green benefits of mulching-in-place:

Mulch-mowing keeps your property healthy: you'll have a greener lawn because as leaves and grass clippings break down, it naturally fertilizes the soil.
This natural mulch improves soil structure and biology.
It also helps improve drainage and water retention.
"Free" mulch protects and enhances your landscape beds.
Critters like turtles, toads, and birds rely on leaf litter for food and shelter building materials.

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Newborn Hearing Screening - Hearing Rescreens

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1. Why is it important to have another hearing test as soon as possible?: Testing is the only way to know if your baby has hearing loss. The earlier a hearing loss is found, the better it is for the baby. If your baby has hearing loss, there are many ways we can help your baby. Finding hearing loss early can make a big difference in your baby's life.

2. What is a retest?: A hearing screener will test your baby and tell you the results or tell you if more tests are needed. The test is safe and painless. A few babies will need a more complete set of hearing tests by an audiologist, so you may be asked to bring your baby back. If your baby needs more testing, get it done as soon as possible.

3. Can babies pass and still lose hearing later?

Yes, some babies hear well enough to pass the first test, but lose their hearing later because of:

Some illnesses
Some injuries
Some medicines
Family history of hearing loss

Watch for signs of hearing loss as your baby grows.

4. My baby seems to be responding to sound. Do they still need another hearing test?: Most babies who have hearing loss will hear and respond to some sounds. Therefore, diagnose hearing loss is impossible without using the proper test equipment.

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Newborn Hearing Screening - Proceso de la Prueba

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1. Cómo se realiza una prueba de audición a recién nacidos?

Respuesta Auditiva Automatizada del Tronco Encefálico (AABR) - Esta prueba mide cómo el nervio auditivo reacciona al sonido. Ruidos o sonidos se ejecutan a través de audífonos suaves en los oídos del bebé. Los electrodos colocados en la cabeza del bebé miden la respuesta del nervio auditivo.
Emisiones Otoacústicas (OAE) - Esta prueba mide las ondas sonoras producidad en el oído interno. Una pequeña sonda es colocada justo en el interior del canal auditivo del bebé. Esta mide la respuesta (eco) cuando los ruidos o sonidos se ejecutan en los oídos del bebé.

Ambas pruebas son rápidas (5 a 10 minutos), sin dolor y se pueden hacer mientras el bebé esta durmiendo o acostado.

2. Y si mi bebé pasa?: Si su bebé no tiene factores de riesgo para la pérdida auditiva y ha pasado la prueba de audición del recién nacido, entonces el doctor de su bebé seguira evaluando la audición y habla/desarrollo del lenguaje de su bebé junto con otras etapas de desarrollo en cada una de las visitas regulares de su bebé.

3. Que pasa si mi bebé no pasa la prueba de audición?: Si su bebé no pasa la prueba de audición al nacer, no necesariamente significa que su bebé tiene pérdida auditiva. Pero para estar seguro, es extremedamente importante hacer pruebas adicionales. Esto debe incluir una evaluación auditiva más completa y una evaluación médica. Estas pruebas deben realizarse tan pronto sea posible, pero definitivamente antes de que su bebé tenga 3 meses de edad. Estas pruebas pueden confimar si la audición es normal o no.

4. Qué pasa si mi bebé no recibió la prueba de audición cuando recién nació?: Si su bebé no recibió la prueba de audición, llame al doctor de su bebé y pida que su bebé sea evaluado. La audición puede ser evaluada a cualquier edad. Hable con el doctor de su bebé si tiene alguna duda en cualquier momento acerca de la audición o el desarrollo del lenguaje de su bebé.

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Newborn Hearing Screening - Pruebas de Audición Adicionales

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1. Porqué es importante tener otra prueba de audición tan pronto sea posible?: La prueba es la única manera de saber si su bebé tiene pérdida auditiva. Mientras más rápido se diagnostica la pérdida auditiva, es mejor para el bebé. Si su bebé tiene una pérdida de audición, hay muchas maneras en que podemos ayudar a su bebé. Identificar enseguida pérdida de audición puede hacer una gran diferencia en la vida de su bebé.

2. Qué pasará durante mi primera visita?: Una persona especializada tomará la prueba a su bebé y le dirá los resultados o le dirá si se necesitará más pruebas. La prueba es segura y sin dolor. Pocos bebés necesitarán un conjunto más completo de pruebas por un audiólogo, asi que le pueden pedir que traiga a su bebé otra vez. Si su bebé necesita más pruebas, hágalas lo más pronto posible.

3. Puede un recién nacido pasar la prueba de audición y todavía tener pérdida de audición?

Si, algunos bebés escuchan lo suficientemente bien como para pasar la primera prueba, pero pierden más tarde la audición a causa de:

Algunas enfermedades
Algunas lesiones
Algunas medicinas
Historia familiar con pérdida de audición

Esté atento a las señales de pérdida de audición mientras el bebé crece.

4. Mi bebé parece estar respondiendo al sonido. Todavía necesita otra prueba de audición?: La mayoría de bebés que tienen pérdida auditiva escucharán y responderán a algunos sonidos. Por lo tanto, diagnosticar pérdida auditiva es imposible sin utilizar el equipo de prueba adecuado.

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Newborn Hearing Screening - Testing Process

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1. How is newborn hearing screening done?

Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) - This test measures how the hearing nerve responds to sound. Clicks or tones are played through soft earphones into the baby's ears. The electrodes place on the baby's head measures the hearing nerve response.
Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) - This test measures sound waves produced in the inner ear. A tiny probe is placed just inside the baby's ear canal. It measures the response (echo) when the clicks or tones are played into the baby's ears.
Both tests are quick (5 to 10 minutes), painless and may be done while your baby is sleeping or lying still.

2. What if my baby passes?: If your baby does not have risk factors for hearing loss and has passed the newborn screen test, then your baby's doctor will continue to assess your baby's hearing and speech/language development along with other milestones at each of your baby's regular visits.

