By: centraljersey.com
Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas. Unless you test for it, there is no way of telling how much radon is in your home.
The longer your exposure to radon, the greater the risk. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, causing as many as 500 deaths in New Jersey every year.
Lung cancer risk increases with higher concentrations of radon and longer exposure. Only smoking causes more cases of lung cancer, so if you smoke and are exposed to elevated radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
Breathing radon does not cause any short term health effects such as shortness of breath, coughing, headaches, or fever.
Radon comes from the natural breakdown (radioactive decay) of uranium.
Test kits are available from the West Windsor Health Department for $30. Whatever the radon level, the longer the period of exposure, the greater the risk.
While low levels of radon probably require no follow up measures, low cost strategies for further reducing any radon level include:
* Stop smoking and do not allow smoking in your home.
* Spend less time in areas with higher concentrations of radon, such as the basement.
* Whenever practical, open all the windows and turn on fans to increase airflow into and through the house. This is especially important in the basement.
* If your home has a crawlspace, keep the vents on all sides of the house fully open all year.
* If high radon levels are found and the home has a private well, call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 for information on testing your water.
Radon levels can vary greatly from season to season as well as from room to room. Higher concentrations may require follow-up ranging from repeated testing to immediate intervention. The screening measurement only indicates the potential for a radon problem.
For a list of qualified testing companies and/or mitigation contractors call your local Health Department at609-936-8400 or the NJ State Radon Program at 800-648-0394 or visit www.state.nj.us/dep/rpp/radon.p

