For Friday, Jan. 11, 2019

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1 – Every year, thousands of trees are removed in cities as part of routine maintenance and utility line pruning, state officials say. Most of that wood ends up in landfills, is sold for firewood or gets chipped for mulch.

But some logs can be repurposed for use as lumber or other products.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says a new toolkit is available with tips on how communities can start an urban wood program.

It’s a planning guide for city officials, businesses and others that could use logs and lumber made from urban trees.

This project is part of an effort to promote economic development and the sustainable and efficient use of wood products.

For more information, see miurbanwoodnetwork.com/toolkit.

2 – January is National Radon Action Month.

In Michigan, the state Department of Environmental Quality says one in four homes is expected to have radon levels that exceed the recommended federal action level.

This matters because radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind smoking.  

You can’t see, smell or taste radon. The only way to know if you have elevated radon levels is to test.

You can pick up a free test kit during the month of January at your local county health department.

Testing is recommended every two years because homes settle, new cracks form in the foundation and radon levels can change.  

More information is online at michigan.gov/deq.

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard Friday mornings in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Q-90.1 FM NPR. Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes