The Mississippi State Department of Health is offering free radon test kits all through the month of January while they last.

According to the National Safety Council, radon could be the primary cause of lung cancer. Radon gas is produced when uranium in the soil, rocks and water combine. The radioactive gas can be found in homes, offices and other public places where it can enter buildings through cracks in walls, floors, pipes and electrical wiring. The report further states that radon gas can prove to be life threatening if it exceeds a certain level.

Another report released by the Mississippi State Department of Health states that approximately 20,000 citizens in the United States die due to excessive radon exposure, and is the cause for 15 percent of lung cancer cases worldwide.

The MSDH further states that alarming levels of radon have been found in all 50 states of the nation.

The National Safety Council suggests that the only way to identify the presence of radon is by using short-term (3-4 days) and long-term (3-12 months) test kits.

If you are unable to acquire the test yourself, you can hire a professional to test the radon level at your home or work place.

A variety of measures can be used to reduce radon levels, especially at home. They include sealing all the cracks in the floor, walls and ceiling to block the passage of the radioactive gas. The EPA also recommends increasing ventilation through sub-slab depressurization with pipes and fans.

If you think you have been exposed to radon be sure to visit your doctor. Possible symptoms caused by radon exposure include shortness of breath, bad cough, chest pain and trouble swallowing food or water.

Contact the MSDH Radon Hotline at 1(800) 626-7739 for your free radon test kit and it will mailed to you.