News Release
Genesee County Health Department
Dangers of Radon

The Genesee County Health Department would like to remind all Genesee County residents about the importance of testing their homes for radon, following the lead of State Health Commissioner, Richard F. Daines, M.D.  Genesee County has been identified as one of the 40 “high radon area” counties in New York State. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified radon as second only to tobacco use as the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.   Many homes contain radon concentrations that are high enough to give their occupants lifetime exposures, possibly increasing their risk of developing lung cancer. The risk associated with exposure is thought to increase linearly with increasing radon concentration, so the higher the average radon level is in a house, and the longer the exposure period, the greater the risk to the occupants.

Radon is a gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water.  It occurs naturally in the earth, but can become a problem when it builds up indoors.  It enters a home through cracks and openings in the foundation floor, walls, and through openings around sump pumps.  Because any home can have a high radon level, the only way to determine a radon problem is to test. Testing is easy and inexpensive, and can be done at any time, although it is best to do so during the winter, when windows are typically closed.

New York residents can obtain a radon test kit from the State Health Department for $6.75, which includes shipping, handling, and analysis.  Test results are sent directly to the individual submitting the kit.  To purchase a radon test kit, call the Health Department’s Radon Program toll-free at 1-800-458-1158 or contact staff by e-mail at radon@health.state.ny.us.  Test kits may also be available at a local hardware store.

Should a test show that radon is a problem, reliable, proven techniques are available to reduce radon levels. Radon levels are measured in units called picocuries per liter (pCi/L).  Remediation, which can be performed at any time of the year, is advised for homes with a radon level of 4 pCi/L or more.  Contractors, trained to identify radon problems in the home, are available in all areas of New York State, and those certified by the National Environmental Health Association or the National Radon Safety Board are listed on the Department of Health website, http://www.nyhealth.gov/radiation.  This website also provides additional information about radon, testing, and county maps of radon levels.

Informational packets, as well as instructions and request forms for radon test kits, are available at the Genesee County Health Department. 

For further information, please contact the New York State Health Department at radon@health.state.ny.us or the Genesee County Health Department at (585) 344-2580, extension 5569.