An invisible, orderless and tasteless gas is a leading cause of lung cancer, even among non-smokers. It also can be here in the Northwoods.
January is Radon Action Month. 1 in 10 Wisconsin homes have high radon levels, a cancer-causing naturally occurring radioactive gas. But a local health spokesperson says you can fix the problem in your homes.
Kyla Waksmonski of the Oneida County Health Department says it has been found in Oneida county and appears at random....
"....Oneida county has radon. There's no rhyme or reason to where it's located. One house can have it one side of the road and on the other side, it doesn't necessarily mean those homes have it. It is very hit or miss. We do have testing kits available in the ground near your home...."
Waksmonski says the problem can be there and you don't know it, and it can be deadly....
"....radon can seep through the ground and it contributes to lung cancer for smokers and non-smokers alike. It increased your chances of getting lung cancer by 10 times if you live in a home with high radon levels....."
Test kits are offered at the Oneida County Health Department for $10.00. Waksmonski says there are radon mitigation professionals in the state that can correct the problem. She says winter is a time when higher levels linger in homes because the doors and windows remain closed. You can contact your local health department for more information or go to the website www.lowradon.org