3. What if my baby does not pass the hearing screen?: If your baby does not pass the hearing screen at birth, it does not necessarily mean that your baby has hearing loss. But to be sure, it is extremely important to have further testing. This should include a more thorough hearing evaluation and a medical evaluation. These tests should be done as soon as possible, but definitely, before your baby is 3 months old. These tests can confirm whether a hearing is normal or not.

4. What if my baby did not receive a hearing screen as a newborn?: If your baby did not receive a hearing screen, call your baby's doctor and ask to have your baby screened. Hearing can be screened at any age. Talk with your baby's doctor if you have any concerns at any time about your baby's hearing or speech development.

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NW Mineralization Study - Study Area Map

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1. What if my well is in the study area, but I did not receive a letter?

If your well is located within the study area and you have not received a letter, please contact FHSU:

Phone: 785-628-5349
Email Fort Hays State University

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NW Mineralization Study - Water Well Testing Outside the Study Area

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1. What if I am located outside the study area, but would like to test my water well for these parameters?

The list below provides labs that accept private water well samples and offer testing on some or all of the parameters included in the study; contact the labs for more information on costs and testing services.

Eurofins TestAmerica, Kansas City
2300 SW US Highway 40
Unit 1914
Blue Springs, MO 64015-4336
Phone: 816-206-2053
ServiTech Laboratories
1816 E. Wyatt Earp Boulevard
Dodge City, KS 67801
Phone: 620-801-4116

For additional questions on sampling outside of the study area, please email the Kansas Department of Health and Environment or call 785-296-7770.

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Pandemic Influenza

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1. What is pandemic influenza?

Pandemic influenza is a worldwide outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus to which people have little or no immunity appears in humans then spreads easily from person to person. The symptoms of such a virus would probably be similar to those of seasonal influenza, but the duration and/or severity of the symptoms might be different.

The virus would spread the same way as a seasonal influenza virus. The prevention and treatment measures for such a virus would also be the same as for seasonal influenza. The H5N1 "bird flu" is one virus that could potentially cause a pandemic. Any one of several other new or unusual strains of influenza could also cause a pandemic.

Three major influenza pandemics swept the globe during the 20th century causing millions of deaths. No one knows when the next pandemic may strike or which variation of the influenza virus it will be. Efforts are underway to combat the serious impact a pandemic could have on Kansans.

2. How are pandemic, avian and seasonal flu different?

Pandemic Flu

Avian Flu

Avian or "bird flu" is caused by avian influenza viruses, which occur naturally among birds.

Seasonal Flu

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. In Kansas, the peak of the season is generally January or February. Vaccinations are available for seasonal flu in the fall of each year.

3. What´s the difference between seasonal and pandemic influenza?: Visit the CDC's page on influenza for the answer to this question.

4. When is the next flu pandemic expected?: Three major influenza pandemics swept the globe during the 20th century causing millions of deaths. No one knows when the next pandemic may strike or which variation of the influenza virus it will be, but many scientists believe it is only a matter of time before the next one occurs. Experts from around the world are watching the H5N1 Avian (bird) Flu situation in the Middle East, Europe and Asia very closely and are preparing for the possibility that the virus may begin to spread more easily and widely from person to person.

5. What risks do Kansans face from an influenza pandemic?

If a new and severe strain of influenza were to begin spreading around the world, Kansas would not be spared from its impact. The severity of the next pandemic cannot be predicted, but modeling studies suggest that its effect in the United States would be severe. In the absence of any control measures (vaccinations or antivirals), it has been estimated that a medium-level pandemic in the U.S. could cause:

89,000 to 207,000 deaths
314,000 to 734,000 hospitalizations
18 to 42 million outpatient visits to healthcare facilities
20 to 47 million people becoming sick
An economic impact ranging between $71.3 billion and $166.5 billion

In Kansas, estimates of impact of pandemic influenza include:

2,500 deaths
5,000 hospitalizations
500,000 outpatient visits
1 million may become ill

6. Does a flu shot protect against pandemic flu?: Current flu vaccines will not protect against a new pandemic strain of the flu virus. Because it takes several months to develop and distribute a vaccine for a new strain, a vaccine probably would not be available in the early stages of a pandemic. If a pandemic occurs, it is expected that the U.S. government will work with many partner groups to make recommendations to guide the early use of the vaccine.

7. Are there any other treatments for pandemic flu?: Antiviral medications can be used to treat and/or prevent influenza A viruses. However, flu strains can become resistant to antiviral medications. For example, only one antiviral medication works against the H5N1 Avian Flu virus identified in human patients in Asia in 2004 and 2005. The supply of this antiviral medication is very limited worldwide, and no pharmaceutical company in the United States manufactures it.

8. What should I be doing to protect my family and me?

Protect yourself against the spread of the flu and other germs and viruses:

Wash hands thoroughly and often
Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth
Stay home when you are sick
Keep children home from school when they are sick

Visit the CDC's Healthy Habits to Help Protect Against Flu page for more information.

9. How can Kansans prepare for pandemic influenza?

When preparing for a possible emergency situation such as pandemic influenza, it is important to consider the basics of survival, including fresh drinking water, food, clean air and warmth. Since it may be necessary to protect yourself and others from being infected with the virus, you may have to remain in your home for several days. The checklist below contains item that will be important to your survival and comfort if you cannot leave your home and people cannot enter:

