WGBA -Elevated Levels of Radon in the Fox Valley
Member Center:
With small children that she's concerned about, Jacsualen Carrasquillo contacted her landlord Barron Rentals about some problems that have gone unattended to for a long time. More>>
A mold cover-up? A baby is fighting breathing problems and a doctor asked an apartment manager to step in and get rid of the mold. More>>
Friends Austin Ly and Xoua Kong have been to Knuckles several times always without a problem until recently. "It made us feel like we were not wanted there." Ly explained. More>>
The Wied family has owned property in Wausaukee for more than 40 years. Now, the family is battling the state to keep that property. More>>
A retired Green Bay Marine is fighting for those who got sick from toxic water at a North Carolina base. More>>
New highway signs are being put up at a big price tag. More>>
Cyndi Schmieder is 40 years old and has never smoked cigarettes in her life. "It was such a shock it was a whirlwind, it all happened so fast," Cyndi said. Two and half months ago, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. "And this is the type of cancer that is typical for smokers who are over 70 years old," said Schmieder.
After Cyndi was diagnosed with cancer, she hired professionals to test her home for elevated levels of radon. "We measured a 10.1 pCi/L," said her husband, Don. The Environmental Protection Agency says you should work to reduce the level of radon in your home if you test higher than 4 pCi/L because levels higher than that can be dangerous.
Since the test, Schmieders' hired the Neenah-based Radon Specialists to install a mitigation system. But, the family wishes they knew about their homes elevated levels of radon sooner. "According to my oncologist, it's my only risk factor because I am not old enough to have this kind of cancer," Schmieder said.
Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless, and odorless. It seeps into your home from bedrock in the ground. All major health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control, the American Lung Association and the American Medical Association agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancers deaths every year.
According to a study by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, several counties in the Fox Valley rank low when it comes to radon safety. According to the study, Waupaca, Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Fond Du Lac, and Kewaunee counties all have more than 10 percent of homes screened with elevated radon levels. The City of Menasha received an EPA grant, that allows them to sell radon tests for a minimal fee. Health officials there say that about 50 to 60 percent of homes tested in the city have levels above the U.S. EPA's action guideline.
The Schmieders' are hoping to push local officials for some kind of legislation that would make radon testing for people that buy or sell homes mandatory in their area.
