WASHINGTON — (WMAL) A new requirement is being proposed in Montgomery County to help protect homeowners from getting cancer from radon exposure.

The county council’s transportation, infrastructure, energy and environment committee recommended Monday the full council approve a law that would require home buyers to do radon tests before closing.

Currently, home sellers are required to tell home buyers there is radon in the home, but many don’t even realize the gas is present.

“Radon can kill you,” said committee member Marc Elrich.

Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. for smokers and the leading cause for nonsmokers.

The test to detect radon costs between $15 and $25, a worthwhile expense in the eyes of committee member Roger Berliner.

Committee member Craig Rice said in a press release that Montgomery County experiences high levels of radon gas.

Senior Legislative Attorney Robert Drummer said the law would be difficult to enforce if the home buyer, seller and attorney ignore it but said the idea would be to encourage more home buyers to get the test done.

The proposed legislation will next go to the full council for approval.

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