As May marks Clean Air Month and Air Quality Awareness Week falls from May 4th to 10th, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments are urging residents to consider the dangers of radon. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second-leading cause overall. With up to 82 percent of homes in Stark County showing elevated levels, testing is vital. Radon test kits are available for $15 at Health Department offices in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon. More information on testing and mitigation can be found at henrystarkhealth.com or by contacting your local office.
The Health Department Staff notes, “Many people don’t even know that Radon gas is such a health threat. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas present in the soil and water that can build up to dangerous levels in the home. Radon gas is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and invisible and the only way to know if a home has a radon problem is to test for it. Breathing radon can increase ones risk of lung cancer. If you are a smoker, your risk is even more heightened.”
They add, “Radon gas found in 65% of homes in Henry County and 82% of homes in Stark County. Radon is a Class A human carcinogen, meaning there is actual evidence that exposure to radon causes lung cancer. It is the cause of 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States annually.”
For more information on the $15 Radon Home Testing Kits, call our location nearest you: Kewanee (309) 852-0197; Colona (309) 792-4011; and Toulon 309-852-3115. Find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.