DEQ promotes radon awareness, testing, and mitigation

HELENA — Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless and colorless gas that can pose a significant health problem for people living in certain areas of Montana where levels can run high.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated January as National Radon Action Month. Montanans are urged to protect their health by testing their homes. High radon levels can be easily addressed and successfully mitigated, according to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

After tobacco smoke, radon may be the most potent carcinogen in a home. It can build to unhealthy levels, especially during colder months when windows and doors are kept closed. Invisible radioactive gas can seep into a home from the natural underground geology. The EPA estimates that 21,000 people die each year from lung cancer caused by exposure to radon and it is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths in non-smokers.

Nearly 80 percent of American homes have not been tested for radon, even though the testing is easy and inexpensive. That figure is too low according to the EPA and the Surgeon General.

"Testing the home is the first step," said Paul Tschida of the DEQ. "Qualified contractors can usually address high radon levels through a simple ventilation system. New homes can easily incorporate radon-resistant features during construction."

For about $20, people can purchase a radon testing kit from a local hardware or store or through the American Lung Association. The kits include a stamped, self-addressed envelope for sending the test canister to an authorized laboratory for analysis. Results are generally sent back to the homeowner within two weeks.

The EPA estimates that one in four Montana homes will have a radon level of four PicoCuries per liter (pCi/L) of air or more, a level the agency considers high. If a high level is identified, people can contact the DEQ Radon Hotline for advice. Most solutions are simple and relatively inexpensive ventilation systems. The EPA estimates remediation costs for most homes in Montana to be about $1,500.

For more information about radon, visit: www.epa.gov/radon or call the Montana Radon Hotline at: 1-800-546-0483.