Did you know that January is National Radon Action Month?
Has your home ever been tested for radon? Learn more about radon and the risks it carries for your home and your health.
What is radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas. It is naturally produced by the breakdown of minerals, soil, and rocks. Radon gas enters buildings and houses through cracks in the foundation and other structurally compromised areas. While the production of radon is inevitable, the health damages this gas inflicts can be avoided if the correct precautions are taken.
As radon is a colorless and odorless gas, you may be inhaling it inside your home without even knowing it. Radon gas can become trapped within your lung tissue, leading to serious health complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), radon inhalation is the #2 leading cause of lung cancer (second to cigarette smoking) and is responsible for over 20,000 deaths in the United States yearly.

Minimizing your exposure to radon
Even though the production of radon gas is inevitable, reducing exposure while inside your home is completely within your control. Even if your home is newly built or reconstructed, there could still be high radon levels present. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that 1 in 15 American homes have elevated radon levels. So, where do you begin?
The first and most important step: Get your home tested for radon. Radon levels can be quantified using an at-home test kit or by hiring a home inspector qualified to perform radon testing.
Home radon test kits can be commonly found at hardware stores or can be ordered online. Simply expose the test kit to the air in your home, and then mail the kit to a designated laboratory for processing. Here are two online retailers that offer relatively inexpensive radon test kits: Amazon and Radon.com. Be sure to closely follow the kit’s instructions to ensure accurate results.
Other steps to reduce radon exposure include sealing all foundational cracks and gaps. Also, improve air ventilation and circulation in your home with vent pipes and fans.
Radon exposure can inflict serious harm on your health if high levels go unnoticed. Have your home tested today and be sure to spread the word about National Radon Action Month!
Questions or comments? Contact us toll free at 1-877-734-2458.
For more information on radon exposure and related health complications, please visit the CDC here.
For more information on National Radon Action Month, FAQ, and ways to be proactive about radon exposure, visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and their Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon.
Contact the National Radon Hotline at 1-800-SOS-RADON.