January is Radon Awareness Month

To mark Radon Awareness Month, health agencies throughout the U.S. are encouraging radon testing.

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless radioactive gas. One in 15 American homes contains high levels of radon and millions of Americans are unknowingly exposed to it. It is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.

Radon gas isn’t isolated to certain geographical areas or home types. Radon problems have been detected in homes in every county in the U.S. It caused more U.S. fatalities last year than carbon monoxide, fires and handguns combined.

If a home hasn’t been tested for radon in the past two years, the EPA and the Surgeon General advise residents to contact their state radon offices for information on locating qualified test kits or qualified radon testers.

In this area, the Marathon County Health Department is a radon information center and serves Oneida, Forest, Vilas and other area counties; call (715) 261-1900.

For more information, log on to dhs.wisconsin.gov/radiation/radon/index.htm