Food and water - Be sure to have at least one gallon of water per person per day along with dried or canned food to last at least three days. Grocery stores may not have sufficient supplies or healthy staff to remain open. Remember baby formula and diapers if you have an infant.
Medications, First Aid kit, and equipment - If you or anyone in your family must take medications, be sure to have an adequate supply on hand. Keep a First Aid kit stocked with necessary materials and a basic tool kit.
Blankets and clothing - Make sure you have plenty of warm blankets and extra clothing for all family members on hand in case of disruptions in electrical power or other utilities.
Mouth and nose protection - Face masks should be available for each member of the family to prevent the spread of disease. A mask made of dense-weave cotton material that fits snugly over the face and mouth is best. Take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the best fit for children. There are a variety of masks available for sale in hardware stores.
Phone - Make sure you have at least one standard, hard-wired telephone since cordless phones will not work during a disruption in electrical power. Keep a contact list of important phone numbers in your emergency preparedness kit.
Battery-powered radio with extra batteries - Information from federal, state and local authorities will be relayed through the media. A radio will be your vital link to this information.
Flashlight with extra batteries - Stores are now selling flashlights with self-contained kinetic generators. One of these will come in handy if you run out of fresh batteries.
Items for personal comfort - Toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and paste, facial and bathroom tissue will be important to make your time at home more comfortable. Be sure to include items for children such as games, coloring books and other activities.
Large trash bags and ties - Keep a supply on hand to safely store trash and garbage since refuse service may be disrupted or postponed for several days.
Pets - If you have pets, make sure they have current vaccinations and ID tags on their collars. Make sure you have plenty of food, water and litter for them.
Emergency Preparedness Plan - Take the time to prepare a family emergency plan. Be sure to record medical histories, medication lists, and the weights of all children less than 90 pounds. Establish a family contact list of who to contact in an emergency. Don´t forget to check on your neighbors or relatives, especially those who are seniors.

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Pediatric Readiness & Recognition

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1. What is the Pediatric Emergency Ready Kansas (PERK)?: Pediatric Emergency Ready Kansas (PERK) is our statewide pediatric facility recognition program. It's completely voluntary and there is no fee to apply or be recognized. All emergency departments in Kansas are welcome and encouraged to apply!

2. Why get recognized?

Enhanced Compliance

Facilities that participate in a pediatric medical recognition program are more likely to be compliant with accreditation compliance requirements for pediatric patients.

Increased Pediatric Readiness

Facilities that have participated in a statewide pediatric facility recognition program have a higher average weighted pediatric readiness score than non-participating facilities.

Improved Pediatric Care

Facility participation in pediatric facility recognition has been linked to better pediatric care provision and improved family and patient perceptions of the care provided.

3. How can I participate?

Interested facilities can download the Application Packet and Eligibility Requirements (PDF). Once the desired recognition level has been determined, the facility will submit a completed application packet to the PERK team. The facility will then be contacted by one of the PERK survey team to provide links to the secure submission platform for document upload, and to schedule a site survey date for the Emergency Department visit.

Note: At this time site visits will be conducted virtually through a video-conferencing platform.

If you have any questions or want to discuss the process in greater detail please email Dayna Hull or call 785-213-1454.

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Plan Review & Permitting

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1. What must be submitted to KDHE?: In general, plans, specifications and a public water supply permit application must be submitted to KDHE for review and approval prior to the start of construction. Depending on the scope of work to be completed, other information may also need to be provided to KDHE in order to complete the plan review.

2. What must be submitted to KDHE on behalf of a water supply system before it proceeds with developing new sources water or making modifications to existing sources of water?: In addition to plans, specifications and a public water supply permit application information pertaining to water quality, water rights, ownership or perpetual easement must also be provided for review prior to the start of construction. Depending on the scope of work to be completed, other information may also need to be provided to KDHE in order to complete the plan review.

3. What size paper are project plan sets to be printed on?: Project plan sets are to be printed on 11 by 17-inch paper.

4. Do we have to use a professional engineer licensed to practice in Kansas?: Subject to limited exceptions, the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (KSBTP) requires the use of licensed professional engineers for services or work constituting the practice of engineering. Work products produced by a licensed professional engineer must be prepared and sealed according to the requirements of the KSBTP. Avoiding the use of a licensed professional engineer may compromise the technical requirements of a water supply design and may result in less than adequate facilities.

5. When does KDHE issue a public water supply permit?: Public water supply permits are issued by the Engineering and Permits upon receipt of a favorable post-construction final inspection report from the KDHE District Office in your area. The exception would be when the completion date and construction cost has been provided for a project that requires a permit but not a final inspection.

6. Are the ANSI/NSF 60 and 61 certifications really that important to water supply systems?: Yes. The certifications pertain to the safety of chemicals added to and the surfaces that come into contact with water in the production, storage, and delivery of potable water.

7. Does the Engineering and Permits Unit review and approve private/domestic wells?: No, only public water supply wells.

8. Is it okay to connect to another public water supply system without the connection first being approved by KDHE?: No. Connecting to another water supply systems constitutes the development of a new source of water which requires submittal of a plan review for approval.

9. Is a public water supply permit application always required for a waterline project?: No. The submittal of a permit application to KDHE for review is only required if the total length of all waterline to be constructed, including service line, is equal to or greater than 1 mile in length. However, plans and specifications are always required to be submitted to KDHE for review and approval regardless of the total length to be constructed.

10. What is the protective buffer distance for a public water supply well?: The minimum protective buffer distance is 100 feet. Greater distances may be required depending on how susceptible the well could be to neighboring activities.

11. What are the horizontal and vertical separation distances for waterlines and sanitary sewers?: Horizontal separation distance must be at least 10 feet as measured from edge to edge of the pipes. Vertical separation must be at least 2 feet (clear space) between the waterline and the sanitary sewer. Where a waterline crosses a pressure sewer line (sewer force main), there must be at least 2 feet vertical separation (clear space) at the crossing with the waterline always crossing above the pressure sewer line (sewer force main). The stated separation distances also apply to parallel runs and crossings, respectively, for water and sewer service lines.

12. Are horizontal and vertical separation distances for water service lines and sanitary sewers services lines the same for waterlines and sanitary sewers?: Yes.

13. What is the separation distance between a waterline and a sanitary sewer manhole?: Separation distance for a waterline (or water service line) is the same, 10 feet as measured from the outside of the pipe to the outside of the manhole.

14. Who can help with determining the proper disposal of wastewater from a water treatment facility?: Email the Chief of the Engineering and Permits Unit for assistance with completing the KDHE waste stream summary review and disposal method consensus process.

15. Do I need a final inspection for changes made in infrastructure before placing them into operation?: Yes. Final inspections need to be coordinated with the reviewing engineer in the Engineering and Permits Unit and the KDHE District Office in your area.

