Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Radon is a radioactive gas which occurs in nature. You cannot see, smell, or taste it. Radon has also been known to cause lung cancer, depending on the amount of radon and time exposed to it. It comes from the decay of uranium and radium in soil and rocks in the ground. The gas moves up through small spaces in the soil and rock on which the house is built and then enters the house through cracks in the concrete floors, walls, and floor drains.

Radon can be detected through testing. Two common radon detectors are the charcoal canister and alpha tracking detector. Both of these devices are exposed to the air in the home for a specified period of time and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results from devices which measure concentrations of radon gas are reported as "picocuries per liter" pCi/L.

Levels below 4 pCi/L are considered normal, whereas levels above 4 are considered above normal and should be followed up with additional testing. With minor modifications to the house, high radon levels can be reduced to safe levels. This is why testing is so important.

It is estimated that nearly 10% of Genesee County homes have radon levels above 4 pCi/L. Test kits are available at the health department during Radon Awareness Week. The cost of the charcoal canister test kit is $6.00 and the alpha tracking detector is $15.00. For more information, contact the Environmental Health Division at 257-3603.