January Is Radon Awareness Month

Did you know that exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking? Is your house safe? Now is the time to check. January is National Radon Action Month and the American Lung Association in Connecticut is teaming up with the State Department of Public Health to encourage state residents to test their homes.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, radon exposure accounts for 7,000 to 30,000 deaths annually.

Radon is a radioactive gas that is invisible and odorless. It can enter your home through holes and cracks in the basement floor or from well water. Prolonged exposure to radon can cause lung cancer. The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to perform a simple test. The American Lung Association in Connecticut is offering radon test kits for $12. This includes tax, postage and handling, test results, and telephone counseling if you have questions. Since smokers are at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer if radon is present, information on quitting smoking will also be included.

To purchase your kit, send a check for $12 to the American Lung Association in Connecticut at 45 Ash Street, East Hartford CT 06108 or call 800-LUNG USA or visit lungne.org.

The American Lung Association of New England (ALANE) is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis, its mission today is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. ALANE serves Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.