Radon is an odorless tasteless gas found in nature. It can build up in your home causing a health hazard for you and your family. By breathing in the radon gas, it can become trapped in our lungs, damaging the lung tissue and increasing your risk of lung cancer. Next to smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
A quick presentation on what Radon is and the health hazards it can cause.
Nebraska has a very high incidence of radon in homes; over half of the homes tested in the state have levels above the action level of 4.0 pCi/L. Since radon is odorless and tasteless, the only way to know if you have a high level of radon is to test for it. Your home can be tested by a licensed professional or with a do-it-yourself test kit.
Nebraska Radon Zones
Radon Ready
Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department collaborated with the City of McCook to pass the Appendix F of the International Building Code. This code requires all new residential construction to be radon resistant.
In 2019 the Nebraska State Legislature passed a bill requiring all new construction in the state to be radon ready starting January 1 2020. Information for builders and contractors on radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) is available from the EPA here.
Nebraska Radon Resistant New Construction (RRNC)
A step-by-step guide on how to build radon resistant homes.
EPA Radon Publications- A 1 page document with links to different guides to radon based on your need.
How Do I Get a Radon Test Kit?
SWNPHD provides FREE home test kits to the community members living in one of the nine counties we serve. Call us at 308-345-4223 or email info@swhealth.ne.gov for more information.
Many hardware stores now offer radon tests as well. Special pricing for Nebraska residents can be obtained by purchasing a test kit from Air Chek, Inc. or Accustar.
Accustar sells long-term test kits at a low-cost (approximately $25.00) to Nebraskans when you call 800-523-4964 and mention NEBRASKA. More information about Accustar products can be found here.
Alpha Energy Laboratories offers discounted short or long-term test kits here or call 1-800-324-5928.
Radon Measurement: Professional radon testing is done by licensed radon professionals for real estate transactions and other uses needing high-accuracy readings. A list of licenced professionals can be found here: Radon (ne.gov)
What if my Radon Test Result is High?
You can take steps to reduce your radon level in your home. The EPA has information for do-it-yourself options, and Nebraska DHHS has a list of licensed radon mitigators that are trained to survey your home and install customized options to fit your needs.
Radon Mitigation: Find the list of licenced mitigators here: Radon (ne.gov)
Radon Poster Contest
Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department provides an opportunity for youth ages 9 to 14 to participate in the annual radon poster contest. The contest works to educate youth about the dangers of radon exposure in the home.
Students can be sponsored by public, private, or home school —or through a sponsoring club, such as an art, computer, or science club, scouting organization, or 4-H club.
Artwork Requirements:
- On white paper - preferred size is 12 x 18 or 8.5 x 11 but all submission sizes will be accepted.
- Digital submissions are also accepted. This may be either digital artwork or digital photos of paper artwork.
- Can be created with crayon, markers, paint (watercolor, acrylic, etc.), collage, pencil, photographs, or computer graphics.
- Be original (please do not copy previous national, state, or local winning posters).
- Must NOT have the student’s name on the front.
- Attach a completed Artwork Submission Form to the back.
- Lettering and message should be large enough to reproduce well, with all pencil markings erased.
- Copyrighted characters (such as Disney, Marvel Comics, Nebraska Huskers, any sports teams), product logos and trademarked or brand names cannot be used.
The deadline for submitting the poster to the health department is usually at the end of November every year. Posters can be dropped off at the office located at 404 West 10th Street in McCook, one block north of Arby’s, or emailed to info@swhealth.ne.gov.
2022-2023 Radon Poster Winners
2023-2024 Radon Poster Winners
