(COLDWATER) – An area health agency wants to bring awareness to a silent menace that could cause long term health problems.

January is Radon Action Month. Radon is an odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rock. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, and there are no short-term side effects. However, long-term exposure to radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer.

Paul Andriacchi, Director of Environmental Health with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency says testing is easy, inexpensive and the only way to know if a home has a radon problem. He would like to remind residents that there are free testing kits available at each of the CHA offices, and he is encouraging residents to test their homes for this environmental hazard.

Radon gas in the outdoor atmosphere is not harmful to people. But when radon gas gets trapped in our homes, without the ability to escape through open windows and doors, the contact over time may lead to lung cancer. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and the leading cause among non-smokers.

Testing your home is the only way to find out if you have elevated radon levels. Radon is especially prominent in the tri-county area, and you could be at risk of exposure.

According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), the average national indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). 33% of homes in St. Joseph County, 52% of homes in Branch County, and 51% of homes in Hillsdale County test equal to or higher than 4 pCi/L.

Because an acceptable level of radon is around 4pCi/L and there are no warning signs, it is vital that every home is tested. While radon poses a serious threat to community health, high radon concentrations are easily fixed.

Testing is recommended every two years because homes settle, new cracks form in the foundation and radon levels can change.