Governor Pillen this week proclaimed January to be “Radon Action Month.” Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is naturally occuring and can enter homes. Long-term exposure to high levels of it, however, can lead to lung cancer.
Indeed, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and the gas kills more than 21,000 people every year. Ellen Zoeller of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services talked to KLIN News about radon and how to test your home for it.
“It comes from the soil,” said Zoeller. “It is a by-product of uranium as it decays, so it is a radioactive soil gas that is naturally occurring. It is drawn into homes through ventilation systems, through gaps and cracks in the foundation, and air pressure differences.”
Nebraska has the third-highest level of radon in homes in the nation. The presence of radon is only concerning at a specific level: 4.0 picocuries per liter. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to test your home for radon.
1 – Hire a licensed radon-measurement business. This is especially common in real estate transactions or home inspections.
2 – Tests can be purchased at local hardware stores or local health departments, which offer free or low-cost test kits.
3 – The DHHS has a list of test kit manufacturers who sell kits at reasonable costs.
“When the test kits arrive, they’re very easy to use,” said Zoeller. “Set them up and leave them alone for a few days. They absorb some of the air in your home, then you package them up and send them into the laboratory to receive your result.”