Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Date: October 21, 2000
For Immediate Release
Kill Date: October 21, 2000

Contact: Daniel R. Thorell, M.S., R.S.

Environmental Health Sanitarian

Phone: (810) 257-3597 Fax: (810) 257-3125

G.C.H.D. Urges Radon Testing for Radon Action Week

Flint, Michigan – The Genesee County Health Department encourages area residents to test their homes for radon.

Joining with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), the Health Department is observing October 15-21 as Radon Action Week, an annual event representing a national effort to encourage Americans to test their home for radon, and, as necessary, take action to reduce exposure to elevated levels.

Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rock. It moves upward through the soil and enters buildings through cracks and openings in the foundation, including floor/wall joints, sump openings, and crawl spaces. Outdoors, the atmosphere dilutes radon, but indoors it tends to be more concentrated and can accumulate to unhealthy levels.

Exposure to radon increases one’s risk of lung cancer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is responsible for approximately 14,000 deaths nationally each year.

A statewide survey indicates that elevated levels of radon would be expected in one out of eight homes in Michigan. In some counties, as many as 45% of the homes could have radon test levels above the EPA recommended action guidelines of 4 picocuries per liter of air. Up to 10% of the homes in Genesee County may have elevated levels of radon, placing some area residents at risk of developing lung cancer from prolonged exposure to those levels.

Less than 1% of homes in Genesee County have been tested for radon gas. Radon levels vary considerably from house to house. The only way to find out if an individual home has elevated levels is to conduct a test.

Testing is easy and inexpensive. Kits are available year round from the health department for $6.00. During Radon Action Week, however, the kits are available at no charge. Some hardware stores, home centers, and other retail outlets also sell the do-it-yourself test kits. Professional testing services are also available, though they are most often used for testing as part of a real estate transaction.

Citizens interested in finding out more about radon can contact the Genesee County Health Department in Flint at (810) 257-3603. Health Department offices are open Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM. Information is also available by calling the MDEQ toll-free radon information line at 1-800-RADON GAS (1-800-723-6642).