Each January, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks to raise awareness of radon exposure during National Radon Action Month, encouraging Americans to “Test, Fix, Save a Life” and protect themselves by having their homes tested for the presence of radon.

Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of radium, thorium, and uranium in the ground. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. If left untreated, radon can accumulate indoors, leading to significant health risks. After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, claiming the lives of approximately 21,000 Americans each year.

However, radon exposure is a preventable health risk with a simple solution: Testing for radon can help avoid prolonged exposure.

“Radon is a threat to millions of Americans, especially those living in areas with a high potential for radon,” said Dana Skelley, EPA Region 7 Air and Radiation Division director. “In the Midwest, many homes are naturally predisposed to have elevated radon levels. We urge everyone to protect themselves and their families from this preventable health risk by testing their homes for radon gas.”

Most homes in EPA Region 7’s four states are in areas classified as EPA Radon Zones One or Two, indicating a high or moderate potential for elevated radon levels. To determine if your home is in one of these zones, view EPA’s Map of Radon Zones for your state.

Radon test kits can be bought online and in home improvement stores. National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University offers test kits for purchase online.

EPA recommends taking action to fix a home if you discover radon levels above 4 picocuries per liter. If a home does have elevated levels, a qualified professional can install a system to reduce indoor radon levels. For more guidance on addressing radon risks, visit EPA’s Radon page.

Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has chosen the last week of January (Jan. 27-31) to observe Radon Awareness Week. More information can be found here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of the Interior (DOI) released the first-ever National One Health Framework to Address Zoonotic Diseases and Advance Public Health Preparedness in the United States.

One Health seeks to improve the health of humans, animals, and the environment by recognizing their close connections. The One Health approach provides a framework to navigate health threats shared between people and animals, such as COVID-19, mpox, bird flu, and Ebola.

At the direction of Congress in the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, CDC, USDA, and DOI developed this framework to address zoonotic diseases and advance public health preparedness in the U.S. CDC, USDA, and DOI are responsible for protecting public health, domestic animal health, and wildlife and environmental health, respectively, and as such are representatives of key One Health sectors for the U.S. government. All three agencies historically address One Health issues and work to help control zoonotic diseases that affect both people and animals.

The framework seeks to inform One Health collaboration across the U.S. government for the next five years, describing a common vision, mission, and goals for key federal partners involved in implementing the One Health approach to address zoonotic diseases.

In developing this framework, the U.S. government is helping to ensure that the groundwork is laid for effective disease response in the future so that we can be better prepared for the next potential threat.

For more information about One Health and federal coordination of One Health efforts, click here.