January Is National Radon Action Month

The Wyoming Department of Health wants families across the state to consider testing their homes for an invisible, odorless, tasteless and dangerous gas.

Radon occurs as a radioactive gas released from radium which is found in rocks, soil and water.

As radium in the soil naturally degrades, it can seep up into buildings, get trapped inside and grow in intensity.

The Department of Health says all homes have radon, however, with higher levels, the risks become a health concern.

Radon is recognized as the second leading cause of lung cancer.

Test kits for radon are available at most hardware stores.

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency defines an elevated level of radon as anything greater than 4 picocuries per liter of air, and recommends homes with elevated levels be fixed and tested every 2 years.