January is National Radon Awareness Month

For Immediate Release

January 19, 2015

Contact: Cynthia Bodendein, RN, MSN

Radon Prevention and Mitigation

January is National Radon Awareness Month

Have you had your house tested for Radon? Or better yet, what is Radon?   Radon is an invisible, odorless, naturally occurring, radioactive gas that seeps through the ground and into residential homes and other buildings alike.

Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., killing 25,000 people each year. Effects from radon do not happen overnight.  The lung cancer that develops happens over a long period of time, so catching a problem early can prevent lung cancer down the road.

Radon comes from the decay of the element Uranium which is commonly found in Wisconsin soils.  Radon gas can get through small cracks and crevices in the foundation of your home.   Radon gas is most present in the lower most part of your home.

Radon can be found in houses in all geographic locations and of all ages.  Radon can vary from house to house, so relying on a neighbor’s radon test is not advised when trying to determine your home’s radon level.

Fortunately, it is easy and inexpensive to test for radon in your home.  The South Central Environmental Health Consortium (SCEHC), serving Sauk, Adams, and Juneau counties, provides home test kits.  These can be purchased from your local health department or one of nine radon test distribution centers throughout the counties.  This short-term test kits determine the radon level over a 48 hour period and costs $10.00.

The radon test kits can be picked up at following locations:

Sauk County Health Department - West Square Building, Baraboo

Lake Delton Village Offices - 50 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy South

Reedsburg City Hall - 134 S. Locust St

Spring Green Village Offices - 154 N Lexington Street

Prairie Du Sac Village Office - 335 Galena Street

Juneau County Health Dept. - 220 E State St Rm 104, Mauston

Adams County Health and Human Services – 108 E. North Street, Friendship

Necedah Village Office - 101 Center Street

Elroy Municipal Building – 225 Main Street

The SCEHC has multiple staff members certified in radon measurement.  The SCEHC will provide advice and information on any questions regarding radon. To purchase a radon kit for testing your home, contact the South Central Environmental Health Consortium at 608-355-3290.

##END##