Date Published: 01/07/2020 [Source]
The South Carolina Radon Program is offering a limited number of home radon test kits for free. Free radon test kits are available to homeowners on a first come, first served basis. As part of recognizing January as National Radon Action Month, the South Carolina Department of Heath and Environmental Control, or DHEC, is encouraging homeowners to learn about the risks of radon.
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is dispersed in outdoor air, but can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. The gas can't be seen, tasted, or smelled, so detection can be tricky.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon gas is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking, and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
"Elevated levels of radon have been found in homes in almost every county in South Carolina," said Rhonda Thompson, Bureau of Air Quality Chief. "Two homes right next to each other can have different radon levels. The only way to know if a home has high radon levels is to test for radon."