WUPDHD - Environmental Health - Other

Radon

The Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department (WUPDHD) announced today that it is joining with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the observance of Radon Action Month, a national effort to encourage Americans to test their homes for radon, and as necessary, take action to reduce exposure to elevated levels

Stating that some area residents may be at risk of developing lung cancer from exposure to elevated levels of radon gas in their homes, Lynn Tarbutton, WUPDHD Environmental Health Division Director said, “We are encouraging residents to test their homes for radon. Test kits are available for free at each Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department office.”

Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rock. It moves upward through the soil and enters buildings through cracks and openings in the foundation floor or walls, including floor/wall joints, sump openings, and other penetrations caused by plumbing, wiring, or ductwork. Outdoors, it is diluted by the atmosphere, but indoors it tends to be more concentrated and can accumulate to unhealthy levels. More than 1 in 8 Michigan homes could have an elevated indoor radon level.

In observance of National Radon Action Month, the Western U.P. District Health Department will be giving away free Radon test kits at each of its four offices. For further information, please call any of the health department’s offices, or call the MDEQ at 1-800-RADON GAS (1-800-723-6642)

DID YOU KNOW?:
-  Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States (only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths).

-  The Michigan Cancer Consortium estimates there are more than 600 new lung cancer cases attributable to radon each year in Michigan!

-  Radon is naturally occurring and is found in almost any kind of soil or rock in at least trace amounts.

-  It is tasteless, odorless, colorless, and radioactive.

-  While it increases your risk of lung cancer, it has no warning symptoms (it does not cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, skin rash, etc.).

-  It enters buildings through openings in the foundation floor or walls (sump openings, crawlspaces, floor/wall joints, cracks, etc.).

-  Nearly one in eight Michigan homes would be expected to have elevated radon levels!

-  In some counties, as many as 45% of the homes could have a problem!

-  Testing is easy and inexpensive, and test kits are available for FREE from the Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department

-  Radon problems are “fixable”!

-  The only way to know if your home has elevated radon levels is to test!

-  YOU should test YOUR home!

PICK UP YOUR FREE RADON TEST KIT FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY