Rock County, WI
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Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps into homes from the ground. This colorless and odorless gas comes from the natural breakdown of uranium. It is typically found in rock, soil, and less frequently well water.
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, with about 2,900 of these occurring in people who have never smoked.
Radon is found in every region of Wisconsin. The amount of radon gas present in a home is dependent on many factors, including home construction. This means that neighboring homes may have significantly different radon levels.
Lead
Lead is a metal that occurs naturally in the environment and is found in small amounts in the earth's crust. The use of lead in industry and the products that we use over the past century has created significant exposure risks to people, especially young children. Although federal and state regulatory standards have drastically reduced the use of lead in manufacturing over the last several decades, hazards are still very present in our environments and homes.