As winter keeps residents indoors with windows shut and homes sealed against the cold, Putnam County health officials are urging homeowners to test for radon, a colorless, odorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
According to the American Lung Association, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and second only to smoking overall. In Putnam County and across New York state, lung and bronchus cancers are the leading cause of cancer deaths and rank second only to prostate and breast cancer in incidence.
Radon occurs naturally from the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium in soil, rock, and water. It can seep into homes through cracks in foundations, exposed soil, loose-fitting pipes and other openings. The risk of exposure often increases in winter, when homes are closed up and ventilation is reduced.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated Putnam County as a Zone 1 area on its radon zone map, meaning it has the highest potential for elevated indoor radon levels — greater than 4 picocuries per liter, or 4 pCi/L.
“Having this information is very helpful,” Public Health Director Rian Rodriguez said. “We can educate residents about the possible danger and most importantly how to reduce the risks for themselves and their families. Just because Putnam is in a high-risk zone does not automatically mean a home here will have high levels. The only way to know is to perform an in-home test for radon.”
Home test kits are widely available and relatively inexpensive. The New York State Department of Health sells kits online for $12.25. Kits can also be purchased at most home improvement stores for $10 to $20 and through the American Lung Association.
If a test shows radon levels above 4 pCi/L, the EPA recommends taking corrective action to reduce the concentration. Mitigation systems can be installed to lower radon levels, with costs varying depending on the home and the extent of the work required.
“All homes, new and old, should have an initial test,” health officials said. Testing should be repeated every two to five years. If a radon reduction system is installed, the state health department recommends testing every two years to ensure the system is functioning properly.
Each home is different, officials noted. One house may have elevated levels while a neighboring home does not. Because radon cannot be seen or smelled, testing — typically by placing a kit in a basement area for several days — is the only way to determine whether levels are elevated.
Health officials also stressed that while radon is a serious risk factor, smoking remains the most significant cause of lung cancer. The EPA and the American Cancer Society estimate that smoking accounts for about 80 percent of all lung cancer cases and deaths. However, for nonsmokers, radon is the leading cause.
A peer-reviewed study published last fall in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that 15 to 25 percent of lung cancer cases worldwide occur in people who have smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime — classified as nonsmokers. Researchers have long known that the combined effects of smoking and radon exposure are synergistic, meaning the risk is greater than the sum of the two factors. The American Lung Association recently reported that for people who smoke, the risk of radon-related lung cancer increases about 10-fold.
Local officials say rising smoking rates in Putnam County add to the concern. The county’s recent Community Health Assessment found that the percentage of residents who smoke increased 85 percent between 2018 and 2021, rising from 9 to 16.7 percent.
To address that trend, the Putnam County Department of Health offers the American Lung Association’s evidence-based Freedom from Smoking program free of charge to county residents.
“If you have ever wanted to quit, or have tried before but have been unsuccessful, this is the program to try,” said Alexa Contreras, a registered nurse and bilingual health educator with the department.
Contreras facilitates the seven-week program with health educator Victoria DiLonardo, who emphasized persistence.
“Quitting tobacco is considered one of the best things you can do to improve your health,” DiLonardo said. “And most people who quit for good have had previous attempts. So, it pays to keep trying.”
Residents interested in participating can contact the health department at 845-808-1390 to provide their availability and indicate whether they prefer in-person or virtual classes.
For more information, visit www.putnamcountyny.gov or follow @PutnamHealthNY on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Resources
New York State Department of Health — Radon
https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/radon/
(Multiple languages available)
American Lung Association — Double Risk: How Radon and Smoking Fuel Lung Cancer
https://www.lung.org/blog/radon-smoking-synergy
(Multiple languages available)
American Lung Association — Radon
https://www.lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/indoor-air-pollutants/radon
(Multiple languages available)
American Cancer Society — Radon and Cancer Risk
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/radiation-exposure/radon.html
(Multiple languages available)
American Cancer Society — Lung Cancer Risks for People Who Don’t Smoke
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/why-lung-cancer-strikes-nonsmokers.html
(Multiple languages available)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Health Risk of Radon
https://www.epa.gov/radon/health-risk-radon
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-05/documents/402-r-03-003.pdf
Article provided by the Putnam County Department of Health
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