HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Alabama residents are urged to take a step in protecting their health as radon, a leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, poses a threat. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, they are starting an initiative to raise awareness and reduce radon exposure by offering one free radon test kit per household.
Radon is a radioactive gas with no smell or visible presence. It is formed when uranium breaks down in soil and water. Radon becomes a health risk when trapped in buildings, potentially causing lung cancer over time. Symptoms of dangerous radon exposure include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says that 1 in 15 homes nationwide has a radon problem. In Alabama, 15 counties, including Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Shelby, and Talladega, are known to have the highest potential for elevated radon levels.
The Alabama Department of Public Health says the only way to tell if a home has a radon problem is to check with a radon testing kit. Alabama households can order a free kit online via the ADPH website, with recipients only responsible for covering the return shipping fee.
For more information about the ADPH and radon testing, click here.