The Cayuga County Health and Human Services Department is distributing free radon test kits to Cayuga County homeowners to encourage them to test their homes.

According to a news release from the county health department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Health have determined that Cayuga County is a high-risk radon county.

If an elevated radon level is discovered, it can be corrected. Health department staff will be available to discuss radon results with homeowners, and, if necessary, provide technical information regarding steps to reduce radon levels.

Approximately 20 percent of radon test results performed in homes within Cayuga County over the past two years as part of the Health Department's Radon Awareness Campaign have shown radon levels above EPA's recommended level for taking remedial action.

Radon gas can enter a home from the soil through cracks in concrete floors and walls, floor drains, sump pumps and construction joints. Residents who have not yet tested their homes may unknowingly be living in homes with high radon concentrations.

Radon is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Exposure to both smoking and radon greatly enhances the risk of lung cancer. People can't see, smell or taste radon, so most are not aware that an elevated radon level may be a significant health problem in their homes.

According to the news release, the percentage of radon test results above the EPA's remedial action level for Cayuga County municipalities with 10 or more radon results include: Auburn at 19 percent above; Brutus at 29 percent; Fleming at 20 percent; Ira at 25 percent; Moravia at 42 percent; Owasco at 11 percent; Springport at 12 percent.

For more information, contact the Cayuga County Health and Human Services Department at

253-1405.

Free radon test kits are available at the

following locations:

• Cayuga County Health and Human Services Department

2nd floor, County Office Building

160 Genesee St., Auburn

253-1405

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga

County

248 Grant Ave., Auburn

255-1183

• Town of Brutus

9021 N. Seneca St.,

Weedsport

834-9398

• Village of Moravia Office

22 Central St., Moravia

497-1820

• Village of Union Springs

26 Chapel St., Union Springs

889-734