NEWS from the
TOWNSHIP OF IRVINGTON
"It is the goal of this administration to investigate and implement any initiative that will improve life in Irvington, and to do so with all due care, commitment and concern."
MAYOR WAYNE SMITH
January 12, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
MAYOR DESIGNATES JANUARY AS
RADON ACTION MONTH IN IRVINGTON
Mayor Wayne Smith has announced that January has been designated as Radon Action Month in the Township of Irvington, in cooperation with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection Radon Program.
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when uranium and radium break down in the soil and in rock formations. Radon gas moves up through the soil and finds its way into homes through cracks in the foundation and openings among pumps, pipes and drains.
"Radon is a serious health risk. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. But, because radon is invisible and odorless, it is easy to ignore this potential hazard in our own homes," the mayor said.
Radon is measured in picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. The average U. S. indoor level is 1.3 pCi/L. At 4 pCi/L, the risk of lung cancer from radon exceeds that of fire or other home accidents. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state DEP recommend that action be taken should the level be at least 4 pCi/L.
Fortunately, testing for radon is simple and inexpensive. The DEP Radon Program can provide a list of certified companies that provide testing services or do-it-yourself test kits, which can be purchased from hardware stores.
If the test indicates a radon problem, mitigation systems can be installed at a cost similar to those for other home repairs. A list of certified radon mitigation firms is also available from the Radon Program.
For more information, call the DEP Radon Program at 1-800-648-0394 or log on to www.njradon.org .
Return to news room
|
