January is National Radon Action Month, and the Oconto County Health Department urges individuals to test their homes for radon.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Overall, it is the second-leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon is a gas that has no taste, smell or color. It can be found all over the U.S. and Wisconsin and can get into any type of building.
People are subject to the most radon exposure in their homes, since that is where they spend most of their time. The only way to know how much radon is in a home is to measure it with a test.
Radon test kits are available for $6 at the Oconto County Public Health Department. Tests can also be mailed to individuals for $8.50. Call 920-834-7000 to request a radon test kit.
The health department will record the name, address and phone number of the person using the kit and whether the first floor or basement of a home will be tested. The floor of the home in which people spend the most time should be tested.
Test results are kept private and are used to track trends in Oconto County.
Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has high radon levels, according to the EPA.
Radon can be controlled; more than 60 contractors in Wisconsin are nationally certified to install radon control systems.
For more information on radon, call the Northern Radon Information Center located in Marathon County at 715-261-1900 or visit lowradon.org.
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