Kick off the new year by testing your home for radon levels. January is National Radon Action Month. The Norwalk Health Department will distribute free radon testing kits in the Health Department's lobby (137 East Avenue) from 11 am - 1 pm on January 7 and 8, while supplies last. The kits were provided as part of the Radon Partnership from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) Lead, Radon and Healthy Homes Program. 

Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that is released into homes and buildings through cracks. Long-term exposure to radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. The risk for developing lung cancer is significantly higher for smokers that are exposed to the gas.

Radon levels vary throughout Connecticut. Levels of radon may vary in each home depending on the structure of the building; your home can have elevated levels of radon while your neighbor’s home does not. Because you cannot see, taste, or smell radon, the only way to tell if you have a radon problem in your home is to test for it. Testing involves placing a small device in your home for at least 48 hours and then sending the device to a laboratory for results. If you cannot get a kit from the Health Department, some are available for $14.50 from the American Lung Association’s online store by clicking here. You can also get testing kits at your local hardware store.

If radon levels are high (4 pCi/L or higher), CT DPH strongly recommends that homeowners hire a professional to help lower the levels. As with many home repairs, the cost of fixing radon problems varies. CT DPH estimates that the average cost of this service ranges from $1,200 to $1,500. 

For more general information about radon click here, and for a list of installers click here.  For more information about the Norwalk Health Department's radon kit distribution, please contact the Norwalk Health Department at 203-854-7790.