Many people in New Jersey live in moderate- to high-risk areas of radon, the health department said.
State officials want residents to test their homes for an undetectable radioactive gas that could cause cancer.
The New Jersey Department of Health said one in six New Jersey homes has elevated levels of radon, according to a press release.
Radon occurs naturally and has no color, odor or taste, and moves into soil and home foundations. The gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer and causes an estimated 566 deaths in New Jersey each year.
New Jersey Radon potential map. "Testing your home is the only way to know if your home's radon level is high," Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett said in the release. "Radon problems can be fixed by installing a radon mitigation system."
Many people in New Jersey live in moderate- to high-risk areas of radon, the health department's release said.
According to a map from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties fall into the first tier -- with the highest risk of radon exposure.
The NJDEP has published a list of certified companies to provide radon testing. Residents can also test radon themselves by buying testing kits from hardware stores, home centers or through the mail.
The health department said only 30 percent of New Jersey households have been tested.
Rajeev Dhir may be reached at rdhir@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @googasmammoo. Find NJ.com on Facebook.