Date Published: 01/24/2007 [Source]
The American Lung Association Health House program is urging homeowners to start the New Year by having their homes tested for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter homes through the soil or well water. Long-term exposure to radon is believed to cause 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year in the United States, and the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States -- second only to smoking.
Homes found to have elevated radon concentrations can easily be fixed by a qualified radon mitigation contractor. Repair options range from sealing cracks in floors and walls, changing the flow of air into the building, and depressurization systems that move radon away from the home to safely dissipate outdoors.