16. Where can I get a copy of the minimum design standards for public water supply systems in Kansas?: View the minimum design standards (PDF) and download as a single document or as a series of documents. The single document is large so it is important to verify that your system can download and store/print large documents.

17. What is the contact information for the KDHE District Office in my area?: Visit the Environmental District Offices page to find out more.

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Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System

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1. What is PRAMS?

Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a project between the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The purpose is to find out why some babies are born healthy and others are not. To gather this information, mothers answer questions about their health and life around the time of their pregnancy.

Your answers and participation in the project will help us learn more about ways to improve the health of both mothers and babies in Kansas.

2. Why should I participate in PRAMS?

You should participate in PRAMS for these reasons:

Your story will help future mothers deliver healthy babies in Kansas
You will help doctors and nurses improve care for babies in our state
You will receive a gift when you complete and return the questionnaire

3. Will my answers be kept private?: Yes, all answers are private to the extent allowed by law. All answers given on the questionnaire become grouped together and no woman will be identified by name.

4. How was I chosen to participate in PRAMS?: Your name was picked at random from the state births for the month that you received the questionnaire. Only a small number of women are chosen to help with this project. By choosing names at random, we are able to get a general idea of the health of moms and their newborn babies. In other words, we are not picking just one type of person or situation - all situations are important and it is likely that your story will be like other women that were not chosen.

5. Is it really important that I answer these questions?: Absolutely - it is very important! There are only a small number of women that are chosen to answer the questions. Therefore, each woman's answers are important. We will get the best overall picture of the health of Kansas moms and babies if all mothers selected complete and return the questions!

6. Some of the questions do not seem related to health care – why are those questions asked?: So many things in a mother's life affect her pregnancy. These questions are designed to try to get the best picture of the new mother's health care and other things that happened in her pregnancy.

7. What if I want to ask more questions about PRAMS?: Contact a member of the Kansas PRAMS team by email or toll-free at 844-353-9249.

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Public Notification

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1. How soon after learning of a violation must a PWS give public notification to its customers?

For Tier 1 violations (Acute MCL or treatment technique violations) within 24 hours.
For Tier 2 violations (monthly MCL violations under the TCR) within 30 days.
For Tier 3 violations (monitoring or reporting violations) within 12 months.

2. Can I distribute my public notices for a monitoring or maximum contaminant level (MCL) violations with my yearly Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR)?: Yes, if all required elements of the public notification are included in either the text of the CCR or an attached separate notice page and a printed copy of the CCR and public notification are made available to all users of the water supply whether or not they have access to a computer. Please note that CCR notices may only be a secondary method for publicizing MCL violations that occurred in the previous calendar year.

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Public Water Supply General

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1. What are the main criteria used to determine if a system is a Public Water Supply System?: The system provides piped water for human consumption and has at least 10 service connections or regularly serves at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.

2. How do I tell what type of Public Water Supply System I have?: View our flowchart.

3. How often is PWS required to measure the distribution system chlorine residual?: Daily and every time a bacteriological sample is collected at the sample site.

4. What are the minimum chlorine residual requirements in the distribution system?: 0.2 mg/I “Free” chlorine or 1.0 mg/I “Combined” or Total Chlorine.

5. What is the minimum positive pressure requirements for the distribution system?: 20 pounds per square inch (psi)

6. How long does a Public Water Supply System have to respond to significant deficiencies identified during a sanitary survey?: 45 days.

7. What does KDHE recommend as the maximum annual percentage of water loss?: 10% to 15%

8. Is there a list of amounts the KDHE Laboratory charges for each type of test it performs for Public Water Supply Systems?: View fees for analysis () that are listed in Kansas Administration Regulation 28-14-2.

9. Are all Public Water Supply systems required to have a certified operator and where can we get more information about what is required?: Yes, all Public Water Supply systems are required to have a certified operator. Please visit the Water and Wastewater Operator Certification website for more information.

10. How long must a Public Water Supply system maintain records on bacteriological and chemical analysis results?: Bacteriological results must be maintained for 5 years. Chemical analysis must be maintained for 10 years.

11. Are we required to have an Emergency Operations Plan and if so, where can we find out what is required?: Yes, KAR 28-15-18 requires that all Public Water Supply systems develop emergency response plans. Click here to view the guidance for developing these plans.

12. What should we do if our Public Water Supply has a major breakdown or loss of water service?: If the incident occurs during normal business hours, inform the KDHE District Office closest to your location or notify the Public Water Supply Section in Topeka. If the incident occurs after business hours, call the KDHE Environmental Emergency line at 785-296-1679.

13. Where can I get my water tested if it smells or tastes bad?: KDHE’s Environmental Laboratory Improvements Office website lists accredited laboratories that comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

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Radiological Sampling

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1. Which types of PWSS have to sample their water for radiological contaminants?: Community Water Systems.

2. How often must our water be sampled for radiological contaminants?: At least once every six years, more frequently if contaminants are found above certain levels.

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Report Novel Coronavirus

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1. Do I need to report by telephone?: Reporting suspicion of disease or lab results by phone is not required. For urgent issues, contact the epidemiology hotline at 877-427-7317.

2. Who is a mandated reporter in Kansas?

Health care providers and laboratories are required to notify KDHE regarding patients with suspected or confirmed reportable diseases. Each person licensed to practice the healing arts or engaged in a postgraduate training program approved by the state board of healing arts, licensed dentist, licensed professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, administrator of a hospital, licensed adult care home administrator, licensed physician assistant, licensed social worker, and teacher or school administrator are required to report. The list of reportable diseases is defined by Kansas statute (K.S.A. 65-118, 65-128 and 65-6001 through 65-6007; and by K.A.R. 28-1-2 and 28-1-18).

If you are a mandated reporter who is aware of a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, but your facility did not conduct a laboratory test, you are not required to report the patient to KDHE. For example, if you are a school nurse who is aware of a student that tested positive at a local clinic, you do not need to report the student. The laboratory conducting the SARS-CoV-2 test is required to report results to KDHE.

