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The Waynedale News
Health & Exercise

HAS YOUR HOME BEEN TESTED FOR RADON?

Cindy Cornwell

If your home is over 100 years old, recently built, or you are about to close on a new residence, it is still important to have it tested for radon according to the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health.

Radon is found in our soil, rocks and water. It is a naturally-occurring, radioactive gas that is formed from the breakdown of uranium. It has no color, odor or taste. And, can be found in all 50 states.

“Unless you test for it, there is no way of knowing the amount of radon present in your home,” said Megan Tinkel, the department’s director of communications. “Radon comes from the soil or rocks underneath the structure of your home.”

“Your house is very much like a vacuum, which draws the radon from the soil, through the small cracks in your walls and flooring, or openings around pipes or wires. Once the gas gets inside your home, it becomes trapped and will accumulate,” said the spokeswoman from the Department of Health.

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If the levels of radon in your home is high enough there is a potential danger. U.S. Surgeon General Adams identified radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer. 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year.

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health is encouraging residents to reduce their risk of lung cancer by having their homes tested. Testing is simple and can be a “do-it-yourself” project.

The test for radon is done in the lowest occupied area of your home. When you do the test, keep all windows and doors closed for accurate results.

After following the directions, you mail the test to the self-addressed location on the envelope. There is no charge for the test result. The test results will be sent back to the customer. Directions are easy and informative.

The radon testing kits can be found at local hardware or home improvement stores for around $30 or, at the following locations with no cost to you, while supplies last:

Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health
200 E. Berry St., Suite 360
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Vector Control & Environmental Services
2242 Carroll Road
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Closed from 12-1 p.m. for lunch)

Grabill Town Hall
13717 1st St.
Monday – Thursday
9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Leo-Cedarville Town Hall
13909 Pony Express Run
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Monroeville Utility Department
101 S Water St.
New Haven Utility Payment Office
City Hall, 815 E Lincoln Hwy.
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Woodburn City Hall
22735 Main St.
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Drafty or well-sealed, your home could still test high for radon. The only way to know if you are being exposed is to run the test.

Don’t panic if a high radon level is detected in your home. A professionally installed reduction system can fix the problem of radon from beneath your home and release it harmlessly into the outdoor air. It is an easily resolved issue. Get your home tested.

Cindy Cornwell
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Cindy Cornwell

She started her newspaper career over 10 years ago beginning as a sales executive, progressing as copy editor, graphic and paper designer, and former Executive Editor. She enjoys writing about the great place to live, shop, work and play; Waynedale. > Read Full Biography > More Articles Written By This Writer