According to a new American Lung Association report, high levels of radon have been detected in about 14% of homes in New York.

The state Health Department says Cortland and Chemung counties have the highest radon rates in the state, but many other counties are close behind.

Madison County leaders say about 40% of basements in county homes may have elevated radon levels.

“Just the soil makeup, the rocks beneath us. Radon comes from the radioactive decay of radium, which comes from the radioactive decay of uranium. When that decay process happens, the radioactive gas is released, and there's just a high prevalence here in Madison County," said Madison County Health Department Healthy Homes Program Coordinator Keegan Richie.

Richie said radon cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. Due to its elusive nature, the only way to know if it is present is to test for it.

“You can get these from your county health department or hardware store. It has to sit in your house for a minimum of 48 hours so that it samples the air. When it’s done, you seal them back up and send them to the lab, and a few days later you’ll get the results," explained Ross Relyea, the owner and inspector of Sweet Homes Chittenango.

The state Department of Health recommends using two charcoal canister measurements before making a decision on mitigation, or contacting a professional to use a continuous electronic radon monitor.

But it said those tests are short-term, and also noted there are long-term testing options.

“The only way to really fix a problem with radon when there's elevated levels is to contact one of those certified radon mitigation contractors and install an active depressurization system, otherwise known as a radon mitigation system," Richie said.

Richie said exposure to radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

The Madison County Health Department is offering homeowners in their county a free radon test kit while supplies last. The state Department of Health says a radon test should be done “when buying a home, after doing major renovations, every two years if there is a mitigation system installed or every five years otherwise.”