Our Goal

The Kickapoo Department of Environmental Programs (KDEP) strives to provide effective environmental programs that promote protection of the environment and human health with respect to surface water, drinking water, air, solid waste, brownfields, underground storage tanks, hazardous waste, emergency response, environmental justice, pesticides, and environmental planning projects.

 

Our Mission

The mission of the Kickapoo Tribe is to protect and manage the reservation environment for the jurisdictional and/or service area of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. In order to increase protection of its environment, the Kickapoo Tribe established the Kickapoo Department of Environmental Programs (KDEP) in December of 1997. The KDEP is responsible for identifying environmental problems and developing prevention and remediation strategies. To accomplish this mission, the KDEP will adhere to quality assurance activities in order to ensure that all decisions are based on environmental data that is scientifically valid, precise, accurate, complete, representative, comparable, and legally defensible. KDEP will strive to incorporate cultural needs, which is the tradition and heritage of the Kickapoo people into all documents produced for the preservation of the Tribe.

Clean Air Monitoring

The purpose of the indoor air quality assessments is to determine any air quality problems that may be linked to mold or environmental triggers for asthma. A visual inspection and educational outreach will be conducted by KDEP staff members.

The Kickapoo Department of Environmental Programs has developed a comprehensive indoor air quality assessment program. The program will focus on mold and indoor asthma triggers.

Mold has been linked to a variety of health issues including, but not limited to, aggravation of asthma and allergies, coughing, congestion, skin rashes , and are at increased risk for infections.

Environmental control of asthma symptoms is often safer and less expensive than medical control of asthma. Our Indoor Air Quality Assessment can help determine suspected areas or sources of the problem.

Indoor Air Services Include

Home Mold Assessments

Why is Mold Problematic? Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

Indoor Asthma Triggers Assessments

What are some asthma triggers? Secondhand smoke, dust mites, molds, pests, pets, nitrogen dioxide, chemicals, wood smoke, outdoor air pollution.

 

Things You Should Know About Mold

  1. Potential health effects and symptoms include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
  2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
  3. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
  4. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
  5. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
  6. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
  7. Currently, there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants.
2022 Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma Environmental Department