We’ve said it again and again: radon gas is extremely hazardous to you and your family’s health therefore you should test your home for it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, most people are unaware the problem exists and those that do know about it have no clue just how severe it is. That explains why radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for more than 20,000 American deaths each year. That’s a pretty huge number. If that doesn’t get you concerned this will, every one in fifteen homes in the country have elevated levels of radon gas inside.
It can increase the risk for lung cancer, but it can actually cause a wide variety of chronic respiratory and health problems after long-term exposure too. Don’t just take our word that radon is something to worry about, listen to one of the experts.
WRVO Public Media Hosts Interview Radon Expert John Martin from the US EPA
Hosts Linda Lowen and Lorraine Rapp from “Take Care” of WRVO Public Media, spoke to a representative for the Environmental Protection Agency. More specifically, they discussed common concerns about the dangers of radon gas. John Martin, from the EPA was the target of the interview.
Have a look at some of the most interesting parts of the interview, and see what he had to say about the deadly gas.
Linda Lowen: What causes radon? Where does it come from and why is it a health hazard? How does it enter our homes?
John Martin: First of all, radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless gas that occurs as a product of uranium. Most of the radon in indoor air comes from soil underneath the home. So as uranium breaks down, radon gas forms and seeps into the house.
To add to John’s statement, since Uranium – and a few other elements that emit radon particles – are commonly found in the soil and rock under our feet it means radon can be a problem everywhere, regardless of geographical location. It doesn’t even matter if radon isn’t prevalent where you live, it could still potentially be a problem in your home. Worse yet, your neighbor could have elevated levels even if you don’t and vice versa.
Lowen: And how is it detected and measured? What’s acceptable and what’s unacceptable?
John Martin: Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. So the EPA and surgeon general recommend testing all homes, a great way to get a hold of one of these tests is through the New York State Department of Health. Their website is health.ny.gov and these tests are very affordable. They cost typically under $10. I think the average price for them is $8.50. This could be done by a family member or if you prefer there are licensed professionals who can also conduct these tests.
Lorraine Rapp: If there’s uranium in the soil, is it possible that that will actually leak into our water system as well?
John Martin: If your home uses ground water, so you have a well, it is possible that you will have radon in your water as well. So radon gas can dissolve and it can accumulate in ground water. There are also tests that can be done if you do use ground water, if your family uses ground water, and I would urge people to call EPAs safe drinking water hotline. If you just Google EPA’s safe drinking water hotline you can get information about how you can test for radon in your water as well.
Radon is less commonly found in a water supply, so it’s not as much of a problem as the gas. That said, you should definitely have your water tested to be sure. To add to that, granite can also release radon which means your granite countertops, floors or surfaces could also be releasing small amounts of the gas. Although admittedly, the granite based radon is less likely to cause immediate elevated levels in a home. However, any and all radon particles from these sources can eventually accumulate to be a problem, over time.
Radon Expert On Radon Testing and Real Estate Transactions
Rapp: So let’s say you’re buying a house, sometimes through that transaction you’ll find out maybe the home that you’re about to purchase or even sell has a problem with radon. Or maybe you’ve gotten one of these kits and you see the level is higher than what they recommend, once it’s found in the home, what can a home owner do?
John Martin: Well the good news is that if you do have a radon problem it’s relatively easy to fix. There are straightforward, proven, cost-effective methods that can be undertaken. So typically the solution is a 3-inch pipe is installed throughout the house. That draws the radon away from the house and vents it off the roof. If you are somebody who is looking into building a new home, there are methods that you can utilize to make your home radon resistant for new construction.
Radon Expert on Radon Awareness
Lowen: I found it startling that it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Why do you think that most of us don’t know this statistic?
John Martin: That’s right. It is an issue that needs more attention. Not only is it the second leading cause of cancer in the country, it is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. So if you’re a non-smoker and if you are concerned about lung cancer, as you should be, I would urge you to pay more attention to radon and the possibility that your home does have radon.
You can read the original coverage of the interview at WRVO Public Media’s website. If you’re in the western and central New York areas, you can tune-in to the broadcast on Sunday, November 2, at 6:30 PM EST. You can also listen to the broadcast live via the official website (remotely).
The Radon Expert Agrees, You Should Test Your Home ASAP
Meanwhile, get your home tested for radon. Since long-term exposure increases the risk, you want to get a problem taken care of right away. The sooner you figure out if there’s an issue with elevated levels in your home, the sooner you can fix the problem. You can your family deserve to be living in a healthy environment, and breathing clean indoor air.
