Date Published: 01/24/2020 [Source]
Radon may be a health risk to you and your family, warns the Madison County Health Department which has issued a media advisory reminding homeowners to have their parcels periodically checked for the naturally occurring, potentially cancer-causing radioactive gas.
Exposure to radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, officials say, and people who smoke in their home have high radon levels have a high risk of lung cancer.
Radon comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and can enter any type of building through cracks and openings.
Homes can trap radon inside, where it can build up to levels that may impact health as they breath in air containing radon.
People are most likely to get their greatest exposure at home, where they spend most of their time, the announcement said, adding that any home — old or new — may have a radon problem.
Madison County is a high-risk radon county, officials said in the county's statement with approximately 42% of basements in Madison County homes having elevated levels.
Radon gas cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. The only way to know if there is a radon problem is to test.
Madison County Health Department is offering free radon test kits, while supplies last, to homeowners in the Towns of Brookfield, DeRuyter, Eaton, Fenner, Georgetown, Lebanon, Lincoln, Madison, Nelson, Smithfield, and Stockbridge, where radon testing rates remain low.
Residents are encouraged to call Madison County Health Department for more information about radon or the free test kits.