EAGLE RIVER -- The Vilas County Health Department says January is National Radon Awareness Month. Because Radon is odorless and tasteless, it can be a dangerous health hazard in your home since it can persist undetected. Radon is a radioactive gas that is naturally released in rock, soil, and water from the natural decay of uranium. It is found throughout the United States.

            Outdoor levels are typically very low and are not a threat to human health. However, Radon can accumulate to dangerous levels inside buildings. The only way to know if your home is safe is to test. Should unsafe levels of Radon be found in your home, there are steps that can be taken to remove the Radon from the home. The cost of making repairs to reduce hazardous Radon levels will depend on several factors, but most Radon issues can be fixed for a moderate charge.

            Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among non-smokers in America, claiming about 20,000 American lives each year. Don’t let Radon include you or your family on that list.

            You can easily prevent continuous exposure to high levels of radon by testing for Radon in your home with a kit supplied by the Vilas County Public Health Department. To obtain a Radon screening kit, call the Vilas County Public Health Department at 715-479-3656 and press 9. Each kit costs just $8.00 and is simple to use.

Although Radon poses a significant health risk, it can easily and cost effectively be controlled.

            Contact the Vilas County Public Health Department at 715-479-3656, and press 9 or visit www.VilasPublicHealth.com/ehradon.htm for more information about Radon.