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REPUBLIC TOWNSHIP -- It's an invisible and odorless killer that led to the death of 20,000 Americans last year.  It's radon gas, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

Mark Hillman and his wife have been living in their Republic Township home for a year now.  But they never knew what hidden dangers lurked in their house until someone at work told Mark about radon gas.

"A few years ago they reinsulated (my house) and put windows in here, so it's a lot tighter in here than when it was originally built,” said Mark.  “So whenever you have a newer house, radon can't leak out of the house, it just kind of gathers in your house.”

According to the Marquette County Health Department, the Republic area is known for the highest level of radon ever detected in the state--100 times the normal and safe level.

Mark tested his home with a $12  radon test kit from the health department.  He just opened it up, popped in a sponge, and let it sit for three days in his basement.  Then he mailed it in for results.

Fred Benzie with the health department says radon gas comes from uranium in the earth.

"Uranium is an element found in rocks and soil and as it decays, it gives off radiation, which is eventually inhaled deeply into the lungs," said Benzie.

Benzie says all homes should be tested for radon.

As for Mark, his radon test showed levels 30 times the average.  So he installed a mitigation system.  He dug a hole into the cement basement floor and installed a pipe that, with the help of a fan, blows the radon gas outside through a vent.

Now Mark and his wife can rest easy, knowing they won't be a victim to the invisible and deadly gas.