Most people are familiar with the dangers of carbon monoxide, but very few know of the dangerous gas, radon, that can be in found in your home. And, like carbon monoxide, radon exposure causes serious threats to health, and thousands of deaths a year.
Scientific studies indicate it is the second leading cause of lung cancer with smokers having eight times the risk of non-smokers to radon exposure. It is estimated by the U.S. Environmental Protective Agency and the Surgeon General’s Office that 20,000 people die each year from radon exposure and is responsible for over $2 billion a year in health care costs.
I didn’t know what radon was until I did some research on it. The dictionary defines radon as a colorless, radioactive, inert gaseous element formed by disintegration of radium. Radon is found beneath your home in the soil, of naturally decaying radium and uranium the soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. So when you breathe the air that has radon, (you are actually breathing a radioactive gas), your chances for lung cancer increase especially if you are a smoker according to the Surgeon General. Radon can enter your home or any type of building through well water supply, cracks in the floors, walls, service pipes, gaps and cracks in the building materials of your home and the amount of radon varies with each house. Soil and water are the two main sources of radon entering your home.
It is estimated that one out of fifteen homes in the U.S. test for elevated radon levels. Radon is odorless, colorless, tasteless and invisible. The only way to know if your home has elevated radon levels is to test for it. The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to protect you and your loved ones. First, buyer-beware. If you are planning on purchasing an existing home, or renting an apartment, it is important to have the structure tested for elevated radon levels. If you are considering building a new home, you can include radon resistant features, or ask the builder of a new home if it has these features. Testing is very easy and inexpensive and home kits are available in hardware stores, through the mail and internet sources for measuring levels of radon. Of course you can always hire a qualified tester to do it for you through your State Radon Office.
If your home tests for elevated levels of radon, there are a few things you can do. One way to reduce the levels of radon in your home is to use a soil suction radon reduction system (a vent pipe and a fan), and sealing foundation cracks and openings. Warm air rises in the house and exits through the attic and upper floor windows creating a suction action, pulling radon out of the soil up into the house, much like a chimney. Once you have tested and taken preventative measures, it is important to monitor any radon leaks that might occur by installing a radon detector. We have all heard about how every home should have a carbon monoxide detector, and smoke alarms. A good radon detector should be added to this list for the safety of you and your family.