Everyone needs to be aware about the dangers of radon. That is exactly why the Senior Wellness Center in Marietta Georgia will be holding a Radon Prevention event for seniors – aged 55 and up – from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on September 9, 2014. If you’re in the area, you should do what you can to attend.
At the event, the Cobb County and UGA Cooperative Extension Services will go through basic information about the dangers of radon, along with some preventative measures to keep your residence safe. The event is completely free, yet registration is required to attend.
What are the Dangers of Radon?
Image by Tristan Schmurr
Radon is the Second Leading Cause of Lung Cancer in the United States. No, scratch that it’s the second leading cause in many countries including Canada and the UK. In the US alone, it accounts for nearly 20,000 deaths every year. 800 of those deaths occur in the state of Georgia where the event is taking place. This is primarily due to the fact that lung cancer has a remarkably high mortality rate. By the time most patients are diagnosed the disease has passed beyond a curable state. Lung cancer symptoms do not start to show until later stages, which makes it difficult to detect until its too late.
There are no direct symptoms of radon poisoning either. However, long term exposure increases the risk of lung cancer, and that risk grows exponentially when the person in question has been exposed to tobacco smoke as well.
The Dangers of Radon
The worse part about radon is that the deadly gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless. In other words, the only way to detect its presence is to test specifically for it. If you have no idea that radon might be an issue or even exists, then there’s no way you’ll ever know your home is unsafe.
If radon tests are conducted, removing the gas is fairly simple. Either the homeowner, landlord or a certified professional can install a mitigation system that vents the radon gas out of the residence. It seeps in through cracks in the foundation, walls and flooring but will do so gradually over time. If a mitigation system is in place – and is installed correctly – it will vent the gas keeping the levels at a safe and livable condition.
The Dangers of Radon Can be Prevented
Again, if you are in the area and you’re over 55 make sure you attend the event – the more folks that understand the dangers of radon, the more lives can be saved. If you do decide to attend the event, please share your knowledge with others and even direct them to websites like this one for more information.
