What is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the soil. Any home can have high radon levels. It doesn’t matter if your home is old or new or if it has a basement or slab.  Radon can leak through cracks in your basement or slab, through the dirt floor of your crawl space or through openings around your sump pump.

Why is Radon a problem?

Each year in the United States exposure to radon gas causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths, approximately 1000 deaths each year in New York State alone. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Exposure to both smoking and radon gas greatly enhances the risk of lung caner. Radon gas is a health hazard, potentially lurking in homes in our community. You cannot see, smell or taste radon and most people are not aware that an elevated radon level may be a significant health concern in their homes.

Is Radon a problem in Cayuga County?

YES. It has been determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Department of Health that Cayuga County is a high - risk radon county. A large percentage of actual radon test results performed in homes within Cayuga County had radon levels above the EPA’s recommended level for taking remedial action.

What can Cayuga County residents do?

Radon test kits are available and can be performed by the homeowner. The Cayuga County Health and Human Services Department is again distributing radon kits free of charge to Cayuga County homeowners to encourage homeowners to test their homes for radon.

If an elevated radon level is discovered in a home, it can be corrected.  Health Department staff will be available to discuss the radon results with the homeowners, and, if necessary, provide technical information regarding what steps can be taken to reduce the radon levels in their homes.

If anyone is interested in testing their home and was is not receiving a kit from the Cayuga County Health Department they can call the New York State Radon Hotline (800-458-1158) in order to get a radon test kit. There is a cost for the kit. Kits can also be purchased at local home improvement stores. If a home contains high levels of radon, it is important to take action. There are contractors in all areas of New York who have met certain requirements and are trained to identify and fix radon problems in homes.

• Environmental Health - Radon

• Protect Your Family From Radon - NYS DOH

If you have any questions or would like more information on Radon, you may contact us at (315) 253-1405 or email us at cchealth@dfa.state.ny.us.