The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month. It is a time to raise awareness of radon and its potentially harmful effects. During this month, a number of public health officials and agencies are participating in education projects and are encouraging area residents to get their homes tested.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and chemically inert radioactive gas. It is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. Naturally existing, low levels of uranium occur widely in Earth’s crust. It can be found in all fifty states. Unless one tests for it, there is no way of telling how much is present. Exposure to radon in the home is estimated to be responsible for 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
A number of New England communities (e.g., Trumbull and Stratford, CT) offer radon test kits to their residents.
Presidential proclamation:
Presidential Proclamation – National Mentoring Month, 2014
Background information:
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