ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- With Radon Awareness Week upon us, Tompkins County Whole Health is reminding residents to test their homes for radon. This is far from an issue just for Tompkins County residents, the entirety of the Twin Tiers have been categorized by the EPA as being in Zone 1, which is the worst level.

"Distributing free radon test kits is an essential strategy to reduce the rates of preventable cancer in our county. You can't see, smell, or taste radon gas, so the best way to know if you have dangerous [radon levels] in your home is to test," said Director of Health Promotion Samantha Hillson.

Free radon test kits are available through the Tompkins County Healthy Neighborhoods Program, along with instructions on how to use the kits and provide referrals for mitigation services. According to the EPA, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. 

Radon is an odorless and colorless gas that along with lung cancer, can cause a myriad of serious health problems. Once radon gets inside a home, levels build up over time. 

The only way to know if radon is present is to test for it. If you don't live in Tompkins County, radon kits can be bought at your nearest hardware store, or through the New York State Department of Health. 

If you live in Tompkins County, for more information, please visit here or call 607-274-6702.