Deadly Gas Test Kits Available In Farmington Valley

A regional health district serving the Farmington Valley area has test kits available that could save lives if used properly.

The Farmington Valley Health District Tuesday announced it has free test kits at various locations, including the FVHD's Canton-based offices.

The FVHD serves the towns of Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, East Granby, Farmington, Granby, Hartland, New Hartford, and Simsbury.

The test kit availability comes as January is Radon Awareness Month.

Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless gas caused by the decaying of radioactive elements deep underground.

When released via fissures in the earth, radon can build up in homes, especially basements, unnoticed and can cause lung cancer.

Residents of FVHD towns can pick up a free test kit at one of the following locations (available while supplies last):

• Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon.

• Barkhamsted Building Department, 57 Ripley Hill Road, No. 1, Barkhamsted.

• East Granby Library, 24 Center St., East Granby.

• Granby Public Library, 15 N. Granby Road, Granby.

• Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury.

• Farmington Valley Health District office, 95 River Road, Canton.

Instructions for how to test are included with each test kit.

For more information on the Farmington Valley Health District, click on this link.