Newspaper Page Text
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - Pike County Journal Reporter - Page 7A
Homeowners should test
for deadly, invisible gas
As it is every year,
January is National
Radon Action month.
However, this year feels
different, as many people
are spending more time
at home to keep each
other safe and healthy.
This makes it even more
important that we test
our homes for radon, a
colorless, odorless gas
that is the second-leading
cause of lung cancer.
Over the course of
many years, exposure to
this gas can cause lung
cancer, even in nonsmok
ers. In fact, radon is the
leading cause of lung
cancer among nonsmok
ers. About 800 Georgians
die annually from radon-
induced lung cancer.
A free zoom webinar
will be held at noon Jan.
28 for those interested
in learning why radon is
present in Georgia, how
it causes lung cancer,
how to affordably test a
home and how to fix the
problem if it is present.
“Participants will
receive a free radon air
test kit. This webinar is
sponsored by Pike and
Spalding County Exten
sion offices and anyone
is welcome to join,” said
Pike extension agent
Brooklyne Wassel. “Pre-
*.* Rn
A radon
registration is required
to receive the zoom link
and free testing kit. Once
you register, you will
receive an email contain
ing the webinar link and
a reminder email the day
before the program.”
To register, go to
tinyurl.com/pikeradon.
“If you have any ques
tions or concerns about
radon, please do not
hesitate to contact the
Pike extension office and
we hope to ‘see’ you on
Jan. 28,” said Wassel.
Radon is a naturally
occurring gas that comes
from the breakdown of
uranium in soil and rock.
Often granite rock natu
rally has high levels of
uranium, which is part
of why radon is such a
persistent problem. The
gas seeps out of the soil
and rises through crawl-
spaces, foundations and
basements into homes.
According to the U.S.
Environmental Protec
tion Agency, about 1 in 15
homes have a radon level
that should be reduced.
Fortunately, testing for
radon gas is simple and
inexpensive. A short-term
radon test is hung in the
lowest level of the home
for three to seven days
before being mailed to the
laboratory. The labora
tory will then send the
homeowner results after it
processes the test kit.
During the month
of January, Georgians
can receive $5 off their
online radon test kit order
at radon.uga.edu by using
the code NRAM2021 at
checkout.
If the radon level in
your home is high, you
can install a radon reduc
tion system. The system
most frequently used is
a vent pipe system and
fan that pulls radon from
beneath the house and
vents it to the outside.
Radon exposure from
drinking water is primar
ily a concern in private
wells. If you don’t know
whether there is radon in
your well water, have the
water tested.
The UGA Agricul
tural and Environmental
Services Laboratories
test water samples for
the presence of radon.
To get a water testing kit,
contact your local UGA
Extension office or call
1-800-ASK-UGA1.
UPSON
Regional Medical Center
*Not an actual patient*
Monday - Friday 8:30am-6pm
Saturday 8:30am-1 2:30pm
Sunday CLOSED
SHEPHERDCARE
^1 H O i P I C E
"CARE" it s not just our name, it's our lifestyle!
GRIFFIN OFFICE:
1501B Kalamazoo Dr., Griffin, GA 30224
THOMASTON OFFICE:
201 N. Church St., Thomaston, GA 30286
We service all surrounding counties to each office.
www.ShepherdCareGA.com
Contact:
Meredith Smith
Director of
Marketing
678-603-1321
UPSON
Regional Medical Center
FREE
COVID-19 Vaccine
in Barnesville
Upson Regional Medical Center
Barnesville Medical Office Building (100 Hwy 18 W)
Beginning January 21
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available for adults aged 65 and older,
law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders.
People in the designated groups interested in getting the vaccine
MUST have an appointment in order to receive admission. Please
review the fact sheet on the vaccine and complete the consent form
prior to appointment. These documents are available at urmc.org,
onsite upon check in, and in the Upson Regional Medical Center
Barnesville Medical Office Building lobby for you to pick up prior to
your visit.
To schedule your appointment beginning at 9:00 am January 18,
call 770-872-5015.