Radon is a gas that is radioactive and carcinogenic in nature. It's created by the natural decay of uranium in the earth's soil, rocks and water. This cancer causing gas is estimated to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US. The EPA and the Surgeon Generals Office estimate that as many as 20,000 lung cancer fatalities are caused by radon each year. The EPA also estimates that 1 in 3 homes have screening levels that exceed the EPA's recommended level of radon exposure. Many of these homes are exposed to approximately 35 times as much radiation as radioactive waste sites.
Despite the serious nature of radon gas, many homes have levels of radon that go unnoticed. This is because radon has no color and no scent. This odorless gas is not visible to the naked eye and there are no immediate symptoms to alert you of its presence. It usually takes years of radon exposure before any health issues begin to surface. Testing for radon is the only way to know if it exists in your home and at what levels.
For more information on radon, how it effects health, how to test for it, and how to reduce it, look to the following resources.
Radon Basics
Health Effects of Radon Exposure
- Radon and Questions- Information on what condition and diseases radon exposure can cause to the human body.
Radon Reduction
- Radon Overview- Information on radon and how to reduce and get rid of it.
Radon Testing
- Radon Testing- Easy and cost effective ways to perform radon testing.
Save this article to:
back to top