We spend a great deal of time warning about the dangers of radon exposure and how it increases the risk of cancer, or more specifically lung cancer. While lung cancer does have an extremely high mortality rate, there are other forms of the disease out there as well as other dangers that can increase the risk of contracting it.

Radon Not the Only Radiation Risk

Image by Thirteen of Clubs

Believe it or not, Computerised Tomography (CT) scans are known to increase the risk of cancer for those exposed to radiation during the procedure. The worst part about it is that CT scans are one of the most common forms of radioactive exposure for people the world over. A committee on the medical aspects of radiation in the environment, is pushing hospitals to be more transparent about the dangers associated with CT scans. The committee believes that hospitals should disclose information to the public about frequent dose survey and the related results.

Professor Alex Elliot, the committee’s chairman believes knowing the amount of exposure during a scan is integral to understanding the health risk.

“If we don’t know how much radiation we are exposed to we can’t work out what that risk of that radiation is.”

The Radiation Risk from CT Scans is Real

According to Elliot, since the 1990s the total number of CT scans being performed in England have increased from about 1 million to 5 million. In other words, scans are used much more openly today than in the past and that number is likely increasing more and more.

Elliot says that the plan is not to scare people away from getting scans when necessary, but instead to help doctors understand when the benefits that can come from a scan overshadow the risk.

“When Public Health England did the last survey they wrote [to hospitals] and asked for volunteers and the good guys returned the data but others didn’t so we have an incomplete survey. The best we had . . . was a one-third return rate. So we are suggesting that the departments of health include within regulations that not just the NHS but all health providers should return those data.”

CT scans are used just as much in other countries too, such as the United States, and Canada. Of the total radiation dosage most people are receiving, artificial sources account for a great deal of it. Of course, other dangers include exposure to nuclear power plants, elecromagnetic fields and radon gas.

A study in 2012 estimates that young patients exposed to radiation from just five to ten CT scans, which are directed at their head, will have more than a tripled risk of developing brain cancer or leukemia. To put it bluntly, the dangers and risk are still evident if you take the time to notice.

It makes a lot of sense then why Professor Elliot, and other committee members are interested in fully understanding the risks.

Via: Financial Times UK

It’s always good news when a new company crops up focused on combating a local radon problem. The biggest issue with radon is that not enough people know it exists. The more brands and businesses that are out there helping deal with radon, the more people will know there is a problem.

Radon Systems of Indiana to Combat Local Radon Problem

An Evansville Indiana based company has put together a new division dedicated to combating radon, the deadly and naturally ocurring radioactive gas. Hopefully you know by now – you do if you frequent this site anyway – that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. It is responsible for taking the lives of more than 20,000 US citizens every year. There are no symptoms of radon poisoning, and even worse is the fact that lung cancer does not show any short term symptoms either. In fact, by the time someone is diagnosed with lung cancer the disease has likely passed well beyond a curable state.

The company known as Radon Systems of Indiana, was licensed to begin radon testing in March 2013, and has since put together a radon testing and mitigation program. In layman’s terms that means they are now certified to test for the presence of radon, and can install mitigation systems that will remove the gas from inside a residence.

Testing is one of the most important steps in the radon removal process. That is because radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless which means the only way to identify it’s presence is to run a test for it. This is done by collecting air samples, which will reveal whether or not the air inside a residence is contaminated or not.

Joe Neth, one of the owners of Radon Systems, describes how radon gas can enter a home – seeping up from the soil through cracks in the foundation, walls or flooring.

“Soil differs everywhere, also, every home is built a little different. The entry points for radon can vary from any pipe opening, any cracks in the foundation or any gaps or openings. Every house is just a little bit different. There’s no trend that you can look at.”

It is a common misconception that radon gas is a myth, and that it cannot exist in modern homes. While most homes developed today include radon resistant measures, that doesn’t mean the gas can’t make its way inside. Radon does not discriminate, and it can enter into any home, old or new. Even though the problem has been around for a long time, it hasn’t gone away. Radon is still very much a problem today as it was twenty years ago.

“It is so easy to test for.” Neth says. “It is a real problem out there, and I think Southern Indiana is just slow to acknowledge it or to be educated on it.”

It’s Not Just a Local Radon Problem

It’s not just Southern Indiana that’s slow to react, however. Many people all over the country have no idea it’s even a problem. What’s really sad is that testing and mitigation – the process of removing radon from a home – are both relatively cheap. That becomes even more so when you consider the fact that lung cancer has a remarkably high mortality rate. It’s better to pay the money early and eliminate radon from a home, before it creates a health problem.

Don’t think it’s a problem? According to the Indiana Department of Health, just about one out of every four homes tested in the state have had elevated levels of radon, that were well above average readings. More than 300 radon tests were completed in Vanderburgh County, and more than 100 were completed in Warrick during 2013 — of that, 26 to 100 mitigation systems were installed in homes in both counties.

Furthermore, the United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one out of every fifteen homes in the country is plagued by elevated radon levels. In other words, in your local neighborhood there’s likely one or two homes nearby that have an issue – if not your own home.

Just some food for thought.

Via: Evansville Courier & Press

Image by the University of Liverpool

Even though we consider ourselves an authority when it comes to delivering information and resources about the deadly gas radon, we understand that it’s smarter to browse resources across multiple channels. In order to make sure information is correct it makes more sense to compare it across a wide group of sources. That’s why, today we’ve decided to share with you additional resources including places where you can learn more about radon and its associated dangers. Some of the resources listed are, in fact, where we get a lot of our own information from.

Additional Radon Resources and Contacts in the U.S.

• 1-800-426-4791: Hotline that provides information on radon in water, testing and treatment solutions, and more.

The following list of numbers and contacts are manned by the Kansas State University in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. You can also visit their website at SOS Radon for more information.

• 1-800-SOSRADON (1-800-767-7236): Purchase radon testing kits over the phone.
• 1-800-55RADON (1-800-557-2366): Live help for radon related questions.
• 1-800-644-6999: Hotline that provides information about fixing radon problems, such as reducing elevated levels in a residence.

National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP)

Toll Free: (800) 269-4174 or (828) 890-4117
Fax: (828) 890-4161
Website: www.nrpp.info
Email: [email protected]

National Radon Safety Board (NRSB)

Website: www.nrsb.org
Call: (866) 329-3474
Fax: (914) 345-1169
Email: [email protected]

Additional Radon Resources and Contacts in Canada

Radiation Health Assessment Division
Radiation Protection Bureau
Health Canada
775 Brookfield Road
A.L. 6302D
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1C1

E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 613-946-6384 or 613-948-3232
Teletypewriter: 1-800-465-7735 (Service Canada)

Additional Radon Resources and Contacts in Europe

European Radon Association

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Even More Information Here at Radon Resources

Of course, on top of all the sources listed here Radon Resources is an excellent place to find more information on radon and its associated dangers. Whether you’re looking for information in mitigation, testing or real estate we’ve got plenty of content.

Another great resource for US residents is the dedicated radon channel over at the Environmental Protection Agency website.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer all across the world. In the US it is responsible for claiming more than 20,000 lives each year. One of the biggest problems with it is that there are no short term exposure symptoms. Even worse, the gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless which means the only way to discover its presence is to test specifically for it.

Most homeowners spend decades in a home with polluted air. Radon seeps into a home through cracks in the foundation, walls and floors and can be a problem anywhere. It doesn’t matter if the home is new or old, you can still have problems with radon. That said, newer homes are developed using radon resistant construction techniques although that’s no guarantee radon won’t seep inside.

The more people know about radon, the more lives we can save. Get the word out there about the problem and feel free to share these contacts with anyone who’s interested.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for taking the lives of more than 20,000 Americans every year. It’s also a problem elsewhere in the world too. It is also responsible for taking the lives of more than 3,000 Canadians every year.

One of the biggest problems with radon is that most people have no clue it exists. Even worse, a lot of information making the rounds is false. For example, most people believe that radon mitigation is expensive or costly. In terms of health, nothing that ensures you and your family remain healthy and safe should be considered expensive. Furthermore, to put a dollar amount on the procedure it can cost anywhere from $1,000 – $2,000 – which really isn’t that much in the grand scheme of things, at least when it comes to home renovation and improvement.

The Canadian Cancer Society and College of the Rockies are Offering a Radon Training Program

That’s why it’s great news to hear that the Canadian Cancer Society and the College of the Rockies have partnered up to host an exclusive radon training course on measurement and mitigation. The certification course will run a total of five-days, beginning this October. It has been designed specifically for building professionals, home inspectors, construction and renovation workers and those aspiring to enter one of those industries.

Jenny Byford, Health Promotion Coordinator with the Canadian Cancer Society says it’s the first course of its kind to be offered in the area.

“This is the first course of its kind to be offered in the East Kootenays. It’s really going to help the area so that there are trained professionals locally who can provide mitigation to homes that do have levels that are high. The homeowner will have an option that is local and they don’t have to be hiring someone from out of the province or as far away as Vancouver.”

The sad part is, exposure to radon can be easily prevented. It takes long term exposure to cause significant damage to the body. Although, there are no symptoms of radon poisoning and most lung cancer symptoms don’t appear until it’s too late.

“The higher levels that you’re exposed to for long periods of time can increase your risk for developing lung cancer. Radon accounts for about 16 per cent of lung cancer deaths and it is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.”

Radon Training Should Help Boost Awareness

Since radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless the only way to identify its presence is to test specifically for it.

The radon training course will hopefully raise awareness about the problem within the industry. Those who participate will receive a combination of theory and hands-on training for measurement and mitigation procedures. When all is said and done, those who attended will be able to write the National Radon Proficiency Program’s Certification Exam in order to become qualified to perform radon testing and mitigation in Canada homes.

The course will run from October 20 – 24, 2014 but it does depend on interest. In other words, if it does not generate enough interest it won’t be happening. If you’d like to register or find out more about the training you can contact Jenny Byford at Jenny Byford at (250)-426-8916 or [email protected].

Via: The Free Press

Poster by Ali MaCall Jenkins

Students in Utah will be using their talents to help spread awareness about the dangers of radon gas. The 2014 National Radon Poster Contest is now open and children between the ages of 9-14 that are enrolled at a public, private, territorial, tribal Department of Defense or home school are eligible to enter. In addition, members of a sponsored club in art, computer, science or 4-H can also participate in the contest.

There are no entry fees, but only one entry per student is allowed. The deadline for all entries is October 3^rd, 2014 and the winners will be notified on December 10.

Students must create a poster or flyer that associates the dangers of radon with their drawing or sketch. They’re not just doing it all for fame and fortune however, there are some pretty good prizes for those who win. Utah state contest winners will receive $300, and their school or organization will receive $500. Second and third-place winners will both receive $100.

In other words, there’s nothing to lose if you live in Utah. You might as well encourage your children to read up on the dangers of radon and whip something up.

The Dangers of Radon: The 2014 National Radon Poster Contest

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and as such it’s responsible for more than 20,000 deaths each year. It is released by elements in the soil such as Uranium when they undergo radioactive decay. It can seep into a home through cracks in the foundation, walls or floor and build up inside the residence contaminating the air quality.

The US EPA has set a recommended action limit of 4 pCi/L which means if the radon level is that high – or higher – in a residence it needs to be removed. Radon can be removed easily by installing a mitigation system in the home which just vents the gas outside.

If left unchecked, radon can sneak into a person’s lungs where it will remain – it attaches to the inner linings. As it decays over time, it poisons the body causing serious harm.

The biggest problem with radon is that there are no symptoms of radon poisoning. Worse yet, there are no symptoms of lung cancer either until it’s too late. Most people that are diagnosed with lung cancer have already passed the curable stage.

Since radon is odorless, tasteless and colorless the only way to discover its presence is to test specifically for it. Unfortunately, most people have no idea the problem even exists and the ones that do are afraid it will be costly to fix. On the contrary, because testing for radon is relatively cheap even if you hire a professional to do the work. Mitigation systems can cost anywhere from $1,000 – $2,000 depending on what equipment or venting process is used. After you factor in the damage that radon gas can cause to your body and your family $2,000 is a very small price to pay.

Via: Deseret News

Image by Mike Licht

When it comes to real estate, the homeowners are obligated to provide radon testing information before completing a transaction in most states. In circumstances where no information is available, the buyer can generally convince the seller to pay for testing – and potential issues – as part of the sale. The minor details can be ironed out between the buyer and seller with the help of realtors, home inspectors and contractors.

Testing a bank owned property for radon is a different story entirely.

What Happens With Bank Owned Properties?

Unfortunately, when a transaction involves a bank owned property it’s the buyer’s responsibility to test a home and take action if necessary. This is because most foreclosures, or bank owned properties are sold as-is. Depending on the state, the seller is not required to provide information about the home such as radon test results.

Luckily, it’s relatively inexpensive to have a home tested for radon. In addition, if a problem is discovered, a mitigation system can usually be put into place for anywhere from $1,000 – $2,000. As far as costs go for renovations or repairs, radon mitigation is a pretty cheap and easy fix.

On some rare occassions, the bank owned properties will be covered by different things such as radon issues, structural damage and more. That said, it’s the exception more than it is the rule. If you’re looking for homes and one you’re interested in is bank owned, be aware that you may have to pay for testing and mitigation out of pocket. As mentioned above though, neither of those things are expensive.

Testing a Bank Owned Property for Radon

If you handle the home inspection process properly you may be able to get the home tested for radon at the same time. However, short term tests are less accurate than long term ones and they will not provide an average radon level reading in most cases. They will simply tell you whether or not there’s a potential problem

Even if a short term test returns elevated readings, we recommend testing at least one more time at a later date and then perhaps even performing a long term test. For peace of mind, you can hire a mitigation contractor to test the property and they will decide what kind of test to use. A lot of times they will even bring the appropriate equipment to give you in-depth readings on the spot – whereas most DIY tests require the air samples to be mailed to a remote lab. Tests that are mailed, take a bit longer to be returned and are not ideal for fast moving real estate transactions.

One of the most common places the deadly gas called radon can be found in a home is the basement or sub-levels. It seeps up from the ground beneath through cracks in the foundation, walls or floors. The only way to discover if radon is a problem or not is to test specifically for it. We recommend hiring a radon mitigation professional to conduct the tests.

Radon is released when uranium undergoes radioactive decay, which resides in soil and rocks underground. The air pressure in a home is often lower than the pressure of the ground underneath, so it acts like a vacuum, sucking the radon inside. Once inside a home, the radon can collect in large quantities slowly affecting the residents within.

It is the second leading cause of lung cancer the world over. The only thing that increases the risk for lung cancer more than long-term exposure to radon is tobacco smoke – but only direct contact. Secondhand smoke actually poses a lower risk than radon exposure.

It often makes its way into a home and collects in the lowest areas. That said, it can spread through the entirety of a home and if left unchecked it can grow to dangerously high levels. In fact, it is estimated that 1 out of every 15 homes in the US has an unhealthy amount of radon within.

While radon does commonly plague lower levels such as a basement it does not mean homes without them are free from potential problems. The gas can get into any home regardless of age, makeup or location. Most newer homes are developed using radon resistant construction measures, but it doesn’t always work out like it’s supposed to.

In places where radon is a big problem, mitigation systems are necessary. While most require the test results to be sent to a remote location and take weeks to return, there is a method that can be done relatively quickly. Provided the hired mitigation professional has the proper equipment, they can install a computer based testing system in the home temporarily and print the results locally. In other words, the test results can be viewed almost instantly – after the testing period has completed obviously.

This is one of the main reasons we recommend hiring a mitigation professional to handle the testing process instead of doing it yourself.

Image by the University of Liverpool

Radon gas is a common – and silent – killer all across the world. In the United States, it accounts for more than 21,000 deaths every year and the same holds true for England according to a 2010 SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results) analysis. It’s a natural decay product of various elements that reside in the soil such as uranium. Once emitted, radon gas can seep into a home through cracks in the foundation, walls and floors.

One of the only ways to discover the presence of radon is to test for it specifically. To remove it from a home or residence, a radon mitigation system must be installed. There are several types available, but essentially they all vent the gas out into the open air and out of a residence.

Researchers Developed a Molecular Cage to Filter Dangerous Gases Such as Radon

Thanks to some new research however, we may soon be able to filter toxic gases out of a home including radon. While gas filtering has been around for quite some time, lower concentration gases are more difficult to vent this way. Researchers at the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have produced a new type of material that can filter through atomic selectivity. What that means is that the filter system uses a special type of molecule, called CC3, to trap atomic gas particles of a specific size. Atoms or particles with different dimensions than the filtration system are allowed to pass through freely.

“By a process of adsorption – where molecules or atoms stick onto the surface – the right gas molecules are held in place, while others such as water or nitrogen are released.”

It works as a sort of molecular cage to trap various atoms. The practice itself has been around, but it has never been applied to noble gases.

The Technology May Be Used in the Future to Eliminate Dangerous Gases in Homes

Of course, at this time the research is only being used to study the cage structure and process. It will be quite some time before we see it being applied in the real world. Unfortunately, that means for the time being there will be no radon filtration systems, outside of exisiting mitigation measures which simply vent the gas – as opposed to blocking it out.

That said, this is great news for the future. As home manufacturers are required to incorporate radon resistant construction in new homes, it’s possible these CC3 atom cages may also become commonplace someday.

If you’d like to read more on the topic, you can visit the University of Liverpool website.

It turns out that radon exposure may eventually be linked to more forms of cancer other than lung cancer – which has one of the highest mortality rates of the disease.

Radon Linked to PV, a Rare Form of Blood Cancer

Pennsylvania homes in counties such as Carbon, Luzerne and Schuylkill have been found to exhibit elevated levels of radioactive toxins in the air and soil, such as radon gas. The information was unveiled in a report from the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The findings are a direct result of research which was sparked by a high rate of a rare form of blood cancer. An unusually high number of residents have been diagnosed with polycythemia vera (PV), which – as mentioned – is a very uncommon form of cancer. After conducting thorough research, ATSDR has radon linked to the linked problem.

Polycythemia is a disorder that affects bone marrow, leading to an abnormal increase in the number of the patient’s blood cells. As a result too many red blood cells are produced in the body, and sometimes even the number of white blood cells and platelets may also increase.

Elevated Radium Levels in the Local Soil and Air Were Found

Lora Werner, director of ATSDR in the region is worried that the elevated levels may be a health concern for local residents.

“ATSDR considers the exposures to radon gas in indoor air at these homes to be of public health concern and encourages residents living in the study area to have their homes tested.”

Per the request of ATSDR, the PA state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) collected soil and air samples from various homes in the affected area which layered three counties from Tamaqua, McAdoo and Hazleton. This was primarily due to the concentration of diagnosed cancer cases in the area.

Elevated radon levels were discovered in the soil and air samples, as well as private well water samples. If you weren’t already aware, radon can also seep into a home through the water supply just like it can through cracks in the foundation, walls and floors. Although, it is less likely to gather in abundance due to water transfer it is still certainly possible for elevated levels to amass from it.

Residents Should Test Their Home for the Presence of Radon

ATSDR recommends that all residents with homes in the air have their residence tested for the presence of radon. We recommend testing twice a year, once in the summer and another time in the winter. However, if there is the possibility of an elevated presence of the gas – such as the one outlined by ATSR – it is important that you have your home tested as soon as possible.

Start with short term tests, and conduct a long-term test if elevated levels are discovered after the others. Contrary to popular belief you can purchase DIY testing kits for relatively cheap at any hardware store and online. You can have licensed professionals conduct a test but it’s not necessary. Just follow the appropriate rules and guidelines for testing your home.

Via: Standard Speaker

When discussing the dangers of radon, it’s easy to dismiss the problem as being relevant only to homeowners. The reality – or gravity of the situation if you want to be more specific – is that most people, including homeowners have absolutely no idea what radon is or what dangers its presence poses.

Breathing Easier, Eliminate Air Pollution in Your Home

Image by Iowa Cancer Consortium

Awareness is a big thing when it comes to preventing problems like this. Carbon monoxide is talked about often, so a lot of people know about it – but radon is actually an even bigger problem. When you go to a physician or various health based websites there are a lot of mentions of other dangers in the home, but somehow radon is often overlooked.

Believe it or not, if more physicians know about the problem and are aware of its dangers they can make recommendations to patients. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, which has an extremely high mortality rate. This is because by the time patients show symptoms of lung cancer, its passed beyond a curable state.

The problem can be prevented easily and by using fairly expensive means like a mitigation system if a high levels are identified. That is the biggest issue, most people are unaware there’s even a problem in their home until its too late. There are so many stories about the families of patients researching radon after a loved one has already been diagnosed with lung cancer, or worse.

Breathing Easier, Informational Video About Radon for Physicians

This video from the Iowa Cancer Consortium aims to raise the awareness about radon and bring attention to the problem by educating any and all physicians across the country.

The official page for the video provides lots of detailed information about the dangers of radon including a whole slew of case studies about the problems associated with the deadly gas an its link to lung cancer.

Also, on the site there are several printable flyers that provide information about radon. It’s a good idea to hang them around your office if your a physician, or simply pass them out to doctors if you’re a patient. The more people that know about radon, the more lives will be saved from the terrible disease of lung cancer.

It goes without saying, if you haven’t already had your home or business tested for the presence of radon do it as soon as possible. It takes time to test, as the air sample must be collected over an extended period of time, and then it also takes time to send the test results to the lab and receive them back. Just think, you could be exposed to high levels of radon during that period, all the while increasing your risk of lung cancer.