Radon 🫁

January is National Radon Action Month: Protecting Your Home and Health from Radon Exposure

January is National Radon Action Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of radon—a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the United States. Despite being a serious health risk, radon often goes undetected in homes because it cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. In fact, the only way to know if your home has high radon levels is through testing. This month, we’re focusing on the importance of testing for radon and taking steps to protect our families from its harmful effects.

What Is Radon and Why Is It Dangerous?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It can seep into homes through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, or through other openings in the building. While radon is found in outdoor air at low levels, it can accumulate indoors, particularly in lower levels such as basements or crawl spaces, where ventilation is often poor. This makes radon exposure a concern for homeowners, renters, and building occupants everywhere.

The primary danger of radon exposure is its role in causing lung cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), radon exposure is responsible for around 21,000 deaths from lung cancer each year in the United States alone. The risk is even higher for people who smoke or have smoked in the past, but radon is a serious threat to non-smokers as well. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall, just behind smoking.

How Does Radon Cause Lung Cancer?

When radon gas is inhaled, tiny radioactive particles can enter the lungs. Over time, these particles can damage the cells lining the lungs, leading to DNA mutations that increase the risk of lung cancer. The more time you spend in a home with high radon levels, the greater your exposure and the higher your risk of developing lung cancer.

One of the biggest challenges with radon is that its effects are cumulative. The longer you're exposed, the greater the health risk. This is why testing is so important—because you can’t know if your home has high radon levels unless you measure it.

The Importance of Radon Testing

During National Radon Action Month, the focus is on educating homeowners and renters about the importance of testing their homes for radon. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that all homes, even those without a history of high radon levels, be tested for radon. In fact, one in every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels that exceed the EPA’s recommended action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air.

Radon testing is simple, affordable, and can be done using a do-it-yourself radon test kit or by hiring a professional radon measurement service. If radon levels in your home are high, there are several steps you can take to reduce exposure.

Mitigating Radon Risks: What You Can Do

If radon levels in your home are found to be high, don't panic—there are effective ways to reduce the risks of exposure. Here are some of the most common methods for radon mitigation:

1. Sub-slab Depressurization: This is the most common and effective method for lowering radon levels. It involves installing a pipe system under the foundation of the home that draws radon gas out and vents it outside.

2. Sealing Cracks and Openings: Sealing cracks in the foundation, around windows, and other openings can reduce the amount of radon that enters the home.

3. Improving Ventilation: Increasing the airflow in your home, especially in the basement or lower levels, can help to disperse radon and reduce its concentration.

4. Radon-Resistant New Construction: For new homes, radon-resistant construction techniques can be used to prevent radon from entering the home in the first place.

The cost of radon mitigation varies depending on the size of the home and the severity of the radon problem, but it is often a one-time expense that provides long-term health benefits.

How to Test for Radon in Your Home

Testing for radon is straightforward and can be done at any time. The two most common types of radon test kits are:

• Short-term tests: These measure radon levels for a period of 2 to 90 days. They are the most common and give a quick result.

• Long-term tests: These are used to measure radon levels over a period of 90 days or more and give a more accurate average level of radon in your home.

Both test kits are available at home improvement stores or online. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to conduct the test. If you find high levels of radon in your home, it’s crucial to take action immediately to reduce the exposure.

Radon Awareness and Prevention: What You Can Do

As part of National Radon Action Month, the goal is to empower individuals and families to take action to protect their health and the health of those they love. Here’s what you can do:

1. Test your home for radon, especially if you live in an area where radon is known to be a problem. You can find information on radon levels in your area from the EPA or state health departments.

2. Encourage others to test: If you know someone who hasn’t tested their home for radon, encourage them to do so. It could save their lives.

3. Consider radon mitigation: If you or someone you know has elevated radon levels in their home, take steps to reduce exposure with proper radon mitigation strategies.

4. Stay informed: Learn more about radon, its risks, and how to protect yourself and your family from exposure. Organizations like the EPA and the American Lung Association offer resources and information.

Take Action for Your Health

National Radon Action Month is an important reminder that radon is a serious, invisible health risk that many people are unaware of. It’s essential for everyone—especially those living in high-risk areas—to test their homes for radon and take action to reduce exposure if necessary. Lung cancer caused by radon exposure is preventable, and by taking simple steps like testing and mitigating radon in your home, you can significantly reduce the risk.

This January, take the opportunity to protect your home and health. Test for radon, and encourage others to do the same. With knowledge, proactive measures, and mitigation, we can prevent radon-related health risks and ensure healthier homes for everyone. Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Let them know, point them this way and Keep that smile Smiling:)