State to Measure Radon in Homes

Radon, a naturally occurring gas that can increase the risk of lung cancer, will be the subject of a study of 1,000 Ventura County homes, the State Department of Health Services has announced.

Radon levels in 30 homes in each zip code area of the county will be measured, according to Donald W. Koepp, county environmental health director, whose agency will assist the state in carrying out the detailed study.

“Those measurements, together with measurements in 10 to 25 homes per zip code in adjacent areas of Los Angeles County, will enable them to determine the geographic extent of the region of radon, the level of risk and the number of homes potentially affected,” Koepp said.

The study was ordered by the state after results of a study in the Los Angeles area by the Los Angeles Times that indicated there may be elevated radon levels in some homes in southeastern Ventura County, particularly in the communities of Moorpark, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley.

Radon, which originates in rocks from sea sediments, can enter a home if the foundation is not well-built.

Homes for the survey were picked at random. Letters about the survey were sent last week by the state to about 6,000 households. Measurements will begin in late May, Koepp said.