EPA. US: In recognizing January as National Radon Action
Month, EPA encourages Americans around the country to test their homes
for this naturally occurring radioactive gas and make 2015 a healthier,
safer new year.
“Many people don’t realize that radon is the second
cause of lung cancer after smoking,” said EPA Administrator Gina
McCarthy. “The good news is radon exposure is preventable. Testing and
fixing for radon will save thousands of lives, prevent burdensome
health care costs, and make America’s homes and schools safer for future
generations.”
Each year about 21,000 Americans die from lung cancer caused by exposure to radon. Testing
is the only way to know if a home has elevated levels of radon. The
U.S. Surgeon General and EPA recommend taking action to reduce the radon
level if it’s at or above 4 picocuries per Liter (pCi/L) of air.
Affordable do-it-yourself radon test kits are
available online, at many home improvement and hardware stores, or you
can hire a qualified radon professional.
If your test result is 4 pCi/L or more, you should contact a qualified radon-reduction or mitigation contractor.
A professionally installed radon reduction
system removes the radon from beneath your home and discharges it
harmlessly outside. That’s done by using a vent pipe and exhaust fan.
Taking action to reduce your exposure to radon
is also a long-term health investment. A working mitigation system is a
positive selling point for homes on the market; in many areas a radon
test is a standard part of real estate transactions. If you’re building a
new home, work with your builder to include radon-resistant construction techniques.
More information on how to test, obtain a test
kit, contact your state radon office, and find a qualified radon
professional is available at http://www.epa.gov/radon or by calling 1-800-SOS-RADON.