Oregon in Danger of High Radon Levels

Tuesday, January 06, 2015

Kirsten Nicolaisen, GoLocalPDX Content Manager

New state data shows certain areas of Oregon are at high risk for dangerous levels of radon, an odorless, tasteless gas responsible for an estimated 20,000 cancer deaths per year in the United States.

Data from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) shows the risk for high radon levels in areas around the Willamette Valley, Southern, and Eastern Oregon are high. The invisible gas that comes up from the ground and is drawn into buildings where it can build up to dangerous levels, according to OHA.

The areas with the highest risk for radon are in Scappoose, Banks, North Plains, Boring, Parkdale, Dundee, Turner and La Grande, according to the data published on the Oregon Radon Program website. Other regions of Oregon are at moderate risk for high radon levels.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after cigarette smoking, and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, the OHA reports.

Protective Measures

People can take steps to reduce their exposure to radon by testing their homes for the gas or hiring a professional to reduce it to a safe level, according to OHA.

"The take-home message is that every home needs to be tested, regardless of where it is located," said Brett Sherry, Radon Program coordinator at OHA. "You may have the only house on the block with elevated radon levels."

Radon test kits can be purchased at local hardware stores or online from radon test kit supply companies. The best time to test for radon is during the winter when people's doors and windows are typically closed up tight, according to OHA. To see what levels have been detected in your neighborhood, visit the Radon Program website.

Those living in Zip codes where there are fewer than 20 test results can send an email to [email protected] to receive instructions on how to get a free test kit, which will be provided while supplies last.

Oregon in Danger of High Radon Levels

Protective Measures

Related Slideshow: 20 Oregon Facilities With The Most EPA Fines

#20

Jasper Wood Products LLC, Jasper

#19

RSC Dairy LLC, Tillamook

#18

Oak Lodge Sanitary District, Milwaukie

#17

Forrest Paint Co., Eugene

#16

East Side Plating Inc. Plants, Portland

#15

Darigold, Portland

#14

Owens-Brockway Glass, Portland

#13

Oregon Door Inc., Dillard

#12

Export Global Metals, Hillsboro

#11

Crop Production Services, Tangent

#10

Kanto Corporation, Portland

#9

Cascade Plating & Machine, Eugene

#8

Gunderson Inc., Portland

#7

U.S. Army Umatillla Chemical Depot, Hermiston

#6

RSG Forest Products, Molalla

#5

Johnson Crushers International, Eugene

#4

Jeld-Wen, Klamath Falls

#3

Ash Grove Cement Co., Durkee

#2

TDY Industries Inc., Albany

#1

ATI Allvac Albany Operations, Albany

Related Articles

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Most Popular Articles

Sign Up for the Daily Eblast

Sign Up for the Daily Eblast