UGA Cooperative Extension
Walton County Extension Office:
Family & Consumer Sciences
EFNEP (Expanded Foods Nutrition Education Program)
UGA Family and Consumer Sciences Cooperative Extension programs place non-biased, research-based information at your fingertips. County agents and specialists throughout the state provide cutting edge knowledge on many topics, including home food preservation, parenting, personal financial management, and healthy eating habits. Turn to the local experts when you need the answers that matter most in your life.
EFNEP (Expanded Foods Nutrition Education Program)
Walk Georgia 
Walton County Staff Members participate in Walk Georgia
Fall 2010
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The fall session of Walk Georgia begins September 5th and ends on October 30th. Walk your way across Georgia in just eight weeks getting fit and trim through a variety of physical activities. Think about your time spent in gardening, exercising, swimming, cycling, fall ball games and may more activities can help with counting your miles up to walk across Georgia.
You may participate as an individual or a team of four. Talk to your family, co-workers, and friends. Virtually walk your way across Georgia in just eight weeks and feel great about feeling better, eating better, and losing a few pounds. At the end we will meet with the top team to present a trophy and prizes.
To track your activity, go to www.walkgeorgia.org it is simple and easy to follow the directions to log on yourself or your team. You will log on your time in minutes and Walk Georgia will convert to miles. Yes you can count activity at work, then time spent with your family. You will virtually walk across Georgia and as one person in Walton County said “they found a great place to vacation close to home they never knew about”. “ Others have said they have enjoyed Walk Georgia so much that they kept up the activity they started, and feel better for continuing the program.”
It is easy to do, just log on to www.walkgeorgia.org August 22 – September 14. We would like to see a healthier Walton County and it begins with you.
If you have more questions call the Walton County Cooperative Extension office at 770 267-1324
Walton Cooperative Extension
Walk Georgia
- Beneficial support from the Walton County Health Care Foundation, Inc.
Radon Facts
- Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the USA today. Radon induced lung cancer is responsible for more deaths each year than drunk driving!
- Radon is an invisible, naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the decay of uranium found in most rocks and soil. Once inside an enclosed building, radon can build to high levels.
- Your greatest radon exposure is most likely your home. All homes with a radon problem can be fixed. New homes can be built with radon-resistant construction techniques.
- Testing for radon is easy. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk. All homes should be tested for radon.
Radon Overview
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas.
You can't see radon. And you can't smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home.
Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That's because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
Radon can be found all over the U.S.
Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building — homes, offices, and schools — and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time.
You should test for radon.
Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. EPA also recommends testing in schools.
Testing is inexpensive and easy — it should only take a few minutes of your time. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes for radon (see How to Test Your Home).
You can fix a radon problem.
Radon reduction systems work and they are not too costly. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.
New homes can be built with radon-resistant features.
Radon-resistant construction techniques can be effective in preventing radon entry.When installed properly and completely, these simple and inexpensive techniques can help reduce indoor radon levels in homes.In addition, installing them at the time of construction makes it easier and less expensive to reduce radon levels further if these passive techniques don't reduce radon levels to below 4 pCi/L.Every new home should be tested after occupancy, even if it was built radon-resistant.If radon levels are still in excess of 4 pCi/L, the passive system should be activated by having a qualified mitigator install a vent fan.For more explanation of radon resistant construction techniques, refer to EPA publication, Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Build Radon-Resistant Homes (see www.epa.gov/radon/rrnc).Radon Health Facts
About the Walton County Radon Education Program
The Walton County Radon Education Program began in 2003 as one of four targeted radon areas in the state. Education programs are presented to: schools, civic groups, churches, health fairs, realtors, builders, building inspectors, senior groups, educators and medical professionals.
Walton County residents are encouraged to test for radon and to reduce high levels to acceptable levels. Radon test kits are available at the Walton County Cooperative Extension Office in Monroe for $5.00. Or order a radon test kit through the mail for $6.50 at www.UGAradon.com. Walton County radon test results tend to run 2 to 3 times the national average. Testing is the only way to know if you have a radon problem.
The National Radon Poster Contest promotion results in an increased awareness of radon and the need to test. Walton County students won the State of Georgia and National Radon Poster Contest 3 years. The contest is open to all school children ages 9-14. The National Radon Poster Contest is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Contact Us
Walton County Cooperative Extension
100 North Broad St.
Monroe, GA 30655
(770) 267-1324
(770) 267-1428 - fax
Last update 11-22-2010