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Residential Lead Hazard Prevention - Renovation, Repair & Painting (RRP)

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1. Since the Environmental Protection Agency recently amended the RRP to allow contractors to collect paint chip samples, will KDHE allow the contractor to collect paint chip samples as well?: No. Kansas regulations do not allow for the collection of paint chip samples by anyone other than a certified risk assessor or lead inspector who is employed by a licensed lead activity firm.

2. I want to comply with Environmental Protection Agency / KDHE Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. What do I need to do?

Firms must be licensed by KDHE. To become licensed, renovation contractors must submit an application and fee payment to KDHE. An application can be found on the Applications/Forms page. Once licensed, the firm will be able to advertise that they are a KDHE licensed company under the RRP program and you will be given authorization to use KDHE's Licensed Renovator Firm logo. If you would like to have a copy of the logo, please send an email request to the Residential Lead Hazard Prevention Program.

Renovations covered by the rule must be performed or directed by a Certified Renovator. Individuals can become a certified renovator by completing a one-day training course in Lead-Safe Work Practices (LSWP); view a list of KDHE accredited training providers. All applications for licensure must be received within 1 year from the completion date of your LSWP training class. If it has been over a year since your training, you will be required to take a 4-hour refresher course.

Note: if you have already taken a Lead-Safe Work Practices class by a non-KDHE accredited training provider, you will be required to take an online exam before becoming licensed to perform work in Kansas.

3. I am planning to renovate my home. How can I find a licensed firm?: A list of licensed firms can be found on the Licensing and Certification page. You can also send us an email or call 866-865-3233 to speak to a staff member who can assist you to find out if a firm is licensed.

4. How long will it take KDHE to process my application to become licensed?: Processing time of applications is generally around 7 days as long as all information submitted on the application is correct and completed. You will be notified of any missing information needed and will have 30 days to submit any additional documentation.

5. What happens if my firm is in the middle of a renovation job and none of my employees or my firm is not licensed? What should I do?: All renovation work that is included in the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) must be done by a licensed firm only. All work must be ceased until your company and employees are properly trained and licensed.

6. I operate a renovation firm and I have heard that Kansas has adopted its own lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program. Do I have to also be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency?: As of April 09, 2010, Kansas was authorized to run our own RRP program. You are only required to be licensed in Kansas if you are performing the work in Kansas. If you are also working outside of Kansas, you will need to contact the Environmental Protection Agency to see if you are required to be licensed with them or if that state has their own RRP program.

7. Are schools subject to the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule?: Yes. RRP applies to all schools public, private and alternative. The RRP rule affects all facilities where children are present under the age of 6 that visit the property at least 2 different days in a week with each days visit lasting 3 hours or more and a combined visit of 6 hours a week with an annual visit of 60 hours.

8. Are stained surfaces subject to the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule?: Yes. This is considered a coating.

9. I am a handyman working alone. Do I need to be licensed as a firm?: Yes, you will need both the individual and the firm license.

10. I live in one unit of a duplex and I own and rent the other. Do I need Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) certification?: Yes, if you do maintenance or repair work on the rental unit.

11. I own and rent a home where the tenants do repair work at the property in return for lowering their monthly rent. Does the Renovation, Repainting (RRP) Rule restrict this?: Your tenants cannot perform the work on the property unless they are a licensed renovator and either employed by or licensed as a renovation firm. Rent is considered compensation under the rule.

12. How do the Kansas Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) regulations differ from those of the Environmental Protection Agency?

The regulations differ in the following ways:

Heat guns are prohibited in Kansas
Test kits to determine the presence of lead in surface coatings is prohibited in Kansas.
The use of paint chip and dust sampling is only allowed by a licensed Risk Assessor or Lead Inspector in Kansas.

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Revised Total Coliform Rule

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1. What is the monitoring period for bacteriological (Total Coliform Rule) compliance?: One calendar month.

2. What criteria are used to determine the minimum number of bacteriological samples a Public Water Supply System is required to collect each month?: Number of samples required depends upon water source type and population served. View our chart online.

3. I missed my collection day. What do I do?: Please take your sample on the next Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday that does not fall on or around a holiday. The sample must be collected within the scheduled month.

4. Can you test my well?

View a list of private labs to sample well water or test for Cryptosporidium, or Giardia.

5. What about water supply address or personnel changes?: Make sure that you keep these up to date at all times. If there are any changes please make sure that the Public Water Supply Section is notified at 785-296-6340. The lab prepares kits for mailing about 6 weeks ahead of the collection date, so it is very important that you update your information as soon as possible. You can also print off a PWS Contact Change Form (PDF) and return it to:
KDHE - Bureau of Water
1000 SW Jackson Street
Suite 420
Topeka KS 66612

6. How does the State Laboratory mail out the collection kits?

If your water system collects 6 or fewer routine samples per month, bottles are mailed from the KDHE lab to you via the U.S. Post Office on or around the 15th of the previous month. If you collect 7 or more routine samples per month, they are mailed to you via UPS on or around the 20th of the previous month. Your kits should arrive to you around the 1st of the month in which you need to collect them.

If you do not receive your collection kits by the 10th of the month, call 785-296-0971 for a replacement.

7. How do I handle collection kits that are delivered while I still have bottles to collect?: Pay close attention to the suggested collection date on the submission forms. Because the KDHE Laboratory sends the bottles out 10 to 15 days ahead of the month due, they can arrive in the month previous to the collection date. If you collect this bottle before the designated collection month, you might have collected too many samples in one month and not enough the next month and you might be out of compliance for the next month.

8. What can I do if I have sent my sample, but forgot to fill out the collection form?

If the date, time, collection location or the collectors name is missing, we will call you one time using the number we have on file. We will leave a message with the clerk, secretary or answering service for you to call us. You will have until Noon the next day to return the call, or we will reject the sample and send you a replacement (Yellow - REPL card) kit for you to collect another sample.

If you realize that you left off information after sending your sample, you can call the lab at 785-296-0971, and we can update your form when the sample arrives at the lab.

