January is Radon Awareness Month. Chenango County Public Health seeks to encourage residents to take proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with radon and create healthier living environments for all. Above, a Radon testing kit. (ES file photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY – January is Radon Awareness Month. The purpose of this observance is to increase the public’s awareness of radon, promote radon testing, and advance the knowledge of radon-resistant construction practices. Chenango County Public Health seeks to encourage residents to take proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with radon and create healthier living environments for all.

What is radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, colorless, and tasteless radioactive gas. Since radon is naturally occurring, it can be released in the air from rocks and soil. Radon can be found in the air outside, making it possible for radon to travel through cracks and holes inside of buildings and homes. Over time, the amount of radon starts to build up in the air.

Breathing in high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. Radioactive particles can get trapped in your lungs. Over time, the radioactive particles increase the risk of lung cancer. Health problems from radon do not happen overnight. It can take multiple years for health problems to become evident. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it is estimated that radon causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, making radon the leading environmental cause of any cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, with smoking being the first.

Radon Testing:

If you have never tested your home for radon, January is a good time to do so. You should also test your house for radon if you plan on buying or selling a home, before and after any renovations in your home, and if you are preparing to house someone in a lower level of the home, such as the basement. The test is easy, and the short-term test only takes a few days.

Radon Prevention:

Here are a few ways to reduce the chances of getting radon poisoning:

1. Increase air flow in your home by opening a window and using fans and vents to create more circulation.

2. Seal cracks in floors and walls.

3. If you are buying a new home, ask about radon-resistant construction techniques.

4. If you are a smoker, quit! Smokers have a 10 times greater risk of developing cancer from radon exposure compared to those who do not smoke and are exposed to the same levels of radon.

For more information regarding radon, follow the links below:

(county-radon.info/NY/Chenango.html) (www.epa.gov/radon/how-do-i-get-radon-test-kit-are-they-free

wwwn.cdc.gov)

Persons with questions or requiring additional information may contact the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1660.

- From the Chenango County Health Department