January is National Radon Action Month.  According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services(NCDHHS), each year upwards to 21,000 people die from radon-induced lung cancer. Roughly 54 percent of those diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer are expected to live no more than five years after diagnosis.  The NCDHHS cites that an estimated 450 North Carolinians die each year due to radon-induced lung cancer. Unlike tobacco, radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is also natural. These characteristics make it hard to detect unless the home is tested.

According to the Center for Disease Control 77 out of 100 counties in NC have indoor air levels of radon above action level of 4pCi/L.  While there is no known safe level of radon, 4pCi/L is the level at which the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) recommends Americans repair this situation in their home.

The North Carolina Radon Program of the NCDHHS which educates families and homeowners about radon gas, how to test for radon gas and how to lower the radon levels within a home is providing free radon test kits. The radon test kits are available by ordering through the North Carolina Radon Program website. There is no charge for these kits; both postage and analysis costs are paid.