Radon Gas Caused 20,000 American Deaths in 2008
According to the American Lung Association, Radon Gas has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer. Obviously, smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. The information is released in conjunction with studies that suggest approximately 20,000 deaths each year in The United States are caused by exposure to radon gas.
Approximately 8 million American homes have elevated radon levels. The Surgeon General is urging all homeowners to test their homes for this Group A carcinogen.
Radon is a gas that develops when radium in rock, soil and water breaks decomposes within the Earth. It then rises up through voids in the ground to escape into the atmosphere. Since radon gas cannot be detected by human senses, the only way to know if a home is contaminated is to conduct a test.
Most of the time, Radon harmlessly dissipates into the atmosphere outdoors and causes no problems. However, it does become a problem when it finds its way into your house.
The Radon gas in the soil under your home collects in the voids and air spaces under the foundation slab and gradually enters the home. It can also enter through cracks in foundations or even through showers and drainage sumps. Most new homes have much better insulation than in the past, of so the Radon gas becomes trapped indoors. So in this case the better insulation and sealing actually works against you.
Approximately 8% of the homes in the U.S. have unidentified radon problems. This statistic makes radon gas the most common indoor Group A Carcinogen.
If you find that your home has a dangerous radon level (which is anything 4.0 or above according to the Environmental Protection Agency) there is no need to panic. Radon levels can be effectively reduced to safe readings by having a radon reduction system installed. This is done by installing pipes through the foundation and attaching them to a suction fan which discharges the gas above the roof of the home. According to Jamey Gelina, a Certified Radon Specialist, “A radon mitigation system can be installed in most homes for around $1,000.
