Your family may be exposed to high levels of radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer.
One in four Michigan homes has high radon levels, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
Radon is a radioactive gas that builds up in homes over time and can't be seen, tasted or smelled. So, it's easy for radon problems to go unnoticed. Long-term exposure to radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
You should test your home for radon gas, according to the EGLE, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Surgeon General. They recommend taking action to fix your home if the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air or more.
Homeowners can test their homes with a simple kit. If a home has high radon levels, those can be mitigated and fix. Radon-reduction repairs can be done with the help of a licensed radon mitigation contractors.
Taking action to reduce your exposure to radon is a long-term investment in your families’ health and your home.