Free Radon Test Kits available at BHSJ
Thursday January 17, 2019
Radon Action Month continues through the month of January and the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wants to remind residents that there are easy, do-it-yourself radon test kits available for free from the Environmental Health Department.
There is a limit of one kit per address. Kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and supplies are limited. Residents can pick up a kit at one of the below locations.
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Branch County – 570 N. Marshall Rd. Coldwater, MI 49036
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Hillsdale County – 20 Care Dr. Hillsdale, MI 49242
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St. Joseph County – 1110 Hill St. Three Rivers, MI 49093
The do-it-yourself kits include all fees and mailing costs, including the testing done by the lab.
Fortunately, testing is easy and if high radon levels are detected, it can be fixed. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is released from the soil. When it is outside, radon safely disperses into the air. Inside, it can become trapped and reach harmful levels. “Radon can't be seen, smelled, or tasted. The only way to know if your home is at risk is to test,” says Paul Andriacchi, Director of Environmental Health at the local Health Agency. “High levels of radon gas can build up in resident’s homes, making radon gas the second leading cause of lung cancer.” According to a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) survey, 53% of homes in Branch County, 52% of homes in Hillsdale County, and 33% of homes in St. Joseph County have had radon levels equal to or higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recommended level for action.