One of the perks of living in the Winston-Salem area is having access to data provided by Forsyth County as a public service, including information on radon, pollen, and air quality.
Living in a location with good air quality is essential for maintaining good health, supporting a high quality of life, and fostering a sustainable and vibrant community. It contributes to physical well-being, mental health, and overall life satisfaction. In the Winston-Salem area, the Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection protects public health and the environment by minimizing the impacts of environmental contaminants, educating the public about pollution prevention, and promoting the conservation of natural resources in the community.
Radon in Winston-Salem
Indoor air has always contained natural and human-made impurities, which can affect the comfort and health of the building occupants. Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that escapes when uranium in the soil decays and is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers in the United States. Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed January as Radon Action Month to raise the public’s awareness of radon, promote testing and mitigation, and reduce the risk of lung cancer from radon. Testing is the only way to know if you or your family is at risk, and North Carolina residents can order a free test kit while supplies last.
What you need to know about radon in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, N.C.:
- Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers in the United States, resulting in about 20,000 deaths annually.
- Exposure occurs when radon becomes concentrated in a home, school, or workplace as it seeps through cracks in the foundation or other natural openings in a structure.
- High radon levels exist in homes across North Carolina, and the EPA designated Winston-Salem and Forsyth County a Zone 2 with moderate potential for radon gas (average indoor radon levels may be between 2 and 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).
- To decrease the risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer, reduce radon in your home if concentrations are four picocuries per liter or higher. Exposure to 4 pCi/L is the equivalent of smoking eight cigarettes per day!
- According to the Forsyth County Department of Health, 40% of homes in the Piedmont Triad area have radon levels above the US EPA level of 4.0 pCi/L. Any home in the area is at risk for elevated radon levels.
- Radon testing is easy and the only way to know if your home has harmful radon levels. The NC Department of Health and Human Services recommends Forsyth County residents test indoor air for radon and private well water for radionuclides.
- Typically, home buyers test for radon during real estate exchanges. Still, even if the concentration is below the “action level” of 4.0 pCi/L at the time of purchase, it is advisable to test again every two years since it could change over time. Testing is the only way to know if you or your family is at risk, and North Carolina residents can order a free test kit (while supplies last).
- The NC Radon Program recommends that North Carolina residents hire a certified radon professional to install a mitigation system for concentrations between 2.0 and 3.9 pCi/L.
- The Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection webpage provides a comprehensive overview of radon, including what it is, how to test for it, what to do if levels are high in your home, and other helpful resources.
Pollen in Winston-Salem
Many people suffer from pollen allergies. Symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and itchy or watery eyes. The Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection’s Pollen Program assists residents with pollen allergies with pollen monitoring, reporting, and forecasting to inform people about local pollen conditions. With this information, those who suffer from allergies can better understand their allergies and manage their daily activities to minimize their exposure to pollen.
What you need to know about pollen in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, N.C.:
- Winston-Salem’s local pollen season typically occurs from late February through late October.
- During pollen season, the county posts a daily Pollen Report indicating the day’s pollen rating and predominant pollen type (trees, grasses, or weeds) and pollen forecast for the next three days.
- Each weekday afternoon during the pollen season, the Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection emails the daily Pollen Report to Pollen Report subscribers.
Air Quality in Winston-Salem
Air quality affects how you live and breathe. Like the weather, it can change from day to day or even hour to hour. Up-to-date information allows you to make decisions based on air quality forecasts. EnviroFlash comes to you through a partnership between the US EPA and the Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection, notifying you about air quality so you don’t have to search for it.
