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January is National Radon Action Month and the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's Radon Education Program is offering two radon presentations in Douglas County. The first is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 11, at the Sheridan Volunteer Fire Department, 980 Sheridan Lane, in Gardnerville. The second is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 14, from at Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, 128 Market St., in Stateline.
Included in the presentation will be information about radon, the health risk associated with radon, and results of area testing. In addition, learn what a certified contractor will do to reduce high radon levels in your home.
Elevated radon levels have been found in 59 percent of tested homes in Glenbrook, 66 percent of tested homes in Zephyr Cove and 68 percent of tested homes in Stateline.
Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air but can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon causes more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.
“It is a serious health risk that is preventable and fixable,” said UNCE Extension Educator Steve Lewis. “People need to take radon more seriously and be aware of the health effects and the possibility that there might be a dangerous gas in their homes.”
Lewis urged area residents to take steps in January – National Radon Action Month – by testing their homes for radon. Simple and free radon test kits can be obtained at the public meeting as well as at the Douglas County Cooperative Extension office, 1329 Waterloo, in Gardnerville.
“Test kits purchased at local hardware and home improvement stores can cost $20 or more, but our program is offering free test kits as a service to Nevada residents,” Lewis said.
For information on radon, radon testing and mitigation, and building new homes with radon-resistant features, call UNCE Douglas County Cooperative Extension at 775-782-9960, visit UNCE's Radon Education Program Web site at www.unce.unr.edu/radon or visit EPA's National Radon Action Month Web site at www.epa.gov/radon/nram.
Included in the presentation will be information about radon, the health risk associated with radon, and results of area testing. In addition, learn what a certified contractor will do to reduce high radon levels in your home.
Elevated radon levels have been found in 59 percent of tested homes in Glenbrook, 66 percent of tested homes in Zephyr Cove and 68 percent of tested homes in Stateline.
Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air but can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon causes more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.
“It is a serious health risk that is preventable and fixable,” said UNCE Extension Educator Steve Lewis. “People need to take radon more seriously and be aware of the health effects and the possibility that there might be a dangerous gas in their homes.”
Lewis urged area residents to take steps in January – National Radon Action Month – by testing their homes for radon. Simple and free radon test kits can be obtained at the public meeting as well as at the Douglas County Cooperative Extension office, 1329 Waterloo, in Gardnerville.
“Test kits purchased at local hardware and home improvement stores can cost $20 or more, but our program is offering free test kits as a service to Nevada residents,” Lewis said.
For information on radon, radon testing and mitigation, and building new homes with radon-resistant features, call UNCE Douglas County Cooperative Extension at 775-782-9960, visit UNCE's Radon Education Program Web site at www.unce.unr.edu/radon or visit EPA's National Radon Action Month Web site at www.epa.gov/radon/nram.
