January is National Radon Action Month
Trumbull Health Department Urges Residents to Test Their Homes for Radon
In support of National Radon Action Month, the Trumbull Health Department urges residents to learn more about radon – a leading cause of lung cancer – and to test for radon in their homes. The Health Department has a limited supply of free radon test kits for residents. Residents are asked to follow the instructions when conducting the radon test and to submit results to Air Check Inc. Results will be shared with homeowners as well as the Health Department. Kits will be available while supplies last (one kit per address). To reserve your kit, contact the Health Department at 203-452-1030.
Radon is an invisible and odorless gas that can enter homes through cracks in the basement floor or from well water. Prolonged exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Only one in five homes has a radon problem. But the only way to know if your home is free of radon is to test it.
Radon levels vary throughout Connecticut. Because you cannot see, taste, or smell radon, the only way to determine if you have a radon problem in your home is to test for it. Testing involves placing a small device in your home for at least 48 hours and then sending the device to a laboratory for results. If levels of radon are high (4 pCi/L or higher), the Connecticut DPH strongly recommends that homeowners enlist a radon mitigation professional to help lower the levels. However, radon exposure at any level poses some health risk, and according to the CT DPH, homeowners may want to consider reducing radon levels if they are greater than 2 pCi/L.
Radon mitigation professionals are trained to reduce radon in homes using ventilation and depressurization systems and other techniques. As with many home repairs, the cost of radon mitigation varies. The CT DPH estimates that the service may cost $1200 to $1500. A list of radon professionals is available on the CT DPH website (http://www.ct.gov/dph/radon).
Testing kits can also be purchased at the American Lung Association website at http://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/indoor/indoor-air-pollutants/radon.html or by calling 1-800-LUNG-USA or 1-860-289-5401 to order a testing kit. Radon test kits can also be purchased at local hardware stores.
---
January is National Radon Action Month and the Trumbull Health Department is urging residents to learn more about radon, a leading cause of lung cancer.
You can’t see, smell or taste radon, but it could be present at a dangerous level in your home. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America and claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans each year. In fact, the EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General urge all Americans to protect their health by testing their homes, schools and other buildings for radon.
Exposure to radon is a preventable health risk and testing radon levels in your home can help prevent unnecessary exposure. If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem to protect yourself and your family.
Five Things You Can Do During National Radon Action Month
- Test your home-EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend that all homes in the U.S. be tested for radon.
- Attend a National Radon Action Month event in your area-Look for radon events in your community.
- Spread the word
- Spend time during National Radon Action Month encouraging others to learn about radon and test their homes-Tell your family and friends about the health risks of radon and encourage them to test their homes.
- Buy a radon-resistant home
To help promote testing, the Trumbull Health Department has a limited number of free testing kits available to Trumbull residents. Stop by the Health Department at 335 White Plains Road to pick up your test kit today!
For more information on radon, visit the links below.