RADON TESTING
You can't see radon or smell or taste it but it may be a problem in your home. Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation and builds up in your home. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among non-smokers. The only way to find out if you have elevated radon levels in your home is to conduct a simple test.
The Franklin County Board of Health has received a grant from the Ohio Department of Health to provide short- term radon test kits for Franklin County residents at no cost in 2006. Worthington Fire is participating in this program, simply stop by our station for a free test kit. You will have to print your name, address and zip code on a Sign-Out Sheet, and your kit's serial number will also be recorded. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and the University of Toledo will use results to map the extent of radon contamination in Ohio. Each result gives them more data to use to make decisions concerning the potential risk to Ohio residents from radon. They do NOT release your personal information to any agency or private individual.
If you pick up a test kit, please use it as soon as you can. Follow the directions in the package that accompany the kit. When you've finished testing, place the kit in the pre-paid mailer, and send it to the manufacturer for analysis. There is no cost to you for the analysis. Your results will be available from the testing lab's web site a few days after they receive your kit. Further details are included in the test kits, or you may contact Mike Lopinsky at the Franklin County Board of Health, (614) 462-4537.
For further information, visit Franklin County Board of Health