9. What if there is a small amount of liquid or white powder in the bottle? Is it safe to use?: Yes. Please do not rinse the bottle. The manufacturer adds sodium thiosulfate to each bottle prior to sterilization. Depending on the environmental conditions, the sodium thiosulfate could be liquid droplets or dry out and leave a powder. The sodium thiosulfate removes the chlorine from the sample and works in either liquid or powder form.

10. What should I do if the lid on the bottle is loose?: If the cap is loose but the safety seal is still intact, then the bottle should be okay! If the lid has fallen off, or you have a concern about the bottle integrity, then call 785-296-0971 for a new bottle.

11. I had a positive sample and sent in a box of 3 repeat samples, and now I have another box of 3 samples, what are they for?

If you have Total Coliform or E coli detected in a routine water sample:

The first box of 3 samples are "Repeat" samples. Look for the "RP" on the sample submission forms to the right of your account name at the top of the form.
The next set of samples are "Temporary Routine" samples. Look for the "TR RTOR" on the sample submission forms to the right of your account name at the top of the form. The Temporary Routine samples should be collected in the month following a positive sample. You must collect no fewer than 5 samples the month following a positive routine sample. The number of "TR RTOR" samples you receive is based on how many routine samples you normally collect each month. If you collect two routine samples a month, you will receive 3 "TR RTOR" samples to bring your total collections for the next month to five. If you collect three routine samples a month, you will receive 2 "TR RTOR" samples to bring your total collections for the next month to five, etc.
The Temporary Routine samples will be mailed on or around the first of the month they are to be collected. They can be collected anywhere on your site plan and collected as you would a routine sample. It is advised to collect them throughout the month on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday not preceding a holiday. They must all be returned to the lab by the end of the scheduled month. Failure to collect and return five routine samples in a month following a positive routine sample will result in a monitoring violation.

12. I collected my sample but forgot to mail it, or I know my sample will be too old. What should I do?: Please call the KDHE lab at 785-296-0971, and we will send a replacement if needed. We would like to have the affected bottle number(s) at the time of the call and the submission form(s) for our records, so we ask that you send those form(s) in with your next sample and its completed paperwork.

13. Where do I collect the replacement for my rejected sample?: You may collect it at any place on your registered site plan, but it is good practice to collect it at the original location.

14. How many repeat samples are required following a coliform-positive result and where are they to be collected?: Three repeat samples are required to be collected within 24 hours of learning of positive result if possible. One Repeat sample is required to be collected from the original coliform-positive site, one from within 5 service connections upstream of the original site, and one from within 5 service connections downstream of the original site.

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Small Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP)

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1. How does the Small Hospital Improvement Program work?

Hospitals receive direct grant funds, ranging between $8,000 and $11,000, depending on grant year to use towards:

Improving data collection activities in order to facilitate reporting to Hospital Compare
Maintaining accurate billing and coding systems
Building accountability across the continuum of care and improving care transitions between ambulatory and acute, acute to upstream acute and acute to step-down facility
Improving quality outcomes
Focusing on activities that support QI such as reduction of medical errors as well as education and training in data collection and reporting and benchmarking

2. Who are eligible for SHIP grants?

To be eligible for these grants, a hospital must:

Have 49 available beds or less, as reported on the hospital's most recently filed Medicare Cost Report
Be in a rural area, (located outside a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) or located in a rural census tract of an MSA as determined under the Goldsmith Modification)
Be defined as a non-Federal, short-term, general acute care facility

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SoundBeginnings - Early Intervention

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1. What is the cost of Early Intervention services?: Early Intervention services and supports are provided at no cost to families.

2. What services does Early Intervention provide?

Early Intervention services are individualized to enhance a child's growing and learning and can include:

Information on how children develop
Parent/caregiver education
Support services and developmental therapies that assist in a child's development
Ideas for how the family can help their child at home and in the community
Assistance to early childhood staff with strategies to promote a child's potential if a child is attending early care or education setting
Linking families to a variety of community services and supports

3. Where do families receive Early Intervention services?: Early Intervention supports and services are embedded within the child's home and community such as child care center, nursery school, play group, and/or Head Start program.

4. Who should parents contact to see if their child is eligible for Early Intervention services?: Visit the Kansas Resource Guide Helpline or call 800-332-6262.

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Stage 2 Disinfection By-Products Rule

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1. What systems have to take part in the Stage 2 Rule?: All community water systems and non transient non-community water systems that add disinfectant other than UV light, and transient non-community water systems that treat water with chlorine dioxide are subject to Stage 2 DBP Rule requirements. This also includes consecutive systems that deliver water treated with a disinfectant other than UV light.

2. How is compliance determined for DBPs?: Compliance for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) and Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) is determined with Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) using the calculated Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA). For an LRAA, an annual average is calculated at each monitoring site. MCLs for TTHM and HAA5 are 0.080 mg/L and 0.060 mg/L, respectively.

3. Why does my sample paperwork say to collect on a Sunday/or a holiday? Are we really supposed to collect on this day?: The sample date listed on lab paperwork is a suggested sample collection date. You have the entire month of your given sample month to take your DBP sample. Please note, though, that DBP samples must arrive at KHEL no later than Wednesday within the same sample week, with only 24 hours in transit. Samples therefore must be collected on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday in any given week of your sampling month. Also, samples must be completed within your assigned sampling month. Samples collected outside of your assigned sampling month are only allowed if operational procedures (such as a chlorine burnout) coincide with your sampling schedule and if KDHE is notified of these procedures before they occur.

4. What if I missed the sample date listed on the sample form from the lab?: You may sample on another day in your scheduled sample month. The sample date listed on lab paperwork is a suggested collection date. If you are unable to sample in your scheduled sampling month, contact the Public Water Supply Section at: 785-296-5514. If you miss sampling in your assigned sampling month, your water system may be subject to a Failure to Monitor violation.

5. What do I do if my system or the system I purchase from is performing a free chlorine burnout?: If the free chlorine burnout is occurring in or near your scheduled sampling month, contact the Public Water Supply Section so that we can adjust your sampling schedule. Please note that sampling during or closely after a chlorine burnout in either your system or a system that you purchase water from often result in very elevated DBP values that can cause your water system to invoke a DBP Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) violation.

