Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. Radon, a Class A carcinogen, is the second cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year (one every 25 minutes). In Florida, one in five homes tested has elevated radon levels above the action level of 4 pCi/L. Elevated radon levels hae been found in all types of buildings, including manufactured homes, schools, and high-rise condominiums.
Radon comes from the radioactive breakdown of naturally occurring radium found in most soils. As a gas in the soil, it enters buildings through small openings in the foundation. Since the building can hold the radon similarly to smoke trapped under a glass, indoor radon concentrations can increase to many times that of outdoor levels. The only way to know the radon levels in your home is to test.
Free Radon Test Kit Request
The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County’s Radon Program can provide free short-term test kits to homeowners who voluntarily wish to test their home and facilities that either are conducting initial or 5-year retest. For more information, call 352-334-7930.