Stamford Urges Residents To Test For Radon In January

GREENWICH, CT — The City of Stamford Department of Health and Human Services will again be providing free radon tests for all Stamford homeowners throughout January.

"I urge residents to test their homes for radon gas, the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers," said Stamford Director of Health Jody Bishop-Pullan, in a news release. "This is a key prevention strategy to reduce your chances of developing lung cancer."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, radon gas is estimated to be responsible for over 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed from the natural decay of uranium. Radon is found in rock, soil, and water.

While radon in outdoor air poses a relatively low risk to human health, when it enters homes from the surrounding soil or groundwater, it can cause health problems.

Radon is invisible and odorless, so testing your home could save lives.

Testing is recommended during the winter months from January through March when radon tends to build up indoors.

Stamford residents may contact the Department of Health and Human Services at 203-977-4399 to receive a free test kit. Department staff will also be conducting outreach in the community.

Test kits can also be purchased from the American Lung Association or at local hardware stores.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends remediation for homes with radon levels at or above 4.0 pCi/L.

Homeowners should consider reducing their potential lung cancer risk with radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. Smokers exposed to radon have a much higher risk for developing lung cancer.

Radon problems can be corrected by qualified radon contractors, with costs typically ranging between $1,200 and $1,500, the city said.

A homeowner should hire a qualified radon mitigation contractor to decrease airborne radon levels.

To learn more about radon and to obtain a list of qualified radon mitigation contractors, visit the Connecticut Public Health Radon Program website.

For more information, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.