Burlington Review

The Burlington County Health Department is offering free radon test kits to homeowners in the county during National Radon Action Month. This initiative aims to encourage residents to test their homes for radon, a radioactive gas that poses health risks.

A total of 110 kits are available through a partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The goal is to raise awareness and protect homes from potential hazards associated with radon exposure.

“Radon is an odorless and colorless gas that can pose a serious health risk,” said Burlington County Health Department Director Dr. Holly Cucuzzella. “According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and is estimated to be responsible for about 21,000 deaths each year, including a significant number of people who have never smoked. Testing the air in your home is a simple way to protect yourself and your loved ones from this potential hazard.”

Radon forms naturally when uranium and radium decay in soil and rock formations. It can enter homes through cracks in foundations or openings around pumps, pipes, and drains.

In New Jersey, nearly 10% of tests show radon levels at or above the EPA's action level of 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L), compared to the national indoor average of 1.3 pCi/L.

The provided test kits are user-friendly and free for Burlington County residents. If high radon levels are detected, the Health Department offers advice on mitigation measures and certified professionals.

New Jersey law requires all businesses and professionals conducting radon testing and mitigation to be certified by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The department oversees these services through its Radon Section.

Mitigation systems typically involve a vent pipe and fan to expel the gas from homes, with costs comparable to other home repairs.

Burlington County Commissioner Tyler Burrell emphasized the importance of testing: “A significant number of homes are likely to have levels above the acceptable limits so it’s important that we test as many places as possible to detect the danger,” Burrell said.

Homeowners interested in obtaining a free test kit can contact Burlington County’s Environmental Health Coordinator at 609-265-3739 while supplies last. Additional information on radon can be found at www.njradon.org or by calling the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s radon program at 800-648-0394.