The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) wants families across the state to consider testing their homes for radon to find out whether a potentially dangerous health risk exists.

Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless and dangerous gas found in many places, including homes. Radon occurs naturally as a radioactive gas released from the element radium; it’s found in rocks, soil and water.

“As radium in the soil naturally degrades, it can seep up into buildings, get trapped inside and grow in intensity,” said Randi Norton-Herrington, Wyoming Cancer Program outreach and education coordinator. “All homes have radon; however, with higher levels, the risks become a health concern. Radon is recognized as the second leading cause of lung cancer.”

“Ongoing exposure to higher, more dangerous radon levels can be reduced with testing and home modifications. That’s why we offer free or low-cost test kits to Wyoming residents. We want them to know the risk level within their homes so they can address potential problems,” Norton-Herrington said.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines an elevated level of radon as anything over 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The EPA recommends homes with elevated levels be fixed and encourages testing every two years.

Wyoming students in third to ninth grade are invited to participate in the program’s annual radon poster contest. Entries should focus on radon exposure dangers or home testing promotion. The deadline for the poster contest is April 30.

The Wyoming Cancer Program has free or low-cost radon test kits available based on available supplies. To obtain a radon test kit, to view winning video entries or to enter the poster contest, please visit health.wyo.gov/radon.