Tag Archives: National Radon Action Month

DHEC Marks National Radon Action Month By Raising Awareness of Radon and Free Test Kits

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January is National Radon Action Month, and DHEC is encouraging all South Carolinians to test their homes for radon. You can request a free home test kit by clicking here.  

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell or taste. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that it is the second leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.  

Any home can have a radon problem. The only way to determine if your home is trapping radon gas is to test. 

Quick Facts about Radon: 

  • Breathing in radon can change the cells in your lungs, which increases your chances for lung cancer. 
  • Radon is responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. 
  • Smokers who are exposed to radon have a much higher risk of lung cancer. 
  • Elevated radon concentrations have been found across South Carolina. 
  • Homes can be modified to reduce radon levels. 
  • New homes can be built with radon-resistant features. 
  • South Carolina has nationally-certified professionals who can fix homes with elevated radon levels. 

The South Carolina Radon Program provides a radon test kit to homeowners free of charge. To learn more about radon or request your free home test kit, please click here. 

January is National Radon Action Month

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January is National Radon Action Month, and DHEC is encouraging all South Carolinians to test their homes for radon.

Radon is a cancer causing, radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste, and is responsible for more than 21,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Smokers who are exposed to radon have an even higher risk of lung cancer.

Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Any home can have a radon gas problem. The only way to determine if your home is trapping radon is to test.

Each year, the South Carolina Radon Program provides a limited number of radon test kits to homeowners free of charge. Request your free home test kit at www.scdhec.gov/radon.

Homes can be modified to reduce radon levels, and new homes can be built with radon-resistant features. South Carolina has nationally certified radon professionals who can measure radon and fix homes with elevated radon. Find a certified mitigation specialist.

Governor’s Proclamation

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued an official proclamation recognizing January 2020 as Radon Action Month.

January is National Radon Action Month

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This month is National Radon Action Month, and DHEC is encouraging all South Carolinians to test their homes for radon. Request your free home test kit today!

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Any home can have a radon gas problem. The only way to determine if your home is trapping radon is to test.

Quick Facts about Radon

  • Breathing in radon can change the cells in your lungs, which increases your chances for getting lung cancer.
  • Radon is responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S.
  • Smokers who are exposed to radon have a much higher risk of lung cancer.
  • Elevated radon concentrations have been found across South Carolina.
  • Radon levels of 70.0 pCi/L and higher have been found in South Carolina.
  • Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels.
  • Homes can be modified to reduce radon levels.
  • New homes can be built with radon-resistant features.
  • South Carolina has nationally certified radon professionals who can measure radon and fix homes with elevated radon.

The South Carolina Radon Program provides radon test kits to homeowners free of charge. Request your free home test kit at www.scdhec.gov/radon.

Get Your Home Tested For This Silent Killer

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This month is National Radon Action Month, and DHEC is encouraging all South Carolinians to test their homes for the silent killer.

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Any home can have a radon gas problem. The only way to determine if your home is trapping radon is to test.

Quick Facts about Radon

  • Breathing in radon can change the cells in your lungs, which increases your chances for getting lung cancer.
  • Radon is responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S.
  • Smokers who are exposed to radon have a much higher risk of lung cancer.
  • Elevated radon concentrations have been found across South Carolina.
  • Radon levels as high as 70.0 pCi/L and higher have been found in South Carolina.
  • Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels.
  • Homes can be modified to reduce radon levels.
  • New homes can be built with radon-resistant features.
  • South Carolina has nationally certified radon professionals who can measure radon and fix homes with elevated radon.

The South Carolina Radon Program provides radon test kits to homeowners free of charge. Request your free home test kit at www.scdhec.gov/radon. The program can be contacted at radon@dhec.sc.gov or (800) 768-0362.

This week at DHEC

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DHEC continues to spread the message about radon and free test kits. Richelle Tolton, DHEC’s Radon Coordinator, spoke with South Carolina Public Radio about how to look out for this silent killer.

Neal Martin, with our Division of Injury and Violence Prevention, shared our message about another silent killer, carbon monoxide. He shared prevention tips with WOLO and The Aiken Standard.

Spare the Air Awards

Do you know someone who has voluntarily helped to improve air quality in South Carolina? Encourage them to apply for the Spare the Air Awards for a chance to be recognized by the state! Entries are due by February 1, 2017. Click here to learn more about the award, past winners, and to get information on how to enter.

Employee Spotlight

Congratulations to Stacie Walling, who is the new Operations Director in the Lowcountry.