LANSING, Mich. — January is National Radon Action Month and Mid-Michigan health departments are warning against the dangers of the gas.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soil and rock in all parts of the United States that is colorless and odorless. However, it is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall, according to a release sent to News 10.
“Since Radon is odorless and colorless, the only way to know if you have a Radon problem is to test. Each home is unique. Just because your neighbor has a low level, does not mean you will have a low level of Radon in your home. Jackson County is considered a Zone 1 County, which means that average Radon levels are expected to be above the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L (picoCuries per Liter). Take action now and test your home,” said Don Hayduk, Environmental Health Division director.
The Ionia County Health Department is giving away Radon test-kits throughout January.
The test-kits are in exchange for a donation of non-perishable foods.
The Ionia County Health Department recommends that all homes be tested in order to limit the risk of exposure.
Radon can be found in all types of homes and buildings in the U.S. If there is Radon gas in the ground, it can get into the building, according to a release sent to News 10.
The gas can move from the ground into a home through drains, cracks or other holes that are in the foundation and the levels of the gas can change over time, the release states.
Radon can do damage to your lung tissue if the gas particles happen to decay and release bursts of energy when they are in your lungs, which can lead to lung cancer, the release states.
The Ingham County Health Department said the gas is responsible for about 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
To reduce Radon in your home, you can install a vent pipe system and fan that pulls the gas from beneath the building and vents to the outside. Radon reduction systems can also be put into homes with or without basements in addition to homes that have crawlspaces.
If you are interested in donating food to the Ionia County Health Department in exchange for a test-kit, the health department is located on East Adams Street and is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. On Wednesdays, the department is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Ingham County Health Department is also offering free radon test kits. The department said the kits are available all year-round.
The Ingham County Health Department is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on Cedar Street.
Radon testing kits can also be purchased at most hardware and home improvement stores for about $10 to $20.
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