Your Body Almanac

Nebraska

Radon under the house, mosquitoes in late summer, deep cold in winter.

Much of Nebraska sits on soil that gives off radon, and the state has some of the highest West Nile virus rates in the country. Winters are cold and the winter sun is weak, and many rural homes drink from private wells that no agency tests for you.

01

High radon in many homes

Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up from soil into basements and lower floors. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who don't smoke. EPA's radon map puts much of eastern and southern Nebraska in Zone 1, its highest-risk category, and the state estimates that about half of single-family homes would test above EPA's action level. A simple test is the only way to know about your home.

SourcesNebraska — EPA Map of Radon Zones (EPA)Radon fact sheet (Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy)Health risk of radon (EPA)
Test your home for radonAs neededRadon is invisible and odorless, so a simple test is the only way to know your level. Fix it at 4 pCi/L or higher.
02

West Nile virus from mosquito bites

From 2009 to 2018, Nebraska had one of the three highest rates of serious, brain-affecting West Nile illness in the US, behind only North and South Dakota. Most cases start between July and September. Most infected people never feel sick, but older adults face the highest risk of severe disease.

SourcesSurveillance for West Nile Virus Disease — United States, 2009–2018 (CDC MMWR)
Use insect repellentAs neededUse an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin when mosquitoes or ticks are around.
03

Nitrate in private well water

Nitrate from fertilizer, manure and septic systems can soak into groundwater. Private wells are not covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act, so testing is up to the owner. Nebraska ran its largest-ever private-well nitrate study in 2023 and 2024, and the state health lab sells nitrate test kits. High nitrate is a particular concern for babies and during pregnancy.

SourcesNitrate in Drinking Water Study (Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment)Nitrogen and Water (USGS)
Test your private well every yearYearlyIf your water comes from a private well, have it tested by a certified lab at least once a year.
04

Weak winter sun and vitamin D

Your skin makes vitamin D from the sun's UVB rays, and in winter the sun sits too low for much of it to get through. A classic study found that winter sunlight in Boston, at 42 degrees north, made no vitamin D in skin from November through February. Nebraska spans roughly 40 to 43 degrees north, so for several months food is the more reliable source.

SourcesVitamin D — Health Professional Fact Sheet (NIH ODS)Influence of season and latitude on the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D3 (Webb et al., 1988, PubMed)
Get vitamin D from foodDailyEat fatty fish, fortified milk and UV-exposed mushrooms so you are not relying on the sun alone. Ask your doctor about vitamin DYearlyIf you get little sun or few vitamin D foods, ask at your checkup whether testing or a supplement makes sense for you.
05

Cold snaps and wind chill

Plains winters bring hard freezes and strong wind, and wind chill makes exposed skin lose heat much faster than the thermometer suggests. Frostbite and hypothermia can set in quickly on the coldest days, especially if you are wet, tired or have been drinking.

SourcesWind Chill Chart (National Weather Service)Winter Weather (CDC)
Dress in layers for the coldAs neededWear several loose layers, a hat, gloves and waterproof insulated boots, and carry spares.

When to see a professional

Get medical care for a sudden severe headache, stiff neck, confusion or weakness in summer, numb or waxy-white skin after cold exposure, or a cough that won't go away (and mention radon exposure if your home tested high).