Radon is an odorless, tasteless, and invisible 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. Radon occurs in higher concentrations in certain areas of the state, including Somerset County.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon is associated with approximately 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Smokers and people exposed to second-hand smoke have a greater risk of developing lung cancer if they are also exposed to excess radon. Radon does not cause any immediate symptoms, such as asthma or respiratory problems, so testing for radon is the only way to know if a home has elevated radon levels.

To reduce the risk of exposure to radon gas, residents are urged to test their homes. Even if your neighbor’s home is not affected by radon gas, it does not mean that your home is in an acceptable range. If a radon test indicates a radon problem, radon mitigation systems can be installed at a cost similar to other home repairs, reducing exposures and the risk of lung cancer. In an effort to facilitate radon testing, the Commission tries to maintain a limited number of radon test kits. They are available on a “first-come first-served” basis in the Green Brook, Warren and Bridgewater Municipal buildings.