To combat a silent but deadly health risk, the Detroit Health Department and the Macomb County Health Department have taken a stand against radon exposure by offering free radon testing kits to residents, a move coinciding with Radon Action Month. Invisible and undetectable through normal human senses, radon gas seeps into homes largely unnoticed and has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking, as affirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
During a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of radon, residents of Detroit can obtain these free kits throughout January and February. With an understanding that radon emanates from rocks, soil, and water, Detroit is reaching out to its citizens in an initiative to prevent radon-induced health issues. "Testing is the only way to learn whether your home has a high level of radon," officials from the Detroit Health Department emphasized, according to a statement obtained by WXYZ. These kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the 'Environmental Health' section on the 3rd floor of the DHD's offices, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Similarly, Macomb County residents are encouraged to actively test their homes for radon levels, a step endorsed by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Surgeon General, who recommend such tests be conducted every two years. By making kits available for free, the Macomb County Health Department is aiming to potentially lower the grim statistic provided by officials that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer amongst nonsmokers in the U.S., claiming thousands of lives annually. Those interested in reserving a radon test kit are prompted to call the department at 586-469-5236, as indicated in a CBS Detroit report.
The residence, innocuous on the surface, can harbor radon levels, especially in basements and lower levels where the gas is likely to accumulate. Providing details on how Detroiters can test their homes, Denise Fair Razo, the DHD chief public health officer, said "Hang it in your basement or lowest level of your home for three to seven days," in an interview with FOX 2 Detroit. The instructions include marking the start and end dates before sealing and mailing the kit for analysis. City officials expect the results to be provided within three to five days, recommending installing a radon mitigation system for radon levels at or above 4.
After the free distribution period ends on February 28, Detroit residents can purchase radon testing kits from the DHD for a nominal fee of $10 starting March 1, as revealed by the department located at 100 Mack Avenue in Detroit. The campaign is part of a larger state-wide effort announced by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who declared January as Radon Action Month in Michigan.
