January is National Radon Action Month
January is National Radon Action Month
If you’re not familiar with radon, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) states that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and describes it as, “a naturally occurring gas that is radioactive and can cause lung cancer.”
What is Radon?
“Radon is a radioactive gas that is found across the state of Wisconsin and travels only a meter or two through soil from where it was created. Radon comes naturally from uranium through a long series of radioactive transformations, meaning it undergoes radium decay before it is transformed into a chemically reactive atom.
Radon enters basements as the air tends to be at lower pressure than the soil gases under the slab. Cracks and openings in basements allow the radon to enter the home.” – Wisconsin DHS Radon website.
The DHS notes that about one out of 10 homes in Wisconsin have high radon levels. You can’t see or smell radon. Testing is the only way to know your level of exposure, and can have a big impact on your indoor air quality.
Which radon zone do you live in? Find your zone and supplemental information near you. View the EPA Map of radon zones.
You can buy a radon test kit from a hardware store or a Radon Information Center for approximately $20. More information on testing your home for radon may be found here.
If you have questions or need help, contact a radon expert by calling 1-888-LOW-RADON (1-888-569-7236).
Here are links to area county websites:
- IRON COUNTY – https://www.ironcountypublichealth.org/
- FLORENCE COUNTY – https://florencewipublichealth.com/radon.htm. Radon test kits are available at the Health Department for $10.00 each. Please stop in, call 715-528-3462, or email Sara Jerue at sjerue@co.florence.wi.us to get your kit.
- FOREST COUNTY – http://forestcountypublichealth.org/community-health/radon. Radon kits are for sale through the Forest County Health Department in cooperation with the Northcentral Wisconsin Radon Information Center at Marathon County Health Department. Test results are mailed directly to participants. Referrals are made to the Northcentral Radon Information Center when radon remediation assistance is needed.
- LANGLADE COUNTY – https://www.co.langlade.wi.us/departments/health-department/environmental-services/indoor-air-assessment/. The Langlade County Health Department can provide radon test kits for a minimal fee to test the level of radon in your home. Results are sent to you within 2-4 weeks.
- ONEIDA COUNTY – https://publichealth.co.oneida.wi.us/services/environmental-health/radon-testing/. Radon kits are made available through the Oneida County Health Department. Simply stop by our office Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and pick up your kit today. Kits have easy to follow instructions inside so you know how to complete the test. For more questions on radon, you can contact us at 715-369-6111.
- PRICE COUNTY – https://co.price.wi.us/213/Radon-Testing
- VILAS COUNTY – https://www.vilascountywi.gov/departments/services/public_health_department/environmental.php#:~:text=To%20promote%20the%20awareness%20of,up%20a%20radon%20test%20kit. To promote the awareness of radon risks, the Vilas County Public Health Department provides radon testing kits for $15.00 each. Stop by the Vilas County Public Health Department at 330 Court Street. Eagle River, Wisconsin to pick up a radon test kit. If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem to protect yourself and your family. Call the Public Health Department at 715-479-3656 if you have any questions.
View the Radon 101 video from DHS