6. Who do I contact if I have not received my sample bottles?: Contact Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories (KHEL) at: 785-296-1620 and the Public Water Supply Section at: 785-296-5514.

7. My samples were rejected. What do I do now, and how do I found out why they were rejected?: If your DBP samples are rejected, Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories (KHEL) will automatically send your water system replacement bottles. If you have further questions regarding why your samples were rejected, contact KHEL at: 785-296-1620 and the Public Water Supply Section at: 785-296-5514.

8. How do I get my water system on reduced monitoring for DBPs?

Systems may qualify for reduced monitoring if their LRAAs at all monitoring locations for TTHMs and HAA5 are no more than 0.040 mg/L and 0.030 mg/L, respectively. In addition, systems that are required to monitor for TOC must maintain annual average TOC levels of 4.0 mg/L or less in source water at each treatment plant in order to qualify.

Systems may remain on reduced monitoring as long as their quarterly LRAAs for TTHMs and HAA5 remain no more than 0.040 mg/L and 0.030 mg/L, respectively (for systems with quarterly reduced monitoring) or their TTHM and HAA5 samples are no higher than 0.060 mg/L and 0.045 mg/L, respectively (for systems with annual or less frequent monitoring).

If monitoring results indicate that a system is no longer eligible for reduced monitoring, the system must resume routine monitoring or begin increased monitoring the quarter immediately following the monitoring period in which the system exceeded the specified levels for reduced monitoring.

If your system qualifies for reduced monitoring, KDHE will notify you via mail.

9. What do I do if my sample bottle or cap is broken?: Contact Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories (KHEL) at: 785-296-1620 and the Public Water Supply Section at: 785-296-5514 so that we can get you a replacement bottle as soon as possible.

10. After I take my samples, how long do I have to get them to KHEL?: Samples may be taken on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday, and sent into the lab by Wednesday within the same sample week. Samples also cannot be in transit for longer than 24 hours, as samples must remain cold to be valid.

11. Which systems have to test for TOC (DBP precursors), Bromate, and Chlorite/Chlorine Dioxide?

TOC: Systems that use conventional filtration
Bromate: Systems that use ozone as a disinfectant
Chlorite/Chlorine Dioxide: Systems that use chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant

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Statewide Immunization Registry

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1. Where does the data come from?

Vital Statistics: Legacy birth data (1994 to present) is extracted nightly from Vital Statistics. On average, 95 to 98% of all parents consent to include their child's record in KSWebIZ through the birth registration process. This data includes birth certificate demographics and the birth dose of hepatitis B.

Medicaid Billing System: Vaccinations billed to Medicaid are imported into KSWebIZ nightly. (Vaccinations billed since 1994 have been imported.)

Historical (Legacy) Data Imports: When an immunization provider decides to use the system, historical (legacy) electronic data is imported into KSWebIZ when possible so that manual data entry can be avoided.

Direct Entry Providers: Patient demographic data, historical vaccinations, and administered doses are updated in real-time at the time of service.

Schools: School personnel access the system to update demographics, historical vaccinations, and track school immunization rates with parental consent.

Interface Providers: Providers with an electronic medical record (EMR) system that has the capability can search and update the registry electronically.

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STI / HIV

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1. What are Partner Services?

When someone tests positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) a Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) will offer Partner Services. These are free and confidential sexual health services offered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Partner services are offered to people who test positive for certain STIs, including syphilis, HIV, and monkeypox. Partner Services are offered to help prevent the spread of STIs and to prevent people who have been treated for STIs from getting infected again.

DIS contact people with STIs and their sex partners to:

· Answer their questions about STIs

· Help connect people with treatment if they have not already been treated

· Notify partners they may have been exposed to an STI

· Help partners get tested and treated for STIs

2. How do I know this is not a scam?: DIS reach out to people in several ways, including phone calls, social media, and in-person visits. If a DIS contacts you to offer Partner Services or notify you of a possible STI exposure, you may ask to speak with a supervisor to verify their identity. You may also request that DIS show you their health department badge or business card. Here (https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1917/Disease-Intervention-Specialist-Map) you can find a list of all DIS in Kansas, including their phone numbers

3. Why is the DIS asking for my birthday?

DIS are required to verify the identity of the person they are speaking with before disclosing any private health information. DIS verify identity by confirming your birthday. Your personal health information is protected by the medical privacy law, HIPAA, so DIS will never reveal your private health information to anyone but you.

4. Will the DIS tell my partners that I provided their information?

No. A DIS will never disclose your information to any of your partners, including your name, gender, or when they may have been exposed. All information discussed during Partner Services is confidential and protected by HIPAA.

5. Can I tell my partners myself?

Yes, you can tell your partners that you have an STI and encourage them to go to their health care provider for testing and treatment. DIS may still ask for your partner’s information so that they can follow up with them to answer any questions they may have and to help connect them with the correct testing and treatment. DIS can help you plan and practice what to say to your partners. If you do not feel safe telling your partners yourself and fear a negative or dangerous reaction, a DIS can tell them for you while still protecting your identity.

6. If I have been treated, why do I (or a DIS) need to tell my partners they may have been exposed?

Even if you are treated and your partners have no symptoms, there is still a chance they have the STI. If your partners are not treated for STIs, they may be able to infect you again. Even if you do not plan on having sex with that partner again, it is still important for them to be tested so they don’t infect someone else. Many STIs can be very serious if left untreated, and people deserve to know if they may have been infected. Then they can get treatment as soon as possible and avoid passing the infection on to others.

7. Why are my partners any of the health department’s business?: DIS offer partner services to make sure that everyone who may have been exposed to an STI is offered the correct information, testing, and treatment. STIs can be very severe if left untreated, sometimes causing blindness, brain and organ damage, or even death. If they have an untreated infection, they may spread the infection back to you or to others, including unborn and newborn babies if they are pregnant. DIS will never tell your partners any of your personal information.

