1/4/24 - January Is National Radon Action Month

Health Departments are offering free radon test kits. Next to smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.

GRAND RAPIDS (Jan. 3, 2024) – (Press Release) -  The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is offering free radon test kits to residents throughout January, coinciding with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's designation of January as National Radon Action Month.

Radon, a radioactive gas, is undetectable by sight, smell, or taste but it can kill. The only way to know if radon is in your home is through testing. This is an ideal time to test your home as windows and doors are sealed for the winter and can lead to the accumulation of radon gas indoors, making its detection easier. The KCHD recommends all homes be tested every two to three years.

“Testing for radon is an easy and important step in protecting the health of your family,” said Russell Flewelling, supervising sanitarian, KCHD. “The kit is easy to use. Simply hang a filter inside your house for a few days and then send it in a self-addressed, pre-stamped envelope for testing.”

The testing kits are available during regular business hours at: 

• Kent County Health Department, 700 Fuller Avenue NE, Grand Rapids
• North County Clinic, 4191 17 Mile Rd. NE, Cedar Springs
• Sheldon Complex Clinic, 121 Franklin SE Ste 130, Grand Rapids
• South Clinic at 4700, Kalamazoo SE, Kentwood

Only one kit per household will be provided.

Residents using the kits and the State of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will receive the results. Residents can use the information when deciding on how best to pursue remediation, and EGLE gains a better understanding of the locations and prevalence of radon in Michigan. For help understanding the test results, residents should the KCHD Environmental Health Division at 616-632-6900.

Next to smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States claiming the lives of more than 20,000 thousand Americans every year, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. It occurs naturally in the ground and seeps into buildings through cracks or openings in the foundation of floors and walls, around sump openings, or spaces around plumbing. This affects both new and older homes, whether constructed over a basement, crawlspace, or slab-on-grade foundation.

EGLE has developed a map of radon risk zones for Michigan. Kent County is typically categorized as having a moderate to high levels of radon.

Those living in other areas of the state are also encouraged to check with their local Health Department.