Lung Cancer Circle of Hope urges New Jersey residents to test homes for radon

Lakewood — The Lung Cancer Circle of Hope (LCCH) urges residents to test their homes for radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer, during January — National Radon Action Month. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Lung cancer accounts for 39 percent of all cancer deaths in New Jersey. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released in rock, soil, and water from the decay of uranium. It can accumulate to dangerous levels inside buildings—especially in rooms that are below grade, such as basements, rooms that are in contact with the ground, and those rooms immediately above them. “It is important for New Jersey residents to know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and that this radioactive gas can be found in their homes,” says Susan Levin, president of the LCCH. “Just because someone is diagnosed with lung cancer does not mean ‘they did it to themselves.’ The Lung Cancer Circle of Hope’s purpose is to educate people that lung cancer is not just a smokers’ disease, and that there are other causes.” Recent studies have proven there is a direct correlation between residential radon and lung cancer. You can’t see, smell, or taste radon, but an elevated level, a level greater than 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air—a measurement for radioactivity), could be affecting the health of you and your family. Elevated levels of radon have been found in Sussex, Warren, Morris, Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer and Monmouth counties. “How to test for radon: Testing homes for radon is simple and inexpensive. Radon kits can be purchased at local hardware and home improvement stores, as well as directly from radon testing companies. Many are priced under $25. New Jersey residents can contact the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection-Radon Section through their Web site: www.njradon.org to learn more. About the Lung Cancer Circle of Hope The Lung Cancer Circle of Hope (LCCH) is the only non-profit in New Jersey dedicated exclusively to advocating, educating and promoting the need for research funding for lung cancer. The LCCH’s mission is to educate the public and members of the medical community about lung cancer, advocate on behalf of lung cancer patients, their families and others at risk, influence public policy decisions relating to lung cancer, and promote increased funding for lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in the United States, yet it is ignored. The LCCH strives to remove the stigma associated with lung cancer. Lung cancer is not just a smoker’s disease; no one is immune. Visit the LCCH Web site at www.lungcancercircleofhope.org.