 Radon is the Second Leading Cause of Lung Cancer in U.S.
The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is offering free radon test kits to residents throughout January, coinciding with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's designation of January as National Radon Action Month.
The radon kits are available to Kent County residents and must be picked up in person at any one of four clinic locations during regular business hours in January while supplies last. Click here for a list of clinic locations and hours.
Radon is an odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas formed by the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil. It seeps into homes through foundation cracks, floor drains, and sump crocks. Radon gas can accumulate in basements or lower levels of homes, especially during winter months when houses are kept closed. This makes January the perfect time to test your home.
Exposure to radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States (behind smoking). Estimates suggest radon kills 21,000 people from lung cancer each year in the United States.
The only way to determine if elevated levels of radon exist in your home is to test! Kits are easy to use and testing can be completed in less than a week. Testing for radon is recommended every few years or after completion of certain household construction projects.
Residents using the kits and the State of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will receive the results. Residents can use the information when deciding on how best to pursue remediation, and EGLE gains a better understanding of the locations and prevalence of radon in Michigan. For help understanding the test results, residents should the KCHD Environmental Health Division at 616-632-6900.
If elevated radon levels, above 4 pCi/L, are detected in your home, there are options to help reduce exposure. Radon mitigation systems are often installed to help vent radon gas collecting under a home to the outside atmosphere. Additional mitigation options include sealing cracks, gaps, and sump pits in a basement or installing vapor barriers.
EGLE has developed a map of radon risk zones for Michigan. Kent County is typically categorized as having a moderate to high levels of radon.
Additional information about radon testing and how to remediate it can be found in these two KCHD podcasts.
 CDC Says Respiratory Illness Rates are High in Michigan
Respiratory viruses are on the rise in Michigan and in Kent County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitors flu activity across the U.S. and now categorizes Michigan's flu activity level as high. Local hospitals are seeing an increase in upper respiratory illnesses including influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID.
The rise in the three illnesses has many of us feeling the symptoms which may include runny nose, congestion, and coughing. But how can you tell if what you have is a common cold or something more severe?
COVID has changed. For people who are up to date on vaccination the symptoms are much less severe and can easily be confused with a cold. At first, one of the telltale signs of COVID was the loss of taste and smell. Health officials say that isn't happening as much anymore because of the level of immunity people have acquired from having the illness, getting vaccinated, or both.
If it is COVID, you may have stomach issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The flu and RSV do not usually have these symptoms. If you are having gastrointestinal issues with your other symptoms, you should consider a COVID test.
RSV can be fairly mild, but for people over 65 and children the illness can become very severe. Medical professionals say RSV patients will typically have wheezing or symptoms that look like asthma flare ups. RSV symptoms usually in stages over the course of 4 to 6 days.
The flu generally comes all at once. Sudden onset of symptoms like fever, cough, fatigue, body aches and a sore throat can seem to strike out of the blue. COVID, colds and RSV do not do behave that way, instead a person may have new symptoms for several days when they have become infected with those illnesses.
This chart can help you interpret your symptoms.
 I have some of these symptoms, now what?
When you are feeling symptoms, medical professionals say that getting tested for COVID should be the first thing on the list. If that is negative, it is wise to get a flu test. After a positive flu test, you may be prescribed antiviral drugs like Tamiflu that can dramatically shorten the number of days you suffer.
You should seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing severe flu symptoms like difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, dizziness, seizures or severe weakness or muscle pain.
Fortunately vaccines exist for COVID, RSV and influenza and there is still time to protect yourself if you have not received yours yet. Other simple steps you can take to protect yourself and others include staying home if you are sick and washing your hands correctly and often.
Call KCHD today to make your vaccine appointment at 616-632-7200.
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
More than 11,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. However, the good news is that vaccination and regular screening can prevent the disease.
Almost all cervical cancers, as well as other types of cancer in both men and women, are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV vaccine, available at all KCHD clinics, protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancers.
- HPV vaccination is recommended for preteens aged 11 to 12 years, but can be given starting at age 9.
- HPV vaccine also is recommended for everyone through age 26 years, if they are not vaccinated already.
- HPV vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some adults age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their doctor about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination. HPV vaccination in this age range provides less benefit, as more people have already been exposed to HPV.
HPV vaccination prevents new infections but does not treat existing infections or diseases. You should get screened for cervical cancer regularly, even if you received an HPV vaccine.
Learn about cervical cancer with this resource from the CDC and get the details about HPV vaccination and screening tests. Please call 616-632-7200 for an appointment to discuss HPV vaccine.
 KCHD Staff Gives the Gift of Life
Fourteen staff members took time out of their busy day on December 14 to save the lives of 38 people they will never meet. By taking part in a blood drive held at KCHD with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan they came to the rescue at a time of the year when donations are typically down and the demand is unusually high.
Versiti is the main source of blood for the hospitals in Kent County. The agency says it needs to gather 620 pints daily to fill the need. Fourteen donors at KCHD may not seem like a drop in the bucket when compared with the obligation but Nikki DuRoceher, Account Representative at Versiti, says more than half of all the blood the agency obtains is from small events just like this one.
KCHD's Julie Taylor organized the event. She says beyond the donors, the commitment of KCHD leadership deserves part of the credit for the success. "I think it shows a great partnership between staff and leadership. Donating is not easy for a lot of our staff because they are serving clients steadily throughout the day. Our leadership giving staff the flexibility to take an hour to donate shows a great commitment to the community."
Since the first KCHD blood drive in 2008, 515 pints of blood have been donated by KCHD staff, potentially saving 1575 lives by doing two events a year. In 2023, a third event was added giving more staff an opportunity donate.
Inactive Email Address for COVID Inquiries
Effective Feb. 1, our COVID-related email, covid@kentcountymi.gov, will no longer be active. For any inquiries or assistance related to the Health Department, please call 616-632-7100.
Office Closure
All Health Department clinics and offices will be closed on Monday, January 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 16 at 8 a.m.
|
 Consider a Career with Kent County
Competitive pay and benefits, an opportunity to serve your community, and employee growth and development opportunities are just some of the reasons to consider a career with Kent County. There are currently openings in a wide variety of positions. Click below and start your journey with Kent County now.
|
