Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. Radon comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and can enter your home and any type of building through cracks and openings. Your home may trap radon inside, where it can build up to levels that may impact your health as you breath in air containing radon.

Why Exposure is a Concern

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer deaths caused by radon gas are estimated between 15,000 to 22,000 per year. 

Madison County is a high radon risk county. 

Not everyone exposed to radon will get lung cancer, but the greater the radon level and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of developing lung cancer.

Winter is the best time to test for radon. Is radon gas building up in your home? Get a test kit.

Is Radon a Problem in My Home?

The only way to know if you have high radon levels is to test your home.

Radon Testing

  • Homeowners in the Towns of Brookfield, DeRuyter, Eaton, Fenner, Georgetown, Lebanon, Lincoln, Madison, Nelson, Smithfield, and Stockbridge may be eligible for a FREE radon detector from Madison County Health Department, call 315-366-2361.
  • A LOW COST radon detector is available to all New York State residents for $11.  
    Order your $11 low-cost test kit from NYS Department of Health.

Learn more about testing and fixing your home for radon.

Map of percent of homes tested for radon by floor and town with elevated levels, 1987-2018