Stamford Health Department Now Offering Free Radon Test Kits

Information via City of Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — January is national Radon Action Month and the city of Stamford Department of Health urges residents to test their homes for radon gas, the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

From January to March of 2023, the Stamford Department of Health is offering free radon testing for Stamford owner-occupied homes only while supplies last. Stamford residents can call 203-977-2748 to obtain free radon testing kits.

"The radon testing program is an affordable way for home-owners to determine if there is radon exposure occurring in their homes," said Stamford Director of Health Jody Bishop-Pullan in a news release.

Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless, and testing is the only way to detect radon. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon causes more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year, the city said in a news release Tuesday. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.

If you smoke and your home has radon, your risk of developing lung cancer can be much higher, the city said.

The Stamford Department of Health and the State of Connecticut Radon Programs recommend that all Connecticut homes be tested for radon.

Testing is recommended during the winter months when radon gas tends to build up indoors.

The EPA recommends that homes with radon levels at or above 4.0 pCi/L be remediated. Radon remediation should be done by a qualified radon contractor. To learn more about radon and to obtain a list of qualified radon mitigation contractors, visit the DPH Radon Program website.