Southwest Virginia is one of the biggest hot beds of radon in Virginia, a tasteless, colorless natural gas that is linked to cancer.

Southwest Virginia is one of the biggest hot beds of radon in Virginia, a tasteless, colorless natural gas that is linked to cancer.

“He was like, ‘Tina, it was radon,' And I’m like, ‘What is radon?’" Steele said. “When people do find that they’re experiencing symptoms from lung cancer, it’s often too late to properly treat.”Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. behind smoking-- and the leading cause in non-smokers. Certain locations across the country are designated by the EPA as low, moderate or high risk radon zones. Giles County, where Collins and her family lived, is designated as a high risk zone. “It’s just really scary.”Thanks to a local radon mitigation specialist, their homes’ radon levels are under control.

What is Radon? Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer. ROANOKE, Va. – Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon depend mostly on:How much radon is in your homeThe amount of time you spend in your homeWhether you are a smoker or have ever smokedOrder a Radon test kitFor only $3, you can order a radon test kit from the Virginia Department of Health. EPA Radon Risk Map for VirginiaEPA Radon Risk Map for Virginia (EPA)How to Find a Certified Radon ProfessionalThe Code of Virginia requires that Radon testers and mitigators be currently certified by either the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB). Click here to search the NRPP by zip codeClick here to search the NRSB by zip codeClick here for one Pearisburg family’s warning about the dangers of radon, after they tragically lost their mother to radon-induced lung cancer.