Protecting Our Community's Health
Radon- A Silent Killer
Citizens Urged To Test Homes For Radon, The Second Leading Cause Of Lung Cancer In The U.S.
A Radon Awareness Program is currently offered through the Henry and Stark County Health Department to raise awareness about the health hazards related to radon gas and encourage residents to test their homes. Radon gas is a serious health threat, but because it is invisible and odorless, people tend to ignore the possibility that there might be a silent killer in their homes.
Radon levels are elevated in about 65% of the homes in Henry County and 82% of homes in Stark County and cause more than 20,000 deaths across the U.S. annually. Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, radioactive gas that is present in the soil. It can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings and homes. Radon gas finds its way into the home through cracks and other openings in the foundation. Radon is a Class A human carcinogen, meaning there is actual evidence that exposure to radon causes lung cancer in humans. Those who smoke are at an even more heightened risk.
Testing your home is the only way to know if you have elevated levels of radon. Testing is as simple as placing a test kit in the lowest level of the house that is used on a regular basis, waiting three days, and placing a prepaid package in the mail. Your results can then be found online shortly after the lab receives your test kit. A limited number of these radon test kits are available at the Henry and Stark County Health Department, Environmental Health Division for NO CHARGE.
If radon levels above the EPA’s 4.0 pCi/L action level are detected in your home the problem can be fixed by a qualified, licensed contractor for a cost similar to that of many common home repairs. The Health Department can provide you with information regarding radon mitigation on their website, or through their Environmental Health Division if this is the case.