OTTAWA — If you live in Franklin County, you should be aware of radon but you shouldn’t be worried by it. January is National Radon Awareness Month and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said radon is a silent killer that kills 20,000 Americans each year. But county planner Larry Walrod said you don’t need to order your gas masks yet. Because of the soil types found in Franklin County, radon isn’t as big as a problem as those places with large concentrations of granite and limestone in the ground. In Franklin County, you should be more concerned if you have an older house or a basement, he said. You can keep an eye on radon by periodically using inexpensive radon test kits. Kits are available at the Extension office. You can also ensure you have adequate ventilation and air circulation in your home, he said.
