January is National Radon Action Month

The start of a new month means the start of a new awareness campaign encouraging residents to take care of their health. At the beginning of the year, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department promotes National Radon Action Month.

Radon is an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas, that present at high levels can impact health and lead to the development of diseases like lung cancer. The gas is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers in the United States and is linked to an estimated 21,000 deaths annually. Radon is naturally occurring, and seeps into homes through cracks in basement floors and walls, openings in duct work, plumping, and wiring.

The danger of its presence in a house is due to the gas tending to concentrate in indoor environments and reach unhealthy levels. The health department states approximately 10 percent of homes in the western Upper Peninsula tested have registered above the Environmental Protection Agency’s threshold of 4 picocuries per liter. Those positive radon tests average between 4 and 20 picocuries per liter, however, the department has observed some tests registering 100 picocuries per liter.

Winter offers the best opportunity to test radon levels indoors, and homes should be tested every two years. A free radon test kit can be picked up at the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department office in Hancock. Those interested in learning more about National Radon Action Month can find more information here.

Western Upper Peninsula Health Department Radon testing

WUPHD is located at 540 Depot St, Hancock, MI 49930.