Radon town hall meetings offered in Jackson County

Aug. 20, 2013                                                                                                                    13-0820

For More Information:
Brad Wurfel, 517-373-7917, wurfelb@michigan.gov
Leslie E. Smith, III, 517-327-2618, smithL9@michigan.gov
 
Public information sessions on radon levels in Jackson County

The DEQ and state Rep. Mike Shirkey will offer two public information sessions this week in Jackson County to help residents better understand the origins of radon gas.

Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, causing an estimated 21,000 new lung cancer deaths each year, with more than 600 of those in Michigan. Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless radioactive gas that originates from natural uranium found in soil and rock.

The information sessions will include a presentation by a DEQ radon specialist on the source of radon, its health effects and how to test for and reduce elevated radon levels. The average radon concentration in Jackson County is 30 percent higher than the U.S. EPA recommended action level.

Radon testing is easy and elevated radon levels can be reduced.  Jackson County residents are encouraged to come to one of the two public information sessions to learn more about radon testing, radon mitigation and radon-resistant construction techniques.

The following public information sessions will run from 5-7 p.m.:

August 21 – Brooklyn:
Brooklyn Super 8
419 South Main Street
Brooklyn, MI 49230

August 22 – Blackman Township:
Blackman Township Hall
1990 West Parnall Road
Jackson, MI 49201

Free radon test kits will be provided to the first 50 attendees at each public information session.

For more information on radon, contact the Statewide Radon Hotline at 1-800-RADON GAS   (1-800-723-6642).