Date Published: 01/05/2020 [Source]
January is Radon Action Month — and Greenwich's Health Department is urging residents to test their homes for the potentially dangerous gas.
According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking, in the country and is the leading cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers. It is responsible for more than 21,000 deaths from lung cancer in the U.S. every year. One out of every five Connecticut homes has elevated levels of radon. It can come up through small cracks and other openings in a foundation as well as from faucets.
"This program demonstrates the department's commitment to protect residents from a serious public health hazard," town Director of Health Caroline Calderone Baisley said. "All residents are encouraged to test their homes for radon in both well water and air this winter. Testing homes for elevated levels of radon is simple and inexpensive even when the reduced-fee testing program is no longer available."
"Because you can't see or smell radon, people tend to downplay its health effects and ignore the possibility that there might be a silent killer in their homes," said Doug Serafin, director of the town's laboratory.
If radon is discovered it can be remediated. A list of certified state companies will be provided to residents whose test levels show elevated levels.