Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in those who do smoke – and that’s why Lawrence Township residents are being urged to test their homes for the invisible, odorless gas.
Radon, which is a radioactive gas, occurs when uranium and radium break down in the soil and in rock formations. It forms radon gas, which moves up through the soil and into homes through foundation cracks and openings around pumps, pipes and drains.
Radon is measured in picoCuries per liter of air. There is no safe level of radon, but the risk for developing lung cancer rises dramatically when the level of radon in the home exceeds 4 picoCuries per liter. The average level in an American home is 1.3 picoCuries.
When the level of radon meets or exceeds 4 picoCuries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection recommend taking steps to reduce radon levels. State-certified radon mitigation companies can be hired to install mitigation systems.
In the meantime, the Lawrence Township Health Department has radon test kits, which are available for $12. Residents can check on the availability of the kits or to request educational information about radon by calling the Health Department at 609-844-7089 on weekdays.
“Testing your home is easy and corrective actions can be taken to lower radon levels in your home to reduce the health risk which can be associated with radon gas,” said Lawrence Township Health Officer Carol Chamberlain.
The radon testing device should be placed in the lowest livable area of the house – a first floor without a basement, or a finished or unfinished basement, but not a crawl space. IT needs to be placed in an area where it will not be disturbed.
It must be placed at least 20 inches off the floor, at least 4 inches away from other objects, and at least 36 inches away from doors, windows or other openings to the outside. It only has to be placed 12 inches away from an exterior wall if there is no window or opening in the wall.
The test kits should not be placed in areas exposed to direct sunlight, drafts, or high heat or high humidity. They should not be placed in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or closets. Ventilation can affect the test results.
Lung cancer is the only known health effect linked directly to radon exposure. In New Jersey, as many as 140 to 250 lung cancer deaths of the annual 4,700 lung cancer deaths in the state are attributable to radon exposure, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.