The La Crosse County Health Department is urging homeowners to test their homes for radon this month. 
January is Radon Action Month. 
Radon is a gas that occurs from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil. It can't be seen, smelled, or tasted. 
It kills approximately 21,000 people a year from lung cancer, making it the second leading cause of death from that disease in the US. 
Mekaela Malloy with the Health Department said the geology of our area lends itself to more cases of radon exposure.
"In Wisconsin as a whole, we see typically about one in ten homes have a high radon level. In the Coulee Region goes from one to three homes because we have that porous soil that allows the gas to come up a little quicker."

While the geology plays a role, geography also is a factor. 

"So, if you test your home for radon and you don't have any, you don't have high levels, that doesn't mean that, say, your neighbor might not have high levels. It really just depends on your specific home and where it's sitting," Malloy said. 

The county has short-term radon testing kits available, the first step in the process. Because it's Radon Action Month, the Health Department is offering them for $9.00 each. 

The kits are available at the Health Department as well as at every La Crosse County Library branch. 

Additional Information:

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/index.htm

https://www.epa.gov/radon

 

The La Crosse County Health Department is urging homeowners to test their homes for radon this month.&nbsp; January is Radon Action Month.&nbsp; Radon is a gas that occurs from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil. It can't be seen, smelled, or tasted.&nbsp; It kills approximately 21,000 people a year from lung cancer, making it the second leading cause of death from that disease in the US.&nbsp; Mekaela Malloy with the Health Department said the geology of our area lends itself to more cases of radon exposure. "In Wisconsin as a whole, we see typically about one in ten homes have a high radon level. In the Coulee Region goes from one to three homes because we have that porous soil that allows the gas to come up a little quicker."
While the geology plays a role, geography also is a factor.&nbsp;
"So, if you test your home for radon and you don't have any, you don't have high levels, that doesn't mean that, say, your neighbor might not have high levels. It really just depends on your specific home and where it's sitting," Malloy said.&nbsp;
The county has short-term radon testing kits available, the first step in the process. Because it's Radon Action Month, the Health Department is offering them for $9.00 each.&nbsp;
The kits are available at the Health Department as well as at every La Crosse County Library branch.&nbsp;
Additional Information:
<a href="https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/index.htm" data-sf-ec-immutable="">https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/index.htm</a>
<a href="https://www.epa.gov/radon" data-sf-ec-immutable="">https://www.epa.gov/radon</a>
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WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM - La Crosse  Talk Interviews

WIZM’s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin.
Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at wizmnews.com and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities. Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM&rsquo;s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin. Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/">wizmnews.com</a> and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities.&nbsp;Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.