Date Published: 01/04/2007 [Source]
Although the weather has been kind to the region so far this year, cold and ice and snow are sure to arrive and stay for awhile, causing many of us to retreat to the inside of our homes for much of the season.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates most people spend 90 percent of their time indoors, and at this time of the year, our windows are closed and drafty areas have been sealed with caulk. By winterizing our houses, we decrease ventilation, so indoor air quality becomes a concern, particularly with regard to radon. According to the American Lung Association, nearly one in 15 homes in the U.S. has a high level of indoor radon.
The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths, so if you smoke and your home has high levels of radon, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.