Date Published: 01/19/2007 [Source]
Whatever the situation, during the winter months, when people have their doors and windows closed tight to keep the warm air in and the cold air out, it is imperative that homeowners test their homes for the presence of radon, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health.
"Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is released through bedrock and soil that can be found around the foundation of your home," said Dave Deegan, spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Agency. "Its presence is especially a concern for people who have a basement, whether finished or unfinished, because exposure to the gas over a long period of time can lead to a range of health effects, the most common being lung cancer."