Any building can have a high level of radon, so it is important to test your home for radon. Testing is easy and inexpensive. The Northern Kentucky Health Department has a limited number of free radon test kits available for residents of Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties.
“Winter is the best time to test for radon,” said Laura Strevels, environmental program manager. “Doors and windows are closed and more accurate readings can be obtained. Because radon levels can vary widely from house to house—even in houses on the same street—it is important to test for radon. In new houses, it is best to wait until after the home has been occupied.”
Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that can seep into a home and lead to serious health risks. Exposure to the gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. One in 15 homes in the United States has elevated radon levels, causing up to 20,000 deaths each year.
Radon is common in the Northern Kentucky region. Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties have been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as being at moderate risk for elevated radon levels.
If radon levels are found to be high, levels can be lowered by fairly simple, low-technology methods, which must be designed and installed by professional contractors to ensure their effectiveness.
For a free radon test kit or more information on radon or other indoor air quality questions, contact Strevels at 859-363-2022 or Laura.Strevels@nkyhealth.org.
From Northern Kentucky Health Department