October marks National Healthy Lung Month, and the Henry and Stark County Health Departments are highlighting the dangers of radon exposure. As the second-leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause among non-smokers, radon is a serious health threat, especially given that it’s found in 65% of homes in Henry County and 82% in Stark County. Residents are urged to test their homes, as the gas is odorless and invisible.
Testing home air quality is crucial, as elevated radon cannot be detected without it. Any level above 4 picocuries per liter, as set by the EPA, poses a health risk. The Henry and Stark County Health Department offers guidance on mitigation and further resources at www.henrystarkhealth.com. Affordable radon home testing kits are available for just $15. Residents can call Kewanee at 309-852-0197, Colona at 309-792-4011, or Toulon at 309-852-3115 to learn more. Stay informed and connected by following the Health Department on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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 one’s 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.”
