Free radon test kits available

Watauga County predicted to have high radon in homes

EPA estimates that about 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. are radon-related. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water. Radon is a form of ionizing radiation and a proven carcinogen. Lung cancer is the only known effect on human health from exposure to radon in air.

Radon is found in outdoor air and in the indoor air of buildings of all kinds. EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more. The average concentration of radon in outdoor air is .4 pCi/L or 1/10^th of EPA's 4 pCi/L action level.

Get a free radon test kit for your home at NC Cooperative Extension, 971 West King St. To learn more, go to http://www.epa.gov/radon/