RADON TEST KITS AVAILABLE AT RC&D OFFICE
Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas. It comes from the decay of the element radium and is present in varying amounts in most soils. Radon enters the home as it moves through the soil into basements or lowest levels of homes through cracks, loose pipe fittings, sump pits, dirt floors, slab joints, or block walls.
In the outdoor air, radon becomes relatively harmless as it is diluted. However, once radon is trapped inside an enclosed space, radon can accumulate. The concentration of radon inside homes is dependent upon the amount of radon in the soil, the number of available paths into the building and the strength of the force drawing the radon into the building. Levels vary greatly from community to community, street to street and from home to home.
Once in the home, radon easily attaches to other air particles and can inhaled. The inhaled radon products stay in the lungs and release tissue-damaging radiation. Radon does not cause headaches, nausea, sneezing and other symptoms normally caused by indoor air pollutants. Radon’s only known health effect is lung cancer after prolonged exposure to high levels. Radon is considered to be the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Children are at a higher risk from long-term exposure because their lungs are still developing and the tissues are damaged more easily. Persons who smoke are also at about a 15 times great risk than a nonsmoker.
In Nebraska, over 50% of homes test above the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) “action level”. Last year this was mimicked in the NCDHD region as 50% of all tests conducted returned high.
Every home in Nebraska should be tested for radon. Only individual testing can determine which homes may have a radon problem. Testing is very easy and test kits are available through the North Central District Health Department for the cost of $8.00 plus tax. They can be picked up at the NCDHD office at 422 East Douglas in O’Neill, at local farm and home shows, Northeast Nebraska RC & D in Plainview or they can be mailed to you. Online ordering is also available at www.ncdhd.ne.gov. With questions, or to place an order call NCDHD at 1-877-336-2406.
The Northeast Nebraska RC&D Office is open Wednesdays, 10am to 4:30pm. Or you can call 402-582-4866 and leave message.
In the outdoor air, radon becomes relatively harmless as it is diluted. However, once radon is trapped inside an enclosed space, radon can accumulate. The concentration of radon inside homes is dependent upon the amount of radon in the soil, the number of available paths into the building and the strength of the force drawing the radon into the building. Levels vary greatly from community to community, street to street and from home to home.
Once in the home, radon easily attaches to other air particles and can inhaled. The inhaled radon products stay in the lungs and release tissue-damaging radiation. Radon does not cause headaches, nausea, sneezing and other symptoms normally caused by indoor air pollutants. Radon’s only known health effect is lung cancer after prolonged exposure to high levels. Radon is considered to be the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Children are at a higher risk from long-term exposure because their lungs are still developing and the tissues are damaged more easily. Persons who smoke are also at about a 15 times great risk than a nonsmoker.
In Nebraska, over 50% of homes test above the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) “action level”. Last year this was mimicked in the NCDHD region as 50% of all tests conducted returned high.
Every home in Nebraska should be tested for radon. Only individual testing can determine which homes may have a radon problem. Testing is very easy and test kits are available through the North Central District Health Department for the cost of $8.00 plus tax. They can be picked up at the NCDHD office at 422 East Douglas in O’Neill, at local farm and home shows, Northeast Nebraska RC & D in Plainview or they can be mailed to you. Online ordering is also available at www.ncdhd.ne.gov. With questions, or to place an order call NCDHD at 1-877-336-2406.
The Northeast Nebraska RC&D Office is open Wednesdays, 10am to 4:30pm. Or you can call 402-582-4866 and leave message.
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