PUTNAM COUNTY- Radon, a colorless, odorless gas, is the leading cause of lung cancer across the U.S. among non-smokers and for those who do smoke, it greatly magnifies the cancer risk.
Putnam Health Director Rian Rodriguez has reminded the public that radon “occurs naturally in the environment from the radioactive decay of uranium or thorium in the soil that often seeps into homes or ground water. Radon unfortunately is nearly everywhere. The risk of exposure to radon rises in winter because people spend more time indoors. Windows are shut and homes are sealed up to keep the cold out. This can cause radon to build up inside. The Environmental Protection Agency has developed a radon zone map that helps local organizations and government agencies, like the Putnam County Department of Health, to identify areas at higher risk. Putnam falls into a red zone with the highest potential for radon exposure.”
Rodriguez noted that one third of all homes countywide are believed to have levels high enough that action should be taken: “The only way to know if high radon levels exist in one’s home is to test it. While new residences are often constructed to resist radon, older homes must be tested and if levels are high, steps can be taken to reduce the risk. The only way to know is to perform an in-home test for radon.”
Home test kits are easy to use and readily available. They are available for $12.25 from the . They are also available for purchase at most home repair and improvement stores for $10 to $20, and online from the American Lung Association.
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