$5 radon test kits for sale at Sharon Township Hall this month
Through the rest of January, you can purchase radon test kits for $5 each from the County.
submitted by Washtenaw County Health Department
January is National Radon Action Month, and the Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) is encouraging residents to test their homes for this harmful gas. Radon test kits are $5 instead of $10 through the end of January at Sharon Township Hall, open from 9am to noon on Thursdays, located at 18010 Pleasant Lake Road, as well as the WCHD’s Environmental Health Division and other local municipal offices.
“Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers in the United States,” says Kristen Schweighoefer, MPH, RS, environmental health director. “Every home in Washtenaw County should be tested for radon, and homes with high levels should be fixed. Winter is the best time to test because homes are closed tight and people are spending more time indoors. Testing during this time gives us the best indication of risk.”
Radon is a tasteless, colorless, and odorless radioactive gas found in nearly all types of soil and rock. Radon can enter homes through cracks in the foundation, crawl spaces, hollow-block walls, floor/wall joints, and openings around floor drains and sump pumps. It can become trapped inside and build up to unsafe levels. Due to the geology in this area, it is common to see high levels of radon in Washtenaw County homes.
“Radon exposure has no warning signs,” continues Schweighoefer. “Being exposed to radon doesn’t cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, or similar symptoms. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon exposure.”
Pick up a $5 radon test kit at one of the following locations through the end of January. Radon test kits will remain available for purchase at these locations after January at the regular price of $10. Other than Sharon Township Hall (open from 9am to noon on Thursdays), locations include:
- Salem Township Hall – Open from 9am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Located at 9600 Six Mile Rd in Salem
- Ypsilanti City Clerk’s Office – Open from 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday. Located in Ypsilanti City Hall at 1 S Huron Street in Ypsilanti
- Ypsilanti Township Residential Services Department – Open from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday (closed for lunch from noon to 1pmdaily). Located in the Tilden R. Stumbo Civic Center at 7200 S Huron River Drive, in Ypsilanti
- Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division – Open from 8:30am to 3pm, Monday through Friday (closed for lunch from noon to 1pm daily). Located in the Western County Service Center at 705 N Zeeb Road, in Ann Arbor
- Note: Some locations may have additional charges for using a credit card, and many municipal offices will be closed Monday, January 20 for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Homes should be tested for radon every two years since new cracks can form in the foundation and radon levels can change. In addition, if a home has a radon mitigation system, testing every two years is recommended to ensure the system is functioning properly.
Although no level of radon is considered safe, the EPA recommends taking action to fix a home when radon levels are above 4.0 pCi/L. If a home does have elevated levels of radon, a qualified professional can install a system to lower the indoor radon levels. Depending on the home and contractor, a typical radon mitigation system costs from $1,000 to $2,000.
For more information, visit washtenaw.org/radon.
The Washtenaw County Health Department promotes health and works to prevent disease and injury in our community. Our mission is to assure, in partnership with the community, the conditions necessary for people to live healthy lives through prevention and protection programs. Visit us at washtenaw.org/health or call 734-544-6700.
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