Naugatuck Health District Presents Radon Awareness Virtual Program

Information via Naugatuck Valley Health District

NAUGATUCK, CT — In recognition of National Radon Action Month, the Naugatuck Valley Health District will be hosting a virtual information session on radon Jan. 25 at 6 p.m.

According to a news release provided by the health district, radon is a naturally occurring colorless and odorless radioactive gas. Radon enters the home through small cracks and holes in the basement.

Prolonged exposure to levels above 4 picocuries per liter can increase one’s risk of getting lung cancer. Public health officials have found that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., behind cigarette smoking and the leading cause among non-smokers.

If you smoke cigarettes and have radon in your home, then your risk of getting lung cancer is even greater. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an estimated 15,000-30,000 U.S. citizens die from radon-induced lung cancer each year.

According to CT DPH, high radon concentrations can occur sporadically in all parts of Connecticut. Two homes right next to each other can have different radon levels.

"Many homeowners or renters don’t think to test their homes annually," Director Jessica Kristy said in a news release. "The only way to find out if your home has radon is to test for it. With that being said, now is a good time of year to do so."

According to the health department, heating season is the best time to test for radon because your home is closed up, and radon levels tend to build up indoors. Their organization, along with the Department of Public Health, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association of Connecticut, are partnering together to promote radon testing and mitigation.

In addition to offering the information session, Naugatuck Valley Health District has 100 free test kits available on a first come first serve basis. To arrange to pick up a kit, residents can contact Health Educator Lisa Trupp at 203-881-3255, ext. 108.

If a resident is a homebound individual or has limited accessibility to transportation, please let the health department know so they can best accommodate everyone.

A test kit can also be purchased by calling the American Lung Association of Connecticut directly at 1-800-LUNG USA, visiting Airchek.com or by purchasing a kit at a local hardware store. Kits are valued around $15 so don’t wait, call today!

To register for the program, please use this link.

For additional information on radon, contact your local health department at (203) 881-3255 or the Connecticut Department of Public Health Radon Program at (860) 509-7367 or online at www.dph.state.ct.us.