January is National Radon Action Month, and University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Nevada Radon Education Program is offering free short-term radon test kits to Nevadans from now through Feb. 28, while supplies last.
Radon test kits are available statewide at Extension offices and partner locations.
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless and tasteless. It comes from the ground and can accumulate in homes and buildings, raising the risk of lung cancer.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates 21,000 Americans die each year from radon-caused lung cancer, killing more people than secondhand smoke, drunk driving and house fires.
“Lung cancer claims more lives each year than any other form of cancer, astonishingly impacting more women than breast cancer and posing a higher risk to Nevadans compared to the national average,” said Chris Kelly, Nevada Radon Education Program manager.
Nearly 26% of Nevada homes tested have radon levels at or above the Environmental Protection Agency’s action level, which is 4 pCi/L. Nationally, radon exposure is estimated to cause 21,000 deaths each year, making it the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
A simple three-day test can determine if a house has a radon problem, and winter is an ideal time to test a home for radon.
If radon problems are found, they can be fixed. It is recommended to test homes every two years for radon risk.
The EPA recommends using only certified radon professional, and a list of certified radon professionals in Nevada is maintained by the Nevada Radon Education Program.
Since the Nevada Radon Education Program began in 2007, more than 31,000 homes have been tested in the state.
(University of Nevada, Reno contributed to this report.)
