In cooperation with the state Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Radon Program, Lawrence Township has designated January Radon Action Month.
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of naturally occurring uranium in soil and rock. It enters homes through openings that are in contact with the ground, such as cracks in the foundation, small openings around pipes, and sump pits.
Radon is a known carcinogen. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Inhalation of radon and its decay products result in the deposit of radiation energy in surface tissues of the lungs. The more radon you are exposed to, and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of eventually developing lung cancer. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. However, because radon is invisible and odorless it is easy to ignore this potential hazard in our homes.
A significant number of houses in Lawrence Township are predicted to be above the acceptable limits for radon. Fortunately, testing for radon is simple and inexpensive. The NJDEP Radon Program 800-648-0394 or www.njradon.org can provide a list of certified companies that provide testing services or do-it-yourself test kits.
Lawrence Township Health Department provides test kits to township residents for $12.
If the test indicates a radon problem, a radon mitigation system can be installed at a cost similar to that of other home repairs. A list of certified mitigation companies is available from the Radon Program.
Homeowners with high indoor radon levels and private wells may want to test for radon in their water to determine whether the radon is from the ground or from the water before taking action.
For more information on radon, contact Lawrence Township Health Department at 609-844-7154 or the NJDEP Radon Program at 800-648-0394 or www.njradon.org. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Radon Hotline in Spanish can be reached from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 888-523-3187.

