The Burlington County Health Department is distributing free radon test kits to county homeowners so they can check their property for the radioactive gas.
About 100 kits are available as part of a partnership between the county and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to raise awareness and help safeguard local homes from the hazard.
“Radon is an odorless and colorless gas that can pose a serious health risk,” said county health department Director Dr. Holly Funkhouser Cucuzzella. “According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and is estimated to be responsible for about 21,000 deaths each year, including a significant number of people who have never smoked.
“Testing the air in your home is a simple way to protect yourself and your loved ones from this potential hazard.”
The gas is formed naturally when uranium and radium break down in the soil and in rock formations. Radon gas then moves up through the soil and can enter homes through cracks in foundations and openings around pumps, pipes and drains.
In New Jersey, close to 10% of radon tests equal or exceed the EPA’s action level of 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L). The average U.S. indoor level is 1.3 pCi/L.
The home test kits are simple to use and are offered free to county residents. If high levels of radon are detected, the health department can also advise on mitigation actions and certified radon mitigation professionals.
By law, all businesses and professionals conducting radon testing and mitigation in the state must be certified by the state DEP, which regulates radon measurement and mitigation businesses and professionals to ensure high-quality radon services.
Typical mitigation systems use a vent pipe and fan to collect and vent the gas from a home. Costs are usually the same as many other home repairs.
Homeowners can arrange to pick up a test kit while supplies are available by calling the county’s Environmental Health Coordinator at (609) 265-3739. For more information, call the state’s DEP at (800) 648-0394.
