Free kit available to measure radon levels in your home
Radon is a naturally occurring invisible, odorless gas that is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air. When trapped in buildings, however, it can reach harmful elevated levels.
Radon is a naturally occurring invisible, odorless gas that is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air. When trapped in buildings, however, it can reach harmful elevated levels.
Radon has been shown to cause up to 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States.
Radon gas originates when uranium breaks down in the soil, giving off a radioactive gas.
While radon is more common in some areas of the state than others, radon levels high enough to cause concern have been found in homes in all Wisconsin counties.
Common entry paths for radon include earth floors, sump pump wells, floor drains, and gaps in floors and around pipes, visible and microscopic cracks, holes left from form ties, construction joints and hollow concrete block walls.
Radon does not cause direct respiratory problems, headaches or other immediate health dangers. However, prolonged exposure to radon increases the chances of lung cancer.
The higher the lifetime exposure the greater the risk of lung cancer.
The risk to tobacco smokers from radon exposure is dramatically greater.
As part of National Radon Awareness Month, the Radon Information Center of West Central Wisconsin and the St. Croix County Public Health Department is offering free short-term radon test kits to the first 50 households.
The free test kits are for residents of St. Croix County who have not done a previous radon test.
Kits can be picked up at the following St. Croix County offices: Land and Water Conservation office in Baldwin; Planning & Zoning office at the Government Center in Hudson; or the Public Health Department in New Richmond.
The price for kits after the first 50 are taken will be $6 for the rest of January.
Tags: news, environment, health
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