NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Gov. Bill Lee has proclaimed January as Radon Action Month and now the state is offering free radon test kits for Tennesseans to test their homes.
According to a release, radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally-occurring radioactive gas that threatens people’s health when it is trapped in confined spaces such as homes. It’s produced by the breakdown of uranium in rocks and soils.
The only way to know if it is in a home is to test for it. To request a free test kit, click here.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation says it’s is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and it’s the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
“We hope Tennesseans will take advantage of the offer of free test kits,” Dr. Kendra Abkowitz, director of the Office of Policy and Sustainable Practices at TDEC, said. “We want people to be aware of the potential for radon in their homes, that testing for it is free and easy, and that there are ways they can mitigate it if they find they have a radon problem.”
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