The Environmental Health Division of the Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that May 1-5, 2023 has been proclaimed National Air Quality Awareness. This designation helps to call attention to the fact that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer overall and the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. Therefore, the Department reminds residents they have Radon Home Test kits available for purchase through their offices in Kewanee and Colona. The kits are being offered at the low cost of $15 per kit.

The Health Department Staff notes, “Many people don’t even know that Radon gas is such a health threat. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas present in the soil and water that can build up to dangerous levels in the home. Radon gas is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and invisible and the only way to know if a home has a radon problem is to test for it. Breathing radon can increase ones risk of lung cancer. If you are a smoker, your risk is even more heightened.”

They add, “Radon gas found in 65% of homes in Henry County and 82% of homes in Stark County. Radon is a Class A human carcinogen, meaning there is actual evidence that exposure to radon causes lung cancer. It is the cause of 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States annually.”

Testing your home is the only way to know if you have elevated levels of radon. If radon levels, above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) action level of 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), are detected in your home; the Health Department can provide you with information regarding radon mitigation on our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or through our Environmental Health Division.

For more information on Radon Gas or the Radon Home Testing Kits call (309) 852-0197. Remember, you can always Find Us on Facebook or Follow Us On Twitter and Instagram.