Galloway Recognized for Efforts to Combat Radon

It’s January once again, and with January comes another Radon Action Month. With that comes some positive recognition for

Galloway is one of a combination of eight towns, health departments and organizations across the state being recognized by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for its efforts to call attention to the dangers of Radon.

Radon is a radioactive chemical element that occurs naturally as part of the normal radioactive decay chain of uranium or thorium. It is odorless, colorless and tasteless, and is responsible for thousands of deaths each year.

Galloway Radon Coordinator Diane Grams said this year was particularly difficult considering the reduction in the number of township employees over the last 12 months.

Fortunately for the township, only about five percent of Galloway is affected by Radon. Radon is found mostly in the northern portion of the state, according to the New Jersey Radon Potential Map. The map is attached to this story.

According to Atlantic County Healthy Living Coalition Coordinator Angela A. Bailey, Galloway still falls into the category of “moderate risk” which is the highest of any area in the county.

She will hold a workshop demonstration about Radon on Tuesday night, Jan. 24 at the from 6:30-8 p.m. as part of Radon Action Month.

Galloway was among those honored by the state with a Radon Action Partnership Award. The other recipients included Atlantic County Healthy Living Coalition; Bergen County Department of Health Services; Jefferson Township Health Department; Livingston Department of Health, Welfare, and Human Services; North Plainfield; Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management; and the Passaic County Department of Health, according to an NJDEP announcement that came out last week.

"Their enthusiasm, leadership, and innovation were evident in numerous activities that were conducted during 2011 National Radon Action Month, and throughout last year,'' DEP Radon Section Supervisor Anita Kopera said in the release. "Efforts included public presentations and public service announcements, website postings, radon test kit distribution, press releases, exhibits at housing, environmental, and health fairs; and proclamations and radon awareness displays.''

The township also received this award last year.

The DEP encourages residents to test their homes for Radon themselves or to hire a New Jersey certified radon measurement business to perform the testing. Devices also are available from certified radon measurement businesses through mail order, and test devices are often available in hardware stores, according to the county.

Lists of New Jersey certified testing and mitigation businesses and general radon information are available at njradon.org or call the Radon Section Information Line at 1-800-648-0394 or 609-984-5425.