Radon is an invisible gas that causes cancer, but when you know the facts, you can protect yourself
It’s easy to not think about radon—it’s invisible! But radon has an impact on our and our loved ones’ health and is a leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is dispelling common myths, promoting the facts, and helping Wisconsinites find affordable ways to test for radon at home.
“Just because we can’t see radon, doesn’t mean it’s not present in our homes and dangerous to our health,” said Paula Tran, state health officer and Division of Public Health administrator. “January is National Radon Action Month, and it’s important that Wisconsinites understand this often overlooked and misunderstood threat. DHS encourages all Wisconsinites to test their homes for radon and have conversations about radon with family, friends, and neighbors.”
Radon, a natural, radioactive gas, can seep into homes through their foundations. For people who smoke, having exposure to high radon increases the risk of lung cancer by 10 times. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year.
In Wisconsin, affordable testing is easy. DHS contracts with 17 county agencies across the state to serve as regional Radon Information Centers (RICs) that provide locally tailored radon education and outreach to all 72 Wisconsin counties. Since 2010, RICs have distributed over 100,000 free or reduced-cost radon test kits to residents and provided over 2,000 consultations about radon every year.
Kits are approximately $15 at an RIC or their affiliate local health departments, and that cost includes laboratory analysis. Visiting an RIC has the added benefit of talking to health department staff professional trained in radon measurement. Radon test kits found online or at hardware stores can cost $30, which includes the kit and separate laboratory analysis costs.
Find more information about radon and RIC locations at lowradon.org.
