January 10, 2007

With holiday festivities now behind us, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Community Health are reminding homeowners that January is National Radon Action Month and to start the year off right by testing their home for radon.

"The good news is that once a problem is identified, elevated radon levels can be reduced," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. "I have had my home tested, and I am urging homeowners to take the same initiative."

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that emanates from the soil and seeps into homes through openings in the foundation floor or walls. It is believed to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among nonsmokers and may result in more than 600 new lung cancer cases in Michigan each year.

"You can't see or smell radon, but we know that only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths annually in our country," said DCH Director Janet Olszewski. "We encourage everyone to have their home tested regularly for radon, as it is the only way to know for sure if you and your family are at risk."

Michigan survey data projects more than one in eight Michigan homes could have a radon problem, and elevated radon levels have been found in every county. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site rates each county in the United States as a low, moderate, or high potential county. Since radon levels in Michigan tend to be spotty, the DEQ recommends testing to all Michigan residents regardless of their county's EPA rating.

Test kits are available from local health departments all across the state. The kits generally cost less than $15 and include postage to mail the testing device to a laboratory where it will be analyzed and the results reported back to the user. Kits can also be found at hardware stores and other retail outlets; however, not all retail kits include postage and analysis, so citizens are urged to carefully read the packaging before making their purchase.

Radon tests should be done in the lowest livable level of the home during the cooler months of the year, when windows and doors are normally kept closed. If the test indicates an elevated radon level, more testing should be done to confirm the problem and appropriate actions taken to reduce the levels when needed. Additionally, prospective home builders and buyers may want to consider using radon-resistant new construction when building their new home.

To find out more about radon, visit the DEQ Web site at www.michigan.gov/deqradon or call the DEQ Radon Program at 1 800 RADON GAS (1-800-723-6642) for a free packet of information.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"