Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has again declared this to be Radon Action Month in Michigan, encouraging all residents to learn more about this environmental hazard and test their homes during this winter’s heating season.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the natural decay of uranium found in all soil types. It enters buildings from the soil and can accumulate to high concentrations indoors. Yet radon cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, and has no short-term side effects that could cause alarm or warn of its presence, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

However, long-term exposure to radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer, which accounts for more deaths in both men and women than any other form of cancer in the United States, EGLE warns in a news release.

The department aims to increase awareness of health risks associated with elevated indoor radon levels, promote home testing and encourage citizens to take action to reduce exposure if elevated radon levels are found.

Behind smoking, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers and is considered a leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the United States, EGLE states. Current and former smokers have significantly higher radon-induced lung cancer risks.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates radon is responsible for about 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year.

Radon testing continues to be important, as many Michiganders statewide remain unaware of the hidden dangers of exposure to radioactive radon gas, EGLE advises, adding that testing is easy, inexpensive and the only way to determine if a radon problem exists.

It is recommended residents test for radon every two to five years. If a radon mitigation system is currently installed in the home, residents are encouraged to retest every two years to make sure radon levels remain below the federal action level of 4 picocuries per liter of air, or 4 pCi/L. In Michigan, approximately one in four Michigan homes are projected to have radon levels exceeding 4 pCi/L. Elevated radon levels have been found in all 83 Michigan counties, according to EGLE.

Radon poses a serious public health threat in communities statewide, but high radon concentrations are also easily fixed.

This year, residents have several ways to learn more about radon in Michigan:

• EGLE has produced a four-part podcast series, moderated by Jerry Hodak, former chief meteorologist on WXYZ-TV in Detroit, that covers many common interest topics such as radon origins and health effects, radon testing best practices, test results and radon reduction methods, and retesting frequency and mitigation system maintenance. Check out the podcast series at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXCrWyRfRQVVTk0V4Ksi6QukdRb8jNt6P.

• EGLE also has an interactive map of Michigan indoor radon test results. Learn about radon testing in your area.

• Radon test kits may be obtained from many of Michigan’s local health departments.

For more information about radon testing and other information, including resources for homeowners, builders, realtors, teachers and health care providers, go online to Michigan.gov/Radon, or call EGLE’s Indoor Radon hotline at 800-723-6642 (800-RADONGAS).

For more information on lung cancer prevention strategies, go to Michigan.gov/Cancer. For updates on other EGLE news, follow at Michigan.gov/MIEnvironment.

— The Daily News, Iron Mountain