The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated National Radon Action Week in the early 1990s as a means of increasing awareness about the health risk associated with exposure to elevated levels of indoor radon.  In October of 1992, then-Governor John Engler issued an Executive Declaration proclaiming the first Radon Action Week in Michigan.  Since then, the State Indoor Radon Grant Program and the State's local health departments have observed Radon Action Week every October.

This year Governor Jennifer Granholm has proclaimed the week of October 21-27, 2007, to be Radon Action Week in Michigan, and she encourages all Michigan residents to test their homes.  (Radon Action Week Proclamation and  Flyer)

Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rock, but it can leak into our homes through openings in the foundation floor or walls.  Breathing elevated levels of radon for long periods of time can increase one's risk of contracting lung cancer, and radon is believed to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.  Only smoking causes more lung cancers. 

In Michigan, nearly one in eight homes would be expected to have an elevated radon level, and in some counties more than 40% of the homes would be expected to have a problem.  Luckily, testing is easy and inexpensive, and elevated radon levels can be reduced.

Radon levels vary from home to home, and the only way to know if your home has a problem is to test.  So take the first step.  Get a radon test kit and test your home today!

For more information about radon, visit www.michigan.gov/deqradon.