Date Published: 01/02/2020 [Source]
Gov. Bill Lee proclaimed January "Radon Action Month." Tennesseans can pick up a free radon testing kit from The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) this month.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally-occurring radioactive gas that threatens people's health when trapped in confined spaces. It's the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., TDEC said, and the No.1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The only way to know if it's in a home is to test for it, according to TDEC.
Radon does not generally present a health risk outdoors because it is diluted in the open air. Radon can, however, build up to dangerous levels inside a house. A house can act like a vacuum, drawing radon through foundation cracks and other openings. Radon may also be present in well water and can be released in a home when the water is used for showering and other household activity.