Department of Health and Human Services
Radon Testing

Vernon Township Initiates Radon Awareness Program

Vernon Township in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Radon Section is participating in a special radon awareness program targeted at communities found to have unusually high levels of radon in some homes.

In its "Elevated Radon Awareness Program" (ERAP), the DEP Radon Section provides outreach assistance to municipalities in which one or more homes were found to have radon levels above 100 picoCuries per Liter (pCi/L).

The Vernon Township Health Department wants to ensure that all residents are aware of the need to test homes and reduce radon levels where necessary. Although high levels of radon have been found in some homes in Vernon, radon problems can be fixed. Radon reduction systems are extremely effective-and the cost of remediation is no more than a typical major home repair.

For communities participating in the ERAP, the DEP Radon Section provides the local health department with radon informational materials, including brochures, videotapes, posters, and funds for free test kits, to support local outreach initiatives. These materials will be available for Vernon residents.

Outreach efforts will be undertaken in Vernon. A limited number of free test kits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition to the township website, information has been sent to the newspapers and local radio stations.

Since radon test information is confidential by state law, the specific locations of homes with radon levels greater than 100 pCi/L cannot be made available to the public.

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when uranium breaks down in the soil and in rock formations. Small amounts of uranium are found in nearly all soils and rocks. Radon gas moves up through the soil and finds its way into homes through cracks in the foundation and openings around sump pumps, pipes and drains.

High radon levels are associated with a greater risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. At 4 pCi/L, the risk of lung cancer from radon is greater that the risk from fire or other home accidents. It is recommended that homes be remediated if they have radon concentrations of 4 pCi/L or more.

There is no truly "safe" level of radon since lung cancer can result from very low exposures to radon - however, the risk decreases as the radon concentration decreases. If your test result is less than 4.0 pCi/L, you may want to discuss with mitigation companies whether the radon level can be brought down still further. In about half of the homes that have been mitigated in New Jersey, radon levels have been brought to less than 1 pCi/L.

If homeowners have already remediated their homes, it is recommended that they retest every two years to ensure their system is functioning properly. In addition, homeowners who tested in the past and found low levels of radon may wish to retest if radon concentrations may have changed, due to changes in air flow within the house from new additions or other renovations, or due to new construction nearby that may have caused changes in the local geology.

Testing for radon is simple and inexpensive. In addition to test kits provided by Vernon, the DEP's Radon Section at (800) 648-0394 or www.njradon.org can provide a list of state-certified companies that provide testing services or do-it yourself test kits, as well as companies that provide radon remediation services.

For more information on radon, contact the Vernon Health Department, 973-764-4055 extension 2263, or the DEP Radon Section at (800) 648-0394 or www.njradon.org.