[Durham INC] FW: Cooperative Extension to Offer Free Radon Test Kits Throughout January During National Radon Action Month

[Pat Carstensen]

Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 18:35:07 -0500
From: lists at durhamcountync.gov
To: pats1717 at hotmail.com
Subject: Cooperative Extension to Offer Free Radon Test Kits Throughout January During National Radon Action Month







	


  
	
    


  
  
  
    
	  
        
          
          Durham County Government
          
		  
          Press Release
          
        
        
      
        
			
        
      
      
  
  
    
	  


Cooperative Extension to Offer Free Radon Test Kits Throughout January During National Radon Action Month   

Durham, NC - January is National Radon Action Month.  The Durham County Cooperative Extension Service is partnering with the North Carolina Radon Program to provide county residents a free radon test kit.  Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas, is released harmlessly from the ground into outdoor air, but it can accumulate and reach harmful levels when trapped in homes and buildings. 
 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States. 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. "Since radon does not have an odor and is invisible, people tend to downplay the health effects and ignore the possibility that there might be a silent killer within the walls of their home," said Deborah McGiffin, extension agent for the Durham County Cooperative Extension Service.  The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Radon Program has revealed that some homes in Durham County have tested high for radon.  Houses in the same neighborhood can have very different levels, so every home should be tested.  Testing homes for radon is simple and inexpensive.   The County Extension Office will offer free radon test kits during the month of January from the NC Radon Program.   The NC Radon Program and the Cooperative Extension Service urges residents to take action during this year's National Radon Action Month by testing their homes for radon.    "Radon can pose a serious threat to our community's health, but there is a straightforward solution." According to McGiffin, homeowners that find elevated levels of radon in their homes can have the problem fixed by qualified contractors for a cost similar to that of many other home repairs.  The common cost to rectify radon issues in the home costs from $1,000 to $2,500. For more information on radon and to receive a free radon test kit, contact Deborah McGiffin at 919-560-0521, or visit the NC Radon Program's website at www.ncradon.org .
 



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About Durham County Government
An official news release has just been issued by Durham County.
You may access the news release at the link below:
http://www.durhamcountync.gov/news/
 
Please contact the Public Information Office at (919) 560-0000 or email public_information at durhamcountync.gov for information related to news releases.
      
            
        
      
  
  
    




Durham County Government
Deborah Craig-Ray


Assistant County Manager
(919) 560-0000
County Manager's Office
200 East Main Street
Durham, NC 27701



Durham County Government


Dawn Dudley 

Public Information Specialist
(919) 560-0008
County Manager's Office
200 East Main Street
Durham, NC 27701

  
  
  	
  
  
  

 
  
      
    























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Durham County Government | 200 East Main Street | Durham | NC | 27701



 		 	   		  
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