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Judge Fields proclaims January as Radon Action Month

Judge-Executive David Fields and Adam Massey

On Friday, January 13 Butler County Judge-Executive David Fields, along with Sr. Health Environmentalist Adam Massey of the Barren River District Health Department, proclaimed January as Radon Action Month in Butler County. Massey said, "This proclamation came in conjunction with other cities and states around the country who, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are taking the lead in observing National Radon Action Month."

According to Massey, "One in 15 homes across the United States has elevated radon levels. With more than 20,000 deaths each year, radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States and the number one cause among non-smokers."

Judge Fields said that while many people are familiar with radon in the Bowling Green due to the karst topography of that area, many people do not realize that radon can be an issue here. "In this area, there are a lot of old coal mines where the radon can collect."

Massey continued, "Radon comes from radioactive material that is breaking down in the bedrock. So, the closer you are to that bedrock, the more of that radioactive material, or radon, breaking down that you're going to get exposed to. Any house having a foundation, crawlspace, or a basement, can be capturing that air if it's not being brought out . . . you can't smell it, you can't see it or anything, so it collects in your house. That's why the testing is so important."

Radon testing materials available at the BC Health Department

Judge Fields added that "Radon is a cause of cancer, lung cancer, and you don't really even know you got it. You can't see it, you can't smell it and basically by the time you find out, it is generally too late. There are testing materials, free of charge, that can be picked up at the Heath Department to test your home for elevated levels of radon. We want to urge the people of Butler County to stop by and pick up these testing materials."

The radon testing kit, along with the supplemental reading material from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Public Health Service, can be picked up from the Butler County Health Department located at 104 North Warren Street. Massey also welcomes any questions that the public may have for him; his office hours are from 8-9:30 a.m. every Monday through Friday and he can also be reached at [email protected].

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Story by Katie Kirby, Beech Tree News

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