According to the US Surgeon General and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), every home should be tested for Radon gas. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
While as many as 1 in 10 area houses have excessive levels of Radon, testing of each house is the only way to know if a problem exists.
What is Radon?
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can't see, smell, or taste radon, but Radon in the home may be a problem for you. It is estimated that Radon causes many thousands of deaths each year because breathing air that contains Radon can cause lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high Radon levels, your risk of contracting lung cancer is especially high.
Can My Home Be Affected By Radon?
Any home can have high levels of Radon no matter the age or foundation type. Radon can be found all over the U.S. Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water, entering the air you breathe. It can infiltrate any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - and build up to high levels. But you and your family will most likely receive your greatest exposure where you spend most of your time... your home.
How Do I Find Out if I Have Dangerous Radon Levels?
You should have a Radon test performed. Performing a radon test is the only way to measure radon exposure and know if you and your family are at risk. The EPA and Surgeon General recommend conducting a Radon test on all homes, second floor and below. Your Inspector is an EPA certified Radon measurement technician and can perform testing services at a reasonable fee.
What if I Have Excessive Radon Levels in My Home?
You can fix a Radon problem. There are simple, relatively inexpensive measures for Radon reduction that you can take to fix a Radon problem, and even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. Mitigation costs range from about $900 to $2000.
Learn more.
EPA.gov
