In cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Radon Program, Lawrence Township Health Department has designated January “Radon Action Month.”
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when uranium and radium break down in the soil and in rock formations. Radon gas moves up through the soil and finds its way into homes through cracks in the foundation and openings around pumps, pipes and drains. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Because radon is invisible and odorless, it is easy to ignore this potential hazard in our own homes. Fortunately, testing for radon is simple and inexpensive. Radon is measured in picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. The average U.S. indoor level is about 1.3 pCi/L.
The NJDEP Radon Program can provide a list of certified companies that provide testing services or do-it-yourself test kits. Lawrence Township residents may purchase test kits from the Lawrence Township Health Department for $12. Test kits can also be obtained from many hardware stores.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the NJDEP recommend that action be taken to reduce radon levels if the level in the home is greater than or equal to 4 pCi/L. It is recommended homeowners test their homes for radon. If the test indicates an elevated level, radon mitigation systems can be installed at a cost similar to that of other home repairs. A list of certified mitigation companies is also available from the NJDEP Radon Program.
For more information on radon, please contact Lawrence Township Health Department at (609) 844-7089 or the NJDEP Radon Program at (800) 648-0394 or njradon.org.
