High Levels Of Cancer-Causing Gas Found In Almost 10 Percent Of NJ Homes

NEW JERSEY — The cancer-causing gas radon can be found in almost 10 percent of New Jersey homes, according to the American Lung Association.

January is National Radon Action Month, with environmental officials reminding residents to check their homes. And The American Lung Association’s “State of Lung Cancer Report” includes in-home radon testing data at a state-by-state level.

Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas with no color, odor or taste - and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America, behind smoking. It can seep into homes and buildings through the soil.

“Some geographical areas naturally have higher average radon levels than others, but since any home can be at risk for elevated levels, the only way to know is to do a test,” the ALA said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends taking action if interior radon levels are at or above 4 pCi/L (picoCuries per liter of air), to reduce exposure to the gas. These measures should also be considered at levels at or above 2 pCi/L.

In New Jersey, an estimated 9.8 percent of radon test results were at or above the action level recommended by EPA. This is on the lower end of the scale nationally - Hawaii had the lowest percentage of households testing over the recommended action level at 0.4 percent, and South Dakota had the highest at 59.8 percent.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection recommends that all homeowners test for radon, either by doing it themselves with a kit, or hiring a state-certified radon measurement business. Some local health departments and municipalities will also give out these tests for free.

The “State of Lung Cancer” report also examines rates of new lung cancer cases, survival, early diagnosis, treatment, and screening among different states. The American Lung Association said New Jersey “still has a lot of work to do to make sure that more of those at high risk for lung cancer are screened.”