The month of January has been designated as “Radon Awareness Month” by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH).
Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless and invisible gas naturally released from rocks, soil, and water, that can have a big impact on indoor air quality and your health. Radon can get into homes or buildings through small cracks or holes and build up to higher levels.
Radon is a serious health risk facing tens of thousands of Americans. According to Chesprocott Health District’s Health Director, Maura Esposito, “We can’t see, smell, or taste it, so it’s easy to forget that radon may be a problem in any home, school, or building. The only way to know if you have radon is to test for it.”
Exposure to radon gas causes more than 20,000 deaths annually and it is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers (EPA).
Chesprocott Health District will offer free radon testing kits to Cheshire, Prospect and Wolcott residents on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents may visit the Chesprocott office at 1247 Highland Ave. to pick up their kit starting Jan. 11. To ensure residents place their kits and return them in a timely manner, Chesprocott asks that a $20 deposit be left when the kit is picked up. Once the resident returns the completed test kit to the office, the $20 will be returned to the owner. Quantities are limited. No reservations will be taken.
This initiative is a great opportunity to increase your own awareness of radon and the risk associated with it. Mitigation information will be provided to those who test with high levels.
To sign-up for a free radon testing appointment, call (203) 272-2761. This initiative is paid through a grant from the Connecticut Department of Public Health.