Officials with the American Lung Association are advising Alaskans that testing their homes for the presence of radon, a naturally occurring and invisible gas, is a good idea after earthquakes.
January is National Radon Action Month, and several areas in Alaska have moderate radon levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, lung association officials said.
Nationwide radon is found at dangerous levels in an estimated one of 15 homes. Radon can enter homes or buildings through cracks in walls, basement floors, foundations and other openings.
Inexpensive radon testing kids can be purchased online or at local hardware stores, or the tests can be performed by a certified radon-testing professionals, according to Marge Stoneking, executive director of the American Lung Association in Alaska.
More information is online at Lung.org/radon or call the toll-free helpline at 1-800-LUNGUSA.
