Radon, a colorless, odorless gas, can seep into homes through their foundation and be deadly at high levels. In Wisconsin, 1 in 10 homes has elevated levels.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and approximately 962 Wisconsinites have radon-induced lung cancer. Fortunately, radon is easy to test for and leaks can be fixed. This National Radon Action Month, the state Department of Health Services is encouraging homeowners to test for radon.
“In Wisconsin, we have 17 Radon Information Centers around the state where experts are available to answer your questions and offer low-cost test kits,” says DHS State Health Officer Paula Tran. “Indoor radon levels tend to increase during the colder months, so now is the perfect time to test your home or building for radon if you haven’t before.”
While radon can affect anyone, children are generally considered to be more sensitive compared to adults due to their smaller lung sizes and faster breathing rates. Along with encouraging testing at home, Wisconsin continues to take steps to improve testing in spaces where children spend significant amounts of time.
More information can be found at lowradon.org.
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