Inspectors Raise Radon Awareness, Seek to Reduce Risk
January is National Radon Action Month and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have elevated radon levels, causing thousands of lung cancer deaths. each year.
Radon is a health threat because its radioactive gas can collect in homes causing high levels of concentration. Since radon cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, its presence and health effects can go undetected for an extended period of time unless testing is performed.
According to the Surgeon General, homes should be tested every two years, and retested when moving, after making structural changes/improvements, or upon occupying a previously unused level of a house.
"The aim of National Radon Action Month is to increase the public's awareness of radon, promote radon testing and mitigation for existing dwellings, and help newly constructed homes become more radon resistant," states Kylene Golubski, vice president of Business Development at http://websiteinspects.comInspect-It 1st's corporate office. "Most of the public's exposure to natural radiation comes from radon found in homes and office buildings that has seeped through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can also be found in a home's drinking water and when agitated, as when showering or washing dishes, radon escapes into the air."
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium found in soil, rock and water. There is no safe level of radon ─ any exposure poses some risk of concern. Levels of 4 pCi/L or higher require immediate attention.
"Testing is the only way to know a home's radon level," states Golubski. "There are no immediate symptoms that will alert a homeowner to the presence of radon and it typically takes years of exposure before any health problems surface. The good news is there are several easy ways to quickly reduce elevated radon levels by up to 99 percent," states Golubski.