Health departments across the country urged residents to test their homes for radon gas, the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers throughout January. Remember that you can have your home tested any month of the year.
Lungs
Health officials estimate that radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed from the natural decay of uranium and is found in rock, soil and water.
Although radon in outdoor air poses a relatively low risk to human health, it can enter homes from the surrounding soil and become a health hazard inside buildings.
Radon is an invisible gas that has no smell and people often don’t know when this silent killer is in their homes. That is why testing for radon and reducing elevated levels is so important. It saves lives and could potentially save yours and the lives of your loved ones.
Many say that testing in the winter months is best due to the increased time spent in the home during this season compared to others. Testing homes for radon is simple and inexpensive. Typically between $100-$185.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that homes with radon levels at or above 4.0 pCi/L be fixed. Homeowners should consider reducing their potential lung cancer risk by fixing homes with radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.
Smokers exposed to radon have a much higher risk for developing lung cancer. Radon problems can be corrected by qualified radon contractors, with costs typically ranging between $600 and $1,500 depending on the type of system and company. A homeowner should hire a qualified radon mitigation contractor to decrease airborne radon levels.
Throughout the year concerned homeowners can schedule their radon test by calling (816) 565-1991 or (855) 565-1991. The price for a local radon monitoring service which takes 48 hours for results is around $125.
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