Date Published: 04/03/2006 [Source]
Is Your Home at Risk for Radon?
APEX, NC, April 3, 2006 – According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an estimated 1 out of every 15 U.S. homes has elevated levels of radon. Homes in North Carolina's upper piedmont and mountain counties have been shown to be more at risk for elevated levels, according to NC Radon Program. Is your current or potential home at risk? The only way to know for sure is to test your home for radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and chemically inert gas that cannot be detected by human senses. Radon comes from naturally decaying uranium, which is found in nearly all soils. There are two main ways that radon enters your home: through the soil (radon rises from the ground and into the air where it enters through foundation cracks, open soil in crawl spaces, or poorly sealed floor drains) and through the water supply.
On January 13, 2005, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a Health Advisory warning Americans of the health risk caused by indoor radon exposure. Next to smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Studies show that radon is more of a risk to smokers, but nonsmokers have a slightly elevated chance of developing lung cancer as well.
To date, there is no safe level of radon; therefore, any trace of radon in your home poses a health risk. However, lowering the level of radon currently in your home can reduce your risk. Radon levels are measured in picocuries of radon per liter of air or pCi/L. The EPA recommends you install a system to reduce radon gas in your home if the level of radon gas is 4 pCi/L or higher. There are several "do-it-yourself" radon test kits on the market today. Testing is relatively easy and takes a few minutes.