Public health officials in Conn. urge testing for radon
Radon may not be on anyone’s health radar, but it’s still a major risk for some people, according the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Experts said the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantines have made testing homes for radon especially crucial.
January is National Radon Action Month, and the state is urging residents to test their homes for the gas, which is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths.
According to a news release, health officials estimate that radon is responsible for more than 21,100 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Testing homes for radon is especially important during the COVID- 19 pandemic, health authorities said, as people are spending more time at home — particularly in the lower floors of their houses, where radon levels can be higher.
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas formed from the natural decay of uranium and is found in rock, soil,and water. While radon in outdoor air poses a relatively low risk to human health, it can enter homes from the surrounding soil and become a health hazard inside buildings.
“Many people are unaware of the harmful health risk of radon in their homes, because it is not a gas you can see, smell or taste,” said Acting Connecticut DPH Commissioner Dr. Deidre S. Gifford in a news release. “The only way to detect this silent killer is through testing, and that is why the DPH Radon Program works together with local health departments across the state to make sure residents are well informed about these risks.”
The DPH Radon Program recommends that the lowest occupied levels of all Connecticut homes be tested for radon in the winter months.
The health department reports that 33 local health department/district partners were provided 2,075 free test kits for distribution in their local communities to support radon awareness. Those interested in learning whether they are eligible for one of the free kits can visit the DPH Radon Program website at ct.gov/radon to view a map of these local health partners and contact them directly.
Test kits can also be purchased from hardware stores or the American Lung Association, by calling 1-800-LUNGUSA or visiting lung.org.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that homes with radon levels at or above 4.0 pCi/L be fixed. Homeowners should consider fixing homes with radon levels between 2pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.
Smokers exposed to radon have a much
higher risk for developing lung cancer.
To learn more about radon and to obtain a list of radon mitigation contractors, visit ct.gov/radon.