8. A DIS told me I may have been exposed to an STI—why can’t I know who named me?

Just as a DIS will not disclose any of your personal health information to anyone but you, DIS also cannot disclose the private health information of the person who tested positive for an STI due to HIPAA (https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html).The person who named you cared about you enough to provide your information to the DIS so that you can tested and treated for STIs, which can be very serious if untreated.

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Surface Water Treatment Rule

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1. What is the new turbidity requirement under the IESWTR and LT1 ESWTR?

0.3 NTU (95% of monthly measurements)
1 NTU (maximum)

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SW Mineralization Study - Study Area Map

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1. What if my well is in the study area, but I did not receive a letter?: If your well is located within the study area and you have not received a letter, please request a study sample kit.

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Trauma Program

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1. What are concerns associated with traumatic injury?

Traumatic injury causes physical disability and death. Traumatic injury has surpassed disease as a leading public health concern, hitting our children and elders the hardest. It is the leading cause of unintentional death for Kansans ages 1 to 44.

When you suffer a serious injury you need timely public access via:

Rapid activation of the EMS system
Emergency medical care in and out of the hospital setting
Transport to the nearest appropriate hospital
Stabilization in the emergency department
Possible surgical intervention
Acute hospital care and rehabilitation

All of this reduces the chance that you will become severely disabled or die.

2. For every trauma-injury-related death, how many injuries are there?: For every injury death, there are 260 injury-related emergency room visits. Rushing a child to the emergency room is probably the most harrowing experience of anyone's life. It is critical to know your Kansas Trauma Centers (PDF).

3. Are trauma centers needed everywhere?: Yes, and especially in rural and frontier regions. Our family and friends who live in rural parts of the state face delays in being found if they are injured, longer EMS response times, greater distances to a trauma center, and limited access to specialty resources. All of these factors put them at a higher risk for disability or death.

4. What are the benefits of a systematic approach to trauma injuries?

We take a systematic approach to provide care to the injured patient. So we can match the patient to the right resources for their injury in the shortest amount of time possible, the Kansas Trauma System strengthens a network of relationships between:

Injury prevention advocates
Local health departments
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers
Hospitals and trauma centers
Rehabilitation specialists

It's your participation and input that makes this network operate smoothly.

5. How old is the Kansas Trauma System?

In 1999, the Advisory Committee on Trauma (ACT) was established by Kansas statute (K.S.A. 75-5663 to 75-5670). The Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) was tasked with administering the program and thus the Kansas Trauma System was born. From there, Trauma regions were outlined and dubbed "Regional Trauma Councils" and executive committees were chosen among peers to lead each council of general members.

A Trauma Registry database was put in place. Representatives from a variety of professional organizations including hospital associations, medical societies, EMS, nurse associations and legislators serve on the ACT to help guide the overall direction of the system. KDHE then develops the rules and regulations necessary to carry out the decisions.

To answer your question, we're a little over 20-years-old. We like to think our program is entering its "college years" and that means making those life-defining decisions all 20-year-olds make.

6. What are some decisions currently being made by the Kansas Trauma System?

The Kansas Trauma System is making decisions that affect your life, behind the scenes of course:

Promote best practices and resource/funding availability for trauma programs
Support quality training and recruitment efforts for staff in trauma medicine
Coordinate regional performance improvement and patient safety (PIPS) efforts and so much more

All of these are to ensure the system works better for injured Kansans and the practitioners who care for them.

7. What are some ways I can get involved and help?: View our Get Involved page to see what you can do to help.

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Tuberculosis Control Program

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1. What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease caused by a type of bacteria that can be spread from person to person through the air. A person with TB disease spreads the bacteria to others by coughing, laughing, sneezing, or even by speaking. TB is most commonly spread to others in confined, poorly ventilated spaces. Although anyone can be exposed to this disease, certain individuals are at higher risk for exposure, including health care professionals, the homeless, and people who were born in countries with high TB rates. Elderly people and individuals with HIV or AIDS are also more likely to get TB because their bodies are less able to fight off infections.

Being diagnosed with TB infection (also called Latent TB Infection, Latent TB, or LTBI) means you have inactive TB bacteria in your body. Because the bacteria are inactive, you are not contagious. However, TB infection may become an active disease if your immune system is weakened (if you are elderly or have HIV, for example). According to the World Health Organization, about 1/4 of the world's population has TB infection.

Being diagnosed with TB disease (also known as Active TB or Active TB disease) means you have active TB bacteria in your body. Usually, a person with Active TB Disease exhibits symptoms such as a lasting cough, coughing up blood, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss. If you have TB disease, the bacteria are multiplying in your body and can be spread to others. TB disease can almost always be cured, but it may be fatal if you don't take all your medication. Treatment for TB disease typically consists of multi-drug therapy for an average of six months.

In addition to using symptoms and chest x-rays to help diagnose TB disease, sputum specimens (material coughed from deep within the lung) are sent to the Kansas Division of Health and Environmental Laboratories for microscopic examination and culture to detect and recover the TB bacterium and confirm the diagnosis. The TB bacteria grown in culture are tested against the antibiotics used to treat the disease to make sure the bacteria are sensitive to them. The laboratory also uses the newer TB gene amplification tests on microscopically positive sputum specimens to identify TB within one to two days. This is very helpful since TB bacteria grow slowly and take an average of 16 days to grow in culture but can take up to six weeks to grow. However, it's still important to grow the bacteria in culture for antibiotic sensitivity testing even if the gene amplification test is positive.

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Vital Statistics - How to Amend Birth Certificates for Adults

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1. My name is misspelled/wrong on the birth certificate. How do I fix it?

If your first, middle, or last name is misspelled, not changing, you will need to provide our office with an original or certified copy of one document dated before your tenth birthday that shows your name as it should appear on your birth certificate. We also need a notarized request stating what you are wanting our office to amend on your birth certificate. View a Sample of a Notarized Statement (PDF).

If your first, middle, or last name is changing you would need to obtain a court order legal name change. Once you have obtained that court order you would then need to mail the certified order our office along with a cover letter. The cover letter needs to include your name at birth, date of birth, and what you are wanting our office to do.