Radon is an odorless, tasteless, naturally-occurring gas that seeps into the house from the soil around and under the home; through the cracks in the foundation, floor or walls, and openings around floor drains, pipes and sump pumps. Radon has been detected in new and old homes, and in homes with or without basements.
Radon causes no immediate health symptoms, but long term exposure may cause lung cancer. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. Rock County Public Health Department data shows that over half of homes tested within Rock County have radon levels above health advisory levels.
“Living in a home with high radon levels is a serious health issue a lot of people don’t know about it,” says Jared Hergert, Environmental Health Specialist at the Rock County Health Department. He says the only way to know if you have a radon problem is to test for it.
The Rock County Public Health Department strongly recommends all homeowners test their homes for radon, and take action if the radon level of your home is high. Homeowners should also retest for radon every two years, even if a radon mitigation system has been installed. If you are building a new home, talk to your builder about inexpensive systems that can prevent radon from becoming a problem.
“If you find out that you have high radon levels in your home, we know it can be scary,” says Hergert. “But addressing the issue is easier than homeowners expect and an action that can greatly reduce radon’s associated health risks.”
Test kits are simple to use and cost $11 at the Rock County Public Health Department. To purchase a test kit and learn more about radon, please call the Rock County Public Health Department at 608-757-5440.You can also visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services radon website at www.lowradon.org.
