Okay, so the number one cause of lung cancer is smoking, and inhaling second hand smoke is just as bad. It stands to reason that if you don’t smoke you don’t have to worry about lung cancer, right? Don’t fall into a false sense of security like that, because believe it or not radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and many countries over.
At this point, you’re probably thinking oh well, radon isn’t a problem for me I just bought a new home that was built this year. Wrong. Radon is released during the naturally occuring radioactive decay of elements such as Uranium, which commonly exist in soil, rock and even water. In other words, radon gas can seep into any home regardless of geographical location, and composition. Modern homes are built using radon resisistant construction, but that doesn’t make them completely immune to the problem.
Radon can definitely be an issue in your home, apartment, business or residence. You may be living with elevated levels – equal to smoking three packs a day – without even knowing it. That is exactly why it’s imperative that you have your home tested, or test it yourself for the presence of radon.
Test Your Home for Radon Gas, It Increases Your Risk for Lung Cancer
We’re actually in one of two perfect seasons to have your home tested for radon gas. The two best times of the year to test are during the summer and winter months. This is because these are the times of the year that you are least likely to open doors and windows, and it’s also because warm and cold weather have an effect on radon levels.
Always test the lowest livable space in your home. Since radon is a dense gas it remains on the lowest levels more often, but keep in mind that doesn’t mean it won’t be a problem elsewhere. You may find a particular room that has higher levels, especially in larger homes, residences and structures.
For more information on testing, we have plenty of resources available. The real point here is that either you are having your home tested by an experienced professsional, or you’re doing it yourself. The longer you spend with elevated levels the more it increases your risk for lung cancer. In other words, long-term exposure causes the biggest threat to your health so you should take action as soon as possible.
Mitigation May Be Necessary to Prevent Lung Cancer
If elevated levels are discovered in your home above the recommended action limit of 4.0 pCi/L – as set by the US EPA – then mitigation is necessary. This involves installing a ventilation system that removes the radon gas from your home. Generally, they are placed below the foundation and include a vent pipe that releases the radon out into the open air where it can disperse.
For more information on radon mitigation or about radon professionals check out our resources.
