Housatonic Valley Health District strives to reduce radon exposure and promote wellness through education.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas which comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil. When emitted into open air, radon is rendered virtually harmless. However, when it becomes trapped in an enclosed structure such as a house, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels over an extended period of time.
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Free Radon Test Kits:
HVHD has joined the EPA and CT DPH to encourage residents to check their homes for radon by offering a limited number of free test kits.
- Test kits can be picked up from New Milford (10 Main Street, New Milford CT 06776) and Southbury (77 Main Street N, Southbury, CT 06488) offices during the month of January during their normal business hours.Â
- Limited to one test kit per household.
- Call 203.264.9616 or email eht@hvhdct.gov with any questions!
Resources
- What Everyone Needs to Know About Radon (English) (CT DPH)
- What Everyone Needs to Know About Radon (Spanish) (CT DPH)
- Reducing Radon: A 3-Step Process (English) (CT DPH)
- Reducing Radon: A 3-Step Process (Spanish) (CT DPH)
- Radon Info – EPA
- Find a Radon Test Kit
- Risk Comparison Charts
Updated: December 18, 2024