Radon, Run for your Lives?
OK Godzilla may be a little over top. It is not our intent to make light of the radon issue, especially when by some accounts radon poisoning kills 21,000 people in the US each year. (radon-induced lung cancer is thought to be the 6th leading cause of cancer death overall according to Wikipedia)
So hopefully our post today will be a start and provide some resources EPA says for a better understanding of a serious issue for some homeowners. Its should be pointed out that radon has not typically been a southern problem (Lord knows we have our share) but radon is not usually one of them owing to the fact that radon is most prevalent in basements and bedrock — apparently radon does not like red clay. While we usually “don’t do basements” we have our fair share and we do on occasion have radon issues. Keep in kind that there is some chatter about radon in some types of granite.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in all parts of theUS. Radon is a Group A carcinogen and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. The primary concern about indoor radon gas is the increased risk of lung cancer that exists from breathing radon and its byproducts. The magnitude of the risk depends on the radon concentration in the air you breathe and how long you are breathing it. Radon is estimated to be responsible for the death of about 21, 000 people in theUSevery year. TheUSSurgeon General, US EPA, and The American Lung Association recommend that all homes be tested for radon gas.
Radon is a national concern. Soil, sand, and rock underneath the home are the primary sources of indoor radon gas. The soil under a house always contains traces of uranium that eventually decays into radium that then decays directly into radon. This soil constitutes an enormous surface area for release of radon gas into the air and into buildings. Material inside the home, such as concrete, granite, slate, marble, sand, shale and other stones can also contain traces of radium that release radon with varying intensities. The contribution from building materials to the indoor radon concentration is very dependent upon the building ventilation rate.
Diagnostic measurements of the radon in the air you breathe can provide better risk estimates. It is highly recommended that you have a certified residential measurement provider perform the radon gas measurement in your home. All certified measurement providers are aware of testing protocols and have the education necessary to take accurate measurements.
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