Radon kits available

The Jefferson County Public Health Department will disburse 100 radon test kits free to the public in January, radon action month.

Both the Fairfield City Council and Jefferson County Board of Supervisors have issued proclamations recognizing the month. Radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer, is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring gas that can seep into any building, whether it has a basement or not, through the ground.

Jefferson County Sanitarian Dan Miller obtained a grant to purchase the test kits. The kits will be given away on a first-come basis beginning Jan. 3. They can be picked up at Miller?s office on the west end of the public health/fire department building from 9 a.m. to noon.

In the past, Miller has given away all 100 kits within the first two days.

Anyone wanting a kit must complete a form, agreeing to use the kit within two weeks and notify Miller of the results. Anyone who takes a kit, but fails to report the findings will have to pay $6 to replace the kit.

Iowa has the highest percentage of homes above the Environmental Protection Agency?s recommended action level: 4 picocuries per liter. Miller estimated 50 percent of local homes are above this threshold.

A home tested above the recommended action level can remedy the problem with installation of a ventilation system. Miller has a list of certified mitigation contractors ? though homeowners may complete the work themselves.

Anyone who takes a free test kit and detects elevated levels is not, however, obligated to take action. Miller said it is up to the homeowner.

?Every home should do this test. Just because your neighbor tests low, that doesn?t mean that your home will test the same,? Miller said. ?It is a great preventative measure against lung cancer. A radon test of over 4 picocuries per liter means you need to re-test, and if it is still at 4 or higher you will need to fix the problem.?

More information about radon can be found online at www.epa.gov/radon. Test kits also may be purchased locally or ordered online at www.iowaaircoalition.org. For more information call the Iowa Department of Public Health Radon Hotline at 800-383-5992 or Miller at 472-2561.