January is Radon Action Month in Michigan and the Genesee County Health Department is encouraging residents to check the radon gas levels in their homes.

In case you are unaware what Radon actually is, it's an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that seeps into homes from surrounding soil and rock. It's the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and leading cause among non-smokers. It has no immediate health effects, but as you can see above, can be very harmful over the long term. The Genesee County Health Department says elevated levels of Radon have been detected in nearly every township in the county.

The Genesee County Health Department is offering free radon test kits (normally $6) in observance on National Radon Action Month and encourages residents to get a free kit and test their homes during the next few weeks.

County residents can pick up a free radon test kit at the Genesee County Health Department and its Environmental Health Services division located on the second floor of the McCree South Human Services Building at 630 S. Saginaw Street in Flint during normal business hours through the end of the month.

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