Radon gas is believed to be the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke. The good news is that, in Kent County, only one out of every six homes tested has elevated levels of radon. The bad news is that a shocking 97.4 percent of homes have never been tested.
The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan aims to change that. On Tuesday, the HHC teamed up with South West Area Neighbors (SWAN) to kick off a radon testing campaign that will test nearly 250 homes by May 1.
“We did a dozen or so today; older homes along Jackson and Straight Streets,” said HHC’s Project Coordinator Paul Haan. “SWAN solicited folks that were interested."
"We went in and gave the homeowner information about radon, hung the test kit for them, and will return to pick up the test kit," Haan added. "We will let them know the results.”
This is the HHC’s first radon testing campaign, Haan said. They are going into the homes to personally hang and collect the kits because people tend to buy the kits and not follow through with the testing.
The test kits are heavy-duty envelopes containing charcoal. The envelope is opened and hung in a basement or ground floor room for three to seven days. The charcoal absorbs traces of any radon gas that might be present. Then the envelope is taken down, sealed, and sent to the lab.
The results are returned in seven to ten days. A numerical rating indicates the level of radon detected. Levels over 4.0 require remediation. Remediation costs vary from about $800 to $2,800
“Healthy Homes Coalition will work with the homeowners whose homes test positive for radon to find appropriate remediation resources,” Haan said.
HHC is working with Get the Lead Out, the Asthma Network, and Strong Beginnings to test other areas of Kent County. However, if homeowners would like to do the test themselves, test kits are available for $5 at the Kent County Health Department. The purchase price includes the laboratory testing costs.
Source: Paul Haan, Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan
www.healthyhomescoalition.org
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