(WNY News Now) During National Radon Awareness Week, Chautauqua County encourages everyone to be tested for radon because it is still the second-leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States.
AYVILLE, N.Y. January 27–31 is National Radon Awareness Week. The second most common cause of lung cancer fatalities is radon. The Chautauqua County Health Department urges citizens to test their houses for radon in order to ascertain whether they are at danger of radon exposure in an effort to safeguard the county’s public health.
Naturally occurring in rocks, soil, and water, radon is an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas. Soil, tiny holes or cracks in your home’s foundation, or water from a well or sump pump pit can all allow radon to enter buildings and homes. Since radon is a heavy gas, lower floors of a building, such a basement, will have higher radon levels. Lung cancer can develop as a result of prolonged exposure to high radon levels.
The air in buildings and homes can accumulate radon. Radon’s radioactive decay products might become lodged in your lungs when you breathe it in. These radioactive elements raise the risk of lung cancer over time. Years may pass before health issues manifest.
According to estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is responsible for roughly 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the US annually. After smoking cigarettes, radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer mortality. Compared to those who do not smoke and are exposed to the same levels of radon, those who smoke and are exposed to radon have a tenfold increased risk of lung cancer.
The only method to determine whether your home has high radon levels is to test it. Today, you can get a free radon test kit from the Chautauqua County Health Department!
Check the radon levels in your house:
- If it s never been tested or radon levels are unknown
- When preparing to buy or sell
- Before and after any renovations, especially after making any repairs to reduce radon levels
- Before making any lifestyle changes in the home that would cause someone to spend more time in the basement or lower level (like converting a basement to a bedroom)
According to Jessica Wuerstle, the Director of Environmental Health for Chautauqua County, the ideal time of year to test your house for radon is during the colder months when windows and doors are usually closed. The only way to determine whether you and your family are at risk is to have your house tested for radon.
Additional actions to take:
Other steps you can take to lower elevated radon levels in your home and safeguard yourself against a higher risk of lung cancer are suggested by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Increase air flow by opening windows and using fans and vents to circulate air.
- Seal cracks in floors and walls with plaster, caulk, or other materials designed for this purpose.
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Visit
https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/radon/
to find certified contractors able to test for and mitigate radon. Always test again after work is completed to make sure you ve fixed your radon problem.
- Ask about radon-resistant construction techniques if you are building a new home or planning to remodel. It is usually cheaper and easier to build these features into new homes than to add them later.
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Find free support and resources to help stop smoking at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or at
CDC.gov/quit
. Smoking significantly increases the risk of lung cancer from radon.
Visit the EPA’s Radon website at EPA.gov/radon or give the National Radon Hotline a call at 1-800-SOS-RADON for more information on how to test your house.
Residents of Chautauqua County can obtain a limited number of free radon test kits from the Chautauqua County Health Department. Contact the Environmental Health office at 716-753-4481 to obtain your free radon test kit and more information.
Concerning the Health Department of Chautauqua County The premier public health agency in Chautauqua County devoted to promoting community health is the Chautauqua County Health Department. In order to help prevent disease, safeguard the public’s health, and advance the general health and welfare of our community, the Health Department employs creative strategies to offer technical assistance to partner groups and provides a range of programs and services. To learn more, go to www.HealthyCHQ.com.