Mayor Thomas Fromm announced today that February, 2019 will be designated RADON ACTON MONTH in the Boro of Swedesboro, in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Radon Program.

In announcing Radon Action Month, Mayor Fromm said, “Radon is a serious health risk.  It is the second leading cause of lung cancer – and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.  But because radon is invisible and odorless it is easy to ignore this potential hazard in our homes.”

Radon is the radioactive gas that occurs naturally when uranium and radium break down in the soil and in rock formations.  Radon gas moves up through the soil and finds its way into homes through cracks in the foundation and openings around pumps, pipes and drains.

Council President Sam Casella said, “We would like to see as many homes tested as possible, to reduce the potential radon risk here in Swedesboro.”

During Radon Action Month, the Boro of Swedesboro will be providing radon information and testing kits free to residents via a grant from the New Jersey DEP on a first come first serve basis.  The kits will be available to be picked up at the Boro hall during normal business hours.

Radon is measured in picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) of air.  The average U.S. indoor level is 1.3 pCi/L.  At 4 pCi/L, the risk of lung cancer from radon is greater than the risk from fire or other home accidents.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the DEP recommend that action be taken to reduce the radon levels if the level of the home is greater than or equal to 4 pCi/L.

Fortunately, testing for radon is simple and inexpensive.  The DEP Radon Program can provide a list of certified companies that provide testing services or do-it-yourself test kits – residents can contact the Program at (800) 648-0394 or www.nj.rdon.org.  Test kits can also be obtained from local hardware stores as well.

If the test indicates a radon problem, radon mitigation systems can be installed at a cost similar to that of other home repairs.  A list of certified mitigation companies is also available from the Radon Program.

For more information on radon, contact the Boro of Swedesboro at 856-467-0202 or the DEP Radon Program at (800) 648-0394 or visit the website www.njradon.org.