What is Radon?
Many of us have heard of radon, but do not fully appreciate what it is and the risks it can pose to our health. It is an issue that many people choose to ignore, not wanting to discover that there is a problem in their home that can be costly to fix. However, radon can be a big deal for the health of you and your loved ones, making it important to take action to protect those you care about most.
Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas, which occurs naturally in the ground. Radon can enter your home through cracks in the floors or walls of your home, or if you have a dirt or gravel floor in your basement or crawl space. One out of ten homes in Wisconsin have high levels of radon. However, this rate of radon exposure is significantly higher in Jackson County. Of the homes tested for radon in Jackson County, in recent years, over one-third had radon levels greater than 4.0 pCi/L, which is considered the point at which a homeowner should take action immediately.
Why are levels of radon higher in Jackson County than in other areas of the state? There are many factors that play a role, but the sand and gravel that make up much of our soil is a major reason. More solid, dense soils can help to keep radon gas trapped deep in the Earth. Looser soils, like sand and gravel, allow the radon gas to easily move up and out of the soil, seeping through those seemingly harmless cracks in your basement floor.
Wondering why you should care and take action? To put it simply, radon can cause cancer. In the United States, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind smoking. For non-smokers, it is the leading cause of lung cancer. Over 2,900 Wisconsinites die from lung cancer each year, with an estimated 488 of those deaths attributed to radon-related cancer.
For a non-smoker, living in a home with a radon level greater than 4.0 pCi/L is considered equivalent to smoking 8 cigarettes a day, or having 200 x-rays per year. Having a radon level of 10.0 pCi/L in your home is equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes per day or having 500 x-rays per year. Yet unfortunately, radon is easy to ignore, due to having no immediate effects and not being seen or smelled in your home.
The first and most important step to take is to test your home for radon. While supplies last, Jackson County Public Health has FREE radon home test kits available through January. Radon home tests kits are available for pick up at Jackson County DHHS and at the village/town halls in Alma Center, Merrillan, Melrose, and Taylor. Simply stop in during regular business hours and ask at the main desk of each location. After January, kits will still be available for a small fee.
Radon home test kits are easy to use. Place the test kit in your basement or crawlspace for the amount of time designated on the package (usually a few days) and then mail it in. Once you have your results, visit www.lowradon.org to find your suggested next steps. Radon levels can also change over time, so it is important to test your home regularly.
The first simple step to reduce radon in your home is to repair or seal any cracks in your floors or walls. For cases where your radon level is only slightly above the acceptable level, this may be enough to bring your radon level down to a safe level. However, for higher readings, consulting with a radon specialist about installing a radon mitigation system is very important. Installing a radon mitigation system typically costs around $1,200. Installing a radon system in your home should reduce radon levels to below 4.0 pCi/L. This system can help to make a significant impact on your health for many years to come.
Take the first step in keeping yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy. Pick up your radon test kit today. If you have questions, you can reach out to Jackson County Public Health at 715-284-4301 ext. 382.
Jackson County: Healthy People, Strong Community.