Lansing, MI - Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared January 2024 as Radon Action Month in Michigan, and she encourages all Michigan residents to learn more about this environmental hazard and test their homes during the heating season.
You cannot see, smell, or taste radon, and there are no short-term side effects that could cause alarm or warn of its presence. However, long-term exposure to radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer, which accounts for more deaths in both men and women than any other form of cancer in the U.S., according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). EGLE aims to increase awareness of the health risks associated with elevated indoor radon levels, promote home testing, and encourage citizens to take action to reduce exposure once elevated radon levels are found.
Behind smoking, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and is considered a leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the U.S..
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon is responsible for about 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year. The risk of lung cancer from radon exposure is higher for people who smoke than for people who do not smoke.
Radon testing has increased in importance, as many Michiganders statewide, including those in environmental justice communities, remain unaware of the hidden dangers of exposure to radioactive radon gas. Testing is easy, inexpensive, and is the only way to determine if a radon problem exists.
Residents are encouraged to test for radon every two to five years. If a radon mitigation system was previously installed in the home, residents are encouraged to test every two years to make sure that radon levels remain in the acceptable range. This year, Michigan residents with an active radon mitigation system in their home will have an opportunity to participate in the 2024 Radon Mitigation System Study. Additional information about the study can be found via the link below.
Michigan.gov/EGLE/about/organization/Materials-Management/Indoor-Radon/Radon-Mitigation-Study
Residents interested in having their radon mitigation system inspected free of charge may complete an online form to register their interest in participating in the study.
In Michigan, one in every four Michigan homes is projectedave radon levels exceeding the federal action level of 4 picocuries per liter of air (4 pCi/L). Elevated radon levels have been found in all 83 Michigan counties. Radon poses a serious threat to our community’s health, but high radon concentrations are also easily fixed. To help residents learn about radon testing in their community, EGLE has produced a new interactive map of Michigan Indoor Radon Results, which can be view at Michigan.gov/Radon.
For more information about radon testing and other information including resources for homeowners, builders, Realtors, teachers, and health care providers, go to Michigan.gov/Radon, or call EGLE’s Indoor Radon hotline at 800-723-6642 (800-RADONGAS). For more information on lung cancer prevention strategies, please visit Michigan.gov/Cancer.
See: Gov Whitmer's Radon Action Month Proclamation
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