Radon Program
We Promote Radon Awareness
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can't see radon, and you can't smell it or taste it. Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That's because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
Where can Radon be found?
Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - and build up to high levels. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home. That's where you spend most of your time.
How does radon get into your home?
Radon gets in through cracks in solid floors, construction joints, cracks in walls, gaps in suspended floors, gaps around service pipes, cavities inside walls, and the water supply.
Test your home for radon! You can obtain a Radon kit from the Environmental Health Division for $5. The test is easy and quick. Please call 636-9203 for more information.
Environmental Health Division
City Hall, Room 1
730 Washington Avenue
Racine, WI 53403
(262)636-9203
Fax (262)636-9165
Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes.
Testing is inexpensive and easy - it should only take a few minutes of your time. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes for radon.
For information on Radon, go to: http://www.LowRadon.Org