Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium, thorium or radium break down in rocks, soil and water. It is invisible, odorless, and tasteless. Radon gas can rise from under the ground and get trapped inside buildings, where it can reach high and dangerous levels that can cause cancer.

A new study shows that on average, people living in rural communities are exposed to 30% higher residential radon levels than people in cities and suburbs, likely due to the wells they rely on for their water supply. Radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States, second only to cigarette smoking.

According to the American Lung Association in their “State of Lung Cancer” report, radon is detected at high levels in about 36.5% of homes in Maine. Radon levels are represented in three regions of the state, with Zone 1 having the highest risk. Aroostook County is located in Zone 1.

A simple and inexpensive test is available to test for levels of Radon in homes. If a home tests positive for unhealthy levels of Radon, a variety of mitigation